The Religion and Social Change Lab at Duke University has published Witnessing the Wounds: BIPOC Clergy in the UMC Reflect on Their Callings, Careers, and Pastoral Experiences, primarily authored by Rev. Dr. Fatimah Salleh. It reflects on the experiences and challenges faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) clergy in The United Methodist Church, highlighting themes of identity, racial exclusion, and the need for systemic change within the church.
- 17 BIPOC clergy from North Carolina UMCs were interviewed, including 12 Black, 3 Latine, and 2 Asian/Asian American.
- Many clergy expressed feelings of racial exclusion and negative experiences within the UMC, impacting their sense of identity.
- Some clergy still find value in UMC theology, particularly John Wesley’s teachings on grace. “In the cases where clergy felt that United Methodism was important to their identity, they often spoke about the theology of the church, most highlighted was John Wesley’s beliefs about God’s grace, as what resonated with them and, therefore, their identity.”
- Approximately 25% of clergy indicated plans to leave the UMC due to racism.