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In an effort to bring growth and increased vitality to the Baltimore Area churches, the Baltimore-Washington Conference is initiating five ambitious steps.

The steps, Bishop John Schol said in an announcement at Epworth Chapel UMC in Baltimore Feb. 13, commits resources to and focus on reviving the place where Methodism had its start in the United States. It will create vital Acts 2 churches and serve as a vehicle for community transformation.

The plan includes: appointing a team of outstanding pastors to churches; providing financial resources for up to four associate pastors in African American churches (two of whom will serve in the Baltimore Area); creating a director of urban ministry position for Baltimore to address homelessness and other issues, starting five churches or second-site ministries and devoting resources to Shalom-centered ministries.

During the last 30 years, more than 30 United Methodist churches have been closed in the Baltimore Area. No black churches in Baltimore report having more than 300 people in worship on Sunday and many congregations have lost the impact they once had in their communities.

In his announcement, the bishop quoted Rev. Martin Luther King’s thoughts on “the fierce urgency of now,” and called upon United Methodists to join him in vigorous and positive action.

Text of Bishop Schol’s Announcement

Five Steps to Increase the Vitality of the Black Church in Baltimore

Seek the Shalom of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its shalom you will find your shalom. –Jeremiah 29:7

Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable.... We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history there is such a thing as being too late... This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action. -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The time is now. In the Baltimore Area, we closed more than 30 churches in the last 30 years. We watched once strong congregations in the Baltimore Area dwindle in size and impact in the city and community. Today, the Baltimore-Washington Conference is making a commitment to revive the place where Methodism had its start in the United States. We are called to be an audacious people - a people ready to use the resources, the assets of our churches and communities to create communities of Shalom and vital Acts 2 congregations. Today I announce five steps we will take with God’s help to renew the Baltimore Area.

1. A team of pastors is being appointed in the Baltimore Area to serve together to increase vitality in congregations, grow the United Methodist witness and partner in transformational community development in the Baltimore Area. This team includes Rev. Anthony Hunt, Epworth Chapel, Rev. Bruce Haskins, John Wesley, and Rev. Amy Peed McCullough, Grace. In the coming weeks the cabinet will make several additional Baltimore appointments as we build a team with expertise in congregational and community development to revitalize congregations, renew communities and revitalize our witness in the Baltimore Area. 
2. Sandy Ferguson, Baltimore-Washington Conference staff person for mission and justice, will focus most of her time, energy and talents on Baltimore. We will also hire a person to focus on Washington, DC as part of the Baltimore-Washington’s commitment to transform urban areas. These directors for urban ministry in their respective cities will focus on urban strategy, raise money for congregational outreach, and identify how we will develop property to provide permanent supportive housing for the homeless. The directors of urban ministry will work with and through United Methodist congregations.
3. The Baltimore-Washington Conference will allocate funds for the next five years to support up to 4 new associate pastor positions in African American congregations so that the congregations grow to more than 400 and then 500 in worship attendance. Two of these new associate positions are dedicated for the Baltimore Area, and the two others include one in Washington, DC and one in Prince Georges County.
4. We will start at least five new congregations or second campus ministries in the Baltimore Region. A second campus ministry is one in which a strong vital congregation operates with a second site to reach new people for Christ. We expect these new faith communities will be worshipping 200 or more within five years.
5. Focus our resources in the Baltimore Area to support congregations that are engaged in Shalom ministries – ministries that are working with other churches, community groups and businesses to develop healthier communities.

These are some initial steps. We will meet with the pastors and lay leadership in the Baltimore Area to further identify how we will collaborate to grow vital Acts 2 congregations and transform communities.

The Rev. Dr. Anthony Hunt will continue as a superintendent for the Baltimore Metropolitan District but with reduced responsibilities starting July 1, so that he can focus on Epworth Chapel. This appointment will continue for one year and on July 1, 2012, Rev. Hunt will conclude his term as superintendent and will continue to serve Epworth Chapel.

We invite you to pray for the ministry in the Baltimore Area. We also ask congregations and laity to prayerfully consider partnering with Baltimore congregations. By working together we will increase our witness in the Baltimore Area.