SOUTHEASTERN JURISDICTION
BLACK METHODISTS FOR CHURCH RENEWAL, INC. CONSTITUTION
Article I
Name
Section 1: The name of this organization shall be the Southeastern Jurisdiction Black
Methodists for Church Renewal, Inc., hereinafter referred to as SEJ BMCR. Article II
Purpose
The purpose of SEJ BMCR shall be:
Section 1: To empower Black Methodists for more effective witness, spiritual gro
wth, and
service among pastors and laypersons in local churches, districts, conferences,
schools, and the larger community within the jurisdiction. Section 2: To encourage Black Methodists and others to be involved in the struggle for
economic, political, and social justice. Section 3: To expose and seek to eradicate latent and overt forms of racism in the local
churches, districts, conferences, and the jurisdiction. Section 4: To act as an agitating conscience within the local church, districts, conferences,
and institutions within the jurisdiction, and upon the jurisdictional structures, so as to make and keep them sensitive to the needs and expressions of a genuinely inclusive and relevant church. Section 5: To keep before the jurisdiction the crucial issues facing the church by formulating and implementing plans and programs which realistically deal with the needs of black people. Section 6: To facilitate more dialogue between the black community and black and non-black constituencies within the United Methodist Church. Section 7: To provide input from the black constituency into the policy and decision-making processes of the districts, conferences, and jurisdiction. Article III
Field of Operation
Section 1: The field of operation of SEJ BMCR shall be the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. Article IV
Membership
Section 1: The membership of SEJ BMCR shall be composed of two categories:
a. REGULAR MEMBERS – black persons of The United Methodist Church who subscribe to the purpose of General and SEJ BMCR, and who adhere to the membership requirements as prescribed by General and SEJ BMCR. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS – black persons from other denominations and other United Methodists who are not black persons who subscribe to the purpose of General and SEJ BMCR, and who adhere to the membership requirements as prescribed by General and SEJ BMCR. Section 2: Regular members, who are registered at the annual meeting, shall be entitled to vote. Section 3: Associate members, who are registered at the annual meeting, shall have a voice but shall be without a vote. Article V
Officers
Section 1: There shall be five (5) officers elected annually: Coordinator, Vice-Coordinator, Secretary, Treasurer, and Parliamentarian. Section 2: The officers shall be elected at the annual meeting of the caucus, upon nomination by the Nominating Committee. The Coordinator and Vice-Coordinator shall alternate between clergy and laity. This does not preclude these persons from succeeding themselves. Section 3: No two (2) officers shall be elected from the same annual conference. Section 4: All elected officers shall be bonded.
