Survey to help shape 'future of urban ministry'

A UMNS Report By Linda Bloom*

Ten years ago, the United Methodist Church adopted a strategy called "Holy Boldness" to shape the denomination's ministry in urban areas of the United States.

Now, as United Methodists prepare for the meeting of the 2008 General Conference, their top legislative body, that plan is being evaluated and revised.

To assist in the process, a survey, "Shaping the Future of Urban Ministry," is being conducted by the Office of Urban Ministry, United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, and the related National Urban Strategy Council.

The questionnaire can be found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=375832674837 through Jan. 31. Concerns raised at a luncheon during the denomination's 2006 International Clergywomen's Consultation last August in Chicago showed the need for such a survey, according to Diane Johnson, staff executive for the Office of Urban Ministry.

Johnson provided support for the Rev. Karen Vannoy, pastor of Travis Park United Methodist Church in San Antonio, who convened the luncheon for some 90 clergywomen. Bishop Janice R. Huie, president of the denomination's Council of Bishops, led the discussion and expressed her own lack of experience with urban ministry, Johnson said.

Other women agreed, asking for more diversity in the resources available for urban ministries; a focus on the legacy of racism and classism; better training for urban churches, particularly to work with inner city youth; an emphasis on lay leadership and the possibility of lay missionaries; attention to issues of urban decline and gentrification and other efforts to focus on urban needs and concerns.

Reviewing the comments, Johnson said she found "the need for more information, more networking, and more how-to steps." She also sees an opportunity to connect with United Methodists outside the United States who are dealing with urban concerns.

One of the issues raised as the Holy Boldness plan is revised is what the term "urban" actually means, she added. While the United Methodist Book of Discipline defines an urban population as 50,000 people or more, such groupings of population can now be found even in formerly rural areas as suburbs expand into "exurbs," defined as regions lying beyond the suburbs of a city.

The focus of the Office of Urban Ministry, she said, remains on downtown urban areas and first-ring suburbs.

Johnson's office and the National Urban Strategy Council collaborated with the United Methodist Board of Discipleship to create the survey. As of late November, about 400 responses had been received, she reported. A tabulation of responses is expected in February.

The survey collects geographic data and asks "a broad range of questions" about the types of ministries being offered by local churches, districts and annual (regional) conferences and what their needs are, particularly in terms of resourcing and networking through the denomination. Respondents have opportunities to comment throughout the survey and Johnson has found that, "in some instances, people are just happy to vent."

In addition to the online survey for clergy and laity, a survey aimed at United Methodist bishops will be sent out in January, probably by mail. A third survey is designed for the three seminaries cooperating with the Office of Urban Ministry and the council.

The research, including survey results, will provide a revised and refined urban ministry plan tentatively called "Holy Boldness: Pathways to Transformation" (referred to as "Transformation" in the survey.)

According to Johnson, the new plan will focus more on the "how-tos" of urban ministries and include a manual to assist churches, districts and conferences. She can be contacted via email at dhjohnson@gbgm-umc.org for more information.

*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in New York.