Abbreviation GBCS | Website umc-gbcs.org | |
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Predecessor Methodist Board of Temperance, Prohibition, and Public Morals Headquarters Washington, DC; New York, NY President Bishop Robert Hoshibata Parent organization United Methodist Church Type of business Agency of the United Methodist Church Similar Garrett–Evangelical Theological Seminary, Friends Committee on Nation, The Conference Board, Institute on Religion and Dem, Bread for the World | ||
The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) is a general agency of the United Methodist Church. It is one of four international general program boards of The United Methodist Church as set out the UMC Book of Discipline. The General Board has headquarters on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. and at the Interchurch Center in New York City. There are five divisions within the GBCS: Public Witness and Advocacy, Administration, Ministry of Resourcing Congregational Life, United Nations Ministry and Communications.
Contents
Purpose
According to the 2004 Book of Discipline, the GBCS's purpose is thus stated:
1002. Purpose - The purpose of the board shall be to relate the gospel of Jesus Christ to the members of the Church and to the persons and structures of the communities and world in which they live. It shall seek to bring the whole of human life, activities, possessions, use of resources, and community and world relationships into conformity with the will of God. It shall show the members of the Church and the society that the reconciliation that God effected through Christ involves personal, social, and civic righteousness.
Spheres of Influence
There are six stated spheres of influence for the GBCS
- The Natural World
- The Nurturing Community
- The Social Community
- The Economic Community
- The Political Community
- The World Community
Social Issues
The GBCS was traditionally pro-choice and supportive of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. In 2008, this was affirmed by the General Conference, but, in 2016, it voted in favor of withdrawing the United Methodist Church from the pro-choice organization and criticized the GBCS for its pro-choice position.
On human sexuality, the GBCS opposes discrimination or prejudice against people based on sexual orientation. In 2013, the organization allowed its building, in Washington D.C, to be used by supporters of same-gender marriage.