The North Carolina Conference Board of Ordained Ministry is committed to anti-racism and to ongoing practices of review, reflection, and learning as we engage with candidates throughout the licensing and ordination process.
In order to hold ourselves accountable and for greater transparency, we are eager to share the following update with United Methodists throughout the NC Conference.
In August 2020, the BOM gathered for its quadrennial training session. We welcomed 17 new members, with the following demographic breakdown:
Females: 31
Males: 22
Asian: 2
Black: 6
Hispanic / Latino: 2
Native American: 1
White: 43
Laity: 12
Clergy: 41
Members under the age of 35: 6
As a part of this training, the Rev. Ismael Ruiz-Millán led us in an introduction to Cultural Humility. Since this meeting, BOM members have completed the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), and will go over their results in one-on-one meetings. Learn more about Cultural Humility and the IDI here. In early 2021, Rev. Ruiz-Millán will share an overview of the aggregate results with the Executive Committee of the BOM, and will also work with the seven Discernment Teams on the BOM as they discuss their team results.
Additionally, the newly formed BOM Anti-Racism Task Force will spend extended time over the next year evaluating our processes and requirements, learning and naming where white supremacy culture is infecting our work, seeking tangible ways to be anti-racist in our engagement with candidates, and offering opportunities for candidates to reflect on their practices of and leadership toward anti-racism in their own contexts. Members of this task force include current BOM members, former BOM members, and pastors who have more recently completed the ordination process. They are:
Joe Mann
Marilyn Boyce
Jessie Larkins
Ben Roberts
Crystal DesVignes
Ismael Ruiz-Millán
Sangwoo Kim
Margaret Brunson
Laura Fine Ledford
We believe that data tells a story and is important as we continue to shepherd our candidates. To that end, we are evaluating data from the past five years, related to those who have been approved or delayed for commissioning or ordination, including the reason for delay in those cases. This data should be available to the BOM and shared with the Conference in early 2021.
Thank you to the voices that are calling us to uncover what is unhealthy in our practices, and to the voices teaching us to engage as we move forward. This work is a gift, as it helps us to know deeper truths and to love our neighbor well. It will, we believe, help to set each of us free.
Respectfully submitted,
The Rev. Sangwoo Kim, BOM Secretary
Dr. Margaret Brunson, BOM Vice-Chair
The Rev. Laura Fine Ledford, BOM Chair