As part of the response to an overture requesting the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns (ACREC) to prepare an analysis of the Church’s effort to combat racism and live out its antiracism commitments, the General Assembly directed the Racial Ethnic Ministries to assist the National Presbyterian Black Caucus to develop a strategy for church growth for African-American congregations.

A task force was then convened to develop a strategy by conducting the necessary research, gathering appropriate data and consulting key denominational and ecumenical constituents.  This strategy is in relation to the Racial Ethnic/Immigrant Evangelism and Church Growth Strategy that was adopted in 1998. The strategy mandated an increase in racial ethnic membership in the PCUSA by 20 percent by the year 2010.

The committee has worked diligently and has held interviews with a select sampling of African-American pastors throughout the country, compiled survey results from a survey provided to NBPC participants, and met with small church clergy, clergy women groups and New Church Development pastors. 

The committee has produced a draft of the strategy.  The members met in April 2006 and decided to refine the paper by presenting it to the African-American Presbyterian community (via the NBPC and the local congregations) for dialogue in order ensure that the report is feasible for African-American congregations and is in alignment with the 2007-2008 Mission Work Plan Objectives. They will present the final paper with its recommendations to the 218th General Assembly.