* FINAL VERSION - Concurred
Resolution:A104
Title:Multicultural Leadership Development
Topic:Diversity
Committee:14 - Ministry
House of Initial Action:Bishops
Proposer:Standing Commission on Ministry Development

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention recognize the importance of cultural diversity in the dioceses; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention affirm the importance of cultural diversity and multicultural leadership development; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention request that dioceses of The Episcopal Church consider a specific yearly budget allocation for the implementation of multicultural leadership development to support a diocesan strategic plan designed for the creation and sustaining of multicultural ministry, utilizing "Meeting on New Ground"; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention reconvene the Task Force that created Meeting on New Ground to study the dioceses involved in such ministry, gather resources for developing and sustaining multicultural ministry and to report on the progress to the 77th General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $10,000 for the implementation of this Resolution.


EXPLANATION

Demographic changes, migration and the ease of global interaction are accelerating, making us aware of the presence of the diverse ethnic groups and calling for the church's response to the growth in numbers of immigrants and their descendants among us. With this comes the opportunity for rich diversity within the church, which raises a question about our preparedness in welcoming and developing leadership for Anglicans coming into the United States. Fundamentally, this is an issue of hospitality, an inclusion of minor groups and those on the fringes who are often neglected. The SCMD believes that multicultural leaders within the church have many gifts to offer, yet they also have specific needs. A directed study and development of 1) a strategic plan, and 2) a budget line item for each diocese will set the church on a course of identifying and cultivating local multicultural ministry.

A national task force on multicultural ministry (members identified and appointed by the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies) will:
1.     Survey the current status of churches that are identified as multicultural;
2.     Study what types of multicultural ministries are there (i.e. ethnic congregation sharing the building, multi-ethnic groups attending services together, liturgies said in different languages, etc.);
3.     Gather stories of successes, struggles and challenges;
4.     Seek out a model ministry that would help integrate and develop such ministries or mission strategies; and
5.     Make reports and resources accessible to the dioceses and parishes interested in forming multicultural ministries.

The workgroup, along with the entire commission, has seen effective ways in which people have been trained and undergone development prior to their ordination. In particular, Fresh Start has been a commendable program for introducing newly ordained people to parish ministry. Therefore, we offer the following Resolution.


* Note: The final language, as well as the final status of each resolution, is being reviewed by the General Convention office. The Journal of the 76th General Convention and the Constitution and Canons will be published once the review process has been completed.