Church and Society

As part of the mission of the United Methodist Church to make disciples for Jesus Christ, we share a hope for transforming the world into a place in which poverty ceases to exist, people are treated fairly and justly, all are cared for, and the world is a place of peace and creation.

The General Board of Church and Society is a mission of the Church dedicated to this transformed world, and The Troy Conference Board of Church and Society serves as a connection between the general board and the conference, district and local church. Both the General and Conference Board of Church and Society relate “the gospel of Jesus Christ to the members of the Church and to the persons and structures of the communities and world in which they live. It shall seek to bring the whole of human life, activities, possessions, use of resources, and community and world relationships into conformity with the will of God. It shall show the members of the Church and the society that the reconciliation that God effect through Christ involves personal, social and civic righteousness.” (¶1002, Section IV, the 2004 United Methodist Book of Discipline)

UMC-related resources for discussing health care reform

courtesy Jeanne Torrence Finley, Co-Chair, Virginia Conference Board of Church and Society

 2008 Book of Resolutions
  •     Resolution 3201 "Health Care for All in the United States"
  •     Resolution 3202  "Health and Wholeness
The Social Principles
 
    Paragraph 162 V. "The Right to Health Care"
    
Other UMC-related links
United Methodist News Service Articles and Special Coverage

Church and Society:

  • Challenge members of to work through their own churches, ecumenical channels and society toward personal, social and civic righteousness
  • Assist by provided needed resources in areas of such concerns
  • Analyze the issues that confront people communities, nations and the world
  • Encourage Christian lines of action that assist human kind to move toward a world where peace and justice are achieved

(¶1003, Section IV, the 2004 United Methodist Book of Discipline)

The Troy Conference Board of Church and Society is working on the following issues:

  • Peace with Justice
  • Teaching the Social Principles and the Social Creed
  • Eco-Justice
  • Worker Justice
    • Sweat Free Communities
    • Fair Trade
  • AIDS/HIV
  • Opposition to gambling expansion
  • Advocacy
    • against the death penalty
    • for the Ignition Interlock Legislative Initiative in the New York State Legislature and similar
    • bills supporting strengthening drunk driving laws

For more information on the Troy Conference work on these issues, contact the Rev. Steve Smith or Ed Bennett, co-chairs of the Conference Board of Church and Society.

The General Board of Church and Society

The General Board of Church and Society has set the following six priorities for action:

  • End the War in Iraq
  • Fight the Global AIDS Pandemic
  • Support Just Immigration Reform
  • Protect the Endangered Species Act
  • Increase the Minimum Wage
  • Oppose Gambling Expansion

The Board offers resources on the social, economic, political, nurturing, natural and world community, including:

Resources

ACT TODAY! an on-line advocacy community and receive updates and opportunities to act on the latest social justice issues.

National Council of Churches offers resources on:

  • Reducing Poverty
  • Practicing Ecumenism
  • Pursuing Racial Justice
  • Working for Peace
  • Building Interfaith Relationships
  • Protecting the Earth
  • Overcoming Violence
  • Addressing Global Issues

Interfaith IMPACT of New York State

Human Rights Watch, Women’s Division, GBGM

Vermont Ecumenical Council and Bible Society