History

Originally formed in 1974 as the Task Force for Ministry to the Black Community, the name was changed to Ethnic Minority Task Force in 1978, Ethnic Minority Commission in 1986, and to Commission on Ethnic Local Church Concerns in 1994.

In harmony with the name changes was the broadening of responsibilities to include ministries to Hispanics, Asians and Native Americans. The goal was, and is, to support and strengthen the racial/ethnic local churches through special programs, including:

• Renovation and Construction of Church Facilities and Parsonages.
• Outreach ministries such as Day Care, Tutorial, Cultural enrichment and religious programs.
• Summer Intern Program: Recruitment of Ethnic Pastoral Candidates.
• Scholarships and Loans to Racial/Ethnic College Students.

A Comprehensive Plan was approved at the 1990 session of Annual Conference to further empower racial/ethnic local churches toward self-sufficiency.

Goals of the Comprehensive Plan are:

1. Study needs and opportunities for new racial/ethnic churches.
2. Encourage the initiation of at least one new ministry in a racial/ethnic community each year.
3. Train and employ racial/ethnic laity and clergy as consultants to racial/ethnic churches.
4. Develop a recruitment program for racial/ethnic ministers.
5. Provide opportunities for leadership development of racial/ethnic laity and clergy.