WHEREAS, John Wesley was a "unique and remarkable educator (who) gave to the whole Methodist movement . . . a permanent passion for education"1, and
WHEREAS, Wesley believed that persons develop their full God-given potential when they educate their mind as well as nurture their spirit; and
WHEREAS, the historic United Methodist concern for education is witnessed through commitment to educational opportunity for all persons regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, or economic or social background; and
WHEREAS, this commitment continues as United Methodist individuals, congregations, colleges, collegiate ministries, and other groups become involved in local education in their communities; and
WHEREAS, these efforts make a significant contribution to furthering access, advancing and enhancing student learning, and advocating for the continued improvement of educational opportunity; and
WHEREAS, educators, families, and communities are concerned about substance abuse and violence in our schools and communities, along with other social problems which undermine the safety of children and the quality of their lives in school and in society at large; and
WHEREAS, United Methodists have a moral concern to take initiatives to support and create alliances involving educators, community leaders, and students to address the challenges of contemporary education and to work to resolve the threats to quality education;
Therefore, be it resolved, that every United Methodist congregation develop a strategy for being in partnership with local United Methodist-related educational institutions and collegiate ministries, other educators, community leaders, and students in providing a positive, safe, helpful, and hopeful environment in which students can live and learn and grow into principles Christian leaders.
ADOPTED 1996
AMENDED AND READOPTED 2000
AMENDED AND READOPTED 2008, 2016
RESOLUTION #3161, 2008, 2012 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION #98, 2004 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION #87, 2000 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS
See Social Principles, ¶ 162C, D.
From The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church - 2016. Copyright © 2016 by The United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission.
