An Urgent Calling

Honor the humanity, racial identity, uniqueness and sacred worth of everyone as we live out our baptismal vow.

As baptized Christians, we renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of our sin. We accept the freedom and power God gives us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves. We confess Jesus Christ as our Savior, put our whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as our Lord, in union with the Church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races.

Goal: End the sin of racism in GNJ

GNJ will dismantle systems and structures within the church that perpetuate racism.

5 Keystone Measures

  1. 50 trained GNJ trainers and facilitators who are actively engaged with 150 congregations that are developing and engaging in A Journey of Hope Plan by September 2022.
  2. At least 50% of GNJ agency chairpersons are People of Color by June 2023 and the number of African American/Black and Hispanic/Latino clergy elders are doubled, and the number of all Clergy of Color is increased by June 2025.
  3. 25 new ethnic congregations (at least 10 African American) by using new technologies and innovative strategies, and strengthen the worship, ministry and finances of 10 existing congregations of color by December 2025.
  4. A handbook of all existing GNJ policies and procedures that have been reviewed and updated to ensure GNJ’s policies and procedures create a culture of racial justice, inclusion and equity by February of 2022.
  5. $4.1 million investment in the health and vitality of GNJ through debt forgiveness, equitable salary and shared ministry apportionment and billables in low income communities by December 2023.

Read A Journey of Hope Plan and Legislation

  • A Journey of Hope Plan

    A Journey of Hope Plan

    GNJ is committed to a just, inclusive and equitable church working together to end the sin of racism. The Journey of Hope Plan was prepared for the 2020 Annual Conference with legislation for GNJ to dismantle systems and structures within the church that perpetuate racism.

    Updated 8.13.21