June 2020 — pg. 11
FMCUSA Position Paper Provides
Wisdom and Guidance on Racial Unity
“Racial Unity” is the second in a series of position papers
authorized by the Board of Bishops of the Free Methodist
Church – USA. These papers provide a basis for shared and
common language regarding vital issues of our day. LIGHT +
LIFE magazine will publish these throughout the year.
The Free Methodist Church is “committed to the dignity
and worth of all persons” (Paragraph 3221 of the 2019 Book
of Discipline). The Apostle John put his vision into these
words, “After this I looked, and there before me was a great
multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe,
people and language, standing before the throne and before
the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding
palm branches in their hands” (Revelation 7:9).
If racial unity is to be realized in the world, it must first
be realized and harmoniously portrayed in the people of
God. Yet sadly, there is much to be done to align our hearts
and minds in such a way to achieve such harmony. The
multifaceted sin of racism must be put to death through the
healing work of the Holy Spirit in those who call themselves
Christian.
“Racial Unity” provides wisdom and guidance designed to be
applied and adopted into our lives as followers of Jesus, and
into our practices within the Free Methodist Church.
The Board of Bishops wishes to thank Rev. Kristy Hinds and
Rev. Dr. Trisha Welstad for authoring this paper, and Rev.
Dr. Michael Traylor and Rev. Dr. Robert Marshall for their
contributions to further refine and clarify the language in
this important document.
May we live in love with our neighbors — all neighbors — in
true unity.
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