06/20/2012

Rev. Dr. Tracy Smith Malone presents the SBC21 Comprehensive Plan at the 2012 Annual Conference.

Following a presentation from the Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century Design Team, the members of the Northern Illinois conference voted to adopt the SBC21 Comprehensive Plan at the 2012 Annual Conference.

According to Chicago Southern District Superintendent, the Rev. Dr. Tracy Smith-Malone, “the Design Team (consisting of twelve clergy and four laity) was formed in June of 2011 and given the task of developing a strategic and comprehensive plan for strengthening existing Black churches and planting new Black churches in the conference.”

“The vision and development of the plan are prime examples of the United Methodist connection at work,” said the Rev. Chris Pierson, Director of Connectional Ministries. Pierson and Rev. Martin Lee, Director of Congregational Development and Redevelopment, began over two years ago. The goal was to envision how they might work cooperatively with National SBC 21 under the leadership of Dr. Fred Allen, Chicago BMCR, Bishop Jung and the NIC Cabinet to help to fulfill in our midst the mission of SBC 21 “to transform, revitalize, nurture, build and sustain strong Black Congregations for making a greater and more prophetic witness for Jesus Christ in the world today.”

SBC 21 was such a natural fit with much of what we hope to see come to fruition through Harvest 2020 by building new faith communities, strengthening, engaging, equipping, and deploying leaders to transform their churches, their communities, and the world.

In April of 2011, Bishop Hee-Soo Jung and the extended Cabinet invited Dr. Fred Allen, National Director of SBC 21, to our conference to introduce the program concept and training opportunities around worship, stewardship, and evangelism and over 150 lay and clergy leaders responded to the call and engaged one another around issues of pain but also of hope for the future.

According to Smith-Malone hours were spent dreaming together, drafting and revising goals, strategies, and plans of action; before presenting the SBC 21 Comprehensive Plan. Among the goals are an emphasis on youth and young adult leadership, church growth, and a conference commitment to urban ministry.

For a more detailed look at the Comprehensive Plan the Main document by clicking on the SBC Strategic Plan. Click here for the Appendices.