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This book examines the role of American churches, particularly the United Methodist Church (UMC), in perpetuating a mindset of segregation and normalizing whiteness. Focusing on the UMC s Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural (CR/CC) appointments, it critiques the need to address racial and cultural challenges to prevent erasure, silencing, and forced assimilation. Highlighting the experiences of Asian American clergy, the book explores both the opportunities and obstacles faced in Mainline church contexts. Introducing the concept of re(de)fined Christian Conferencing, it emphasizes the importance of integrating and honoring diverse narratives, particularly through the Transformative Community Conferencing framework. This narrative mediation approach challenges white cultural norms within the UMC, advocating for collaboration between predominantly white congregations and non-white clergy. Through a case study of a New York UMC congregation, the book demonstrates the potential for real change and provides actionable steps for meaningful transformation within one of the U.S.'s largest mainline denominations.
List of contents
Chapter 1. Toward the Beloving Community.- Chapter 2. White Normativity in the United States of America.- Chapter 3. White Normativity in the United Methodist Church.- Chapter 4. Addressing White Normativity at a local UMC congregation by re(de)fining Christian Conferencing.- Chapter 5. Addressing White Normativity at a local UMC congregation by rethinking Christian Conferencing utilizing Transformative Community Conferencing.- Chapter 6. Reframing Christian Conferencing with a help of Transformative Community Conferencing to set a movement toward transformation in a Local United Methodist Church.- Chapter 7. Assessing the Christian Conferencing.- Chapter 8. From a local United Methodist Church Congregational Strategy to a Denominational Approach and Beyond.- Chapter 9. A Public Theologian/Historian? An Ecclesial Activist/Prophet? A Community Activist/Economist? A Pan-Ethnic Cook? Creating a Racial Understanding for Asian American In the U.S.A.- Conclusion. And Are We Yet Beloving?.
About the author
Rev. Dr. Steve (Young Dong) Kim, a 1.5-generation Korean American ordained Elder in the New York Annual Conference, is deeply committed to innovative approaches to ministry, with a focus on racial justice and peace, and inclusion. He serves as a co-chair of the Racial Justice Task Force of the Korean Ministry Plan of the United Methodist Church and a vice-chair of the Commission on Religion and Race of the New York Annual Conference. He is a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), practicing his dedication to genuine belonging and compassionate mutuality. He is presently engaged in the “In-Jeong Project,” an initiative of the Racial Justice Task Force that seeks to address racism for the Korean Americans as Asian Americans in the U.S. Outside of ministry, Steve cherishes time with his wife Rose, a talented violinist and a music educator, and their three children, Joseph, Daniel, and Miriel, enjoying board games, baseball, and the joys of parenthood.
Summary
This book examines the role of American churches, particularly the United Methodist Church (UMC), in perpetuating a mindset of segregation and normalizing whiteness. Focusing on the UMC’s Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural (CR/CC) appointments, it critiques the need to address racial and cultural challenges to prevent erasure, silencing, and forced assimilation. Highlighting the experiences of Asian American clergy, the book explores both the opportunities and obstacles faced in Mainline church contexts. Introducing the concept of re(de)fined Christian Conferencing, it emphasizes the importance of integrating and honoring diverse narratives, particularly through the Transformative Community Conferencing framework. This narrative mediation approach challenges white cultural norms within the UMC, advocating for collaboration between predominantly white congregations and non-white clergy. Through a case study of a New York UMC congregation, the book demonstrates the potential for real change and provides actionable steps for meaningful transformation within one of the U.S.'s largest mainline denominations.
