Overview

How does a church committed to justice still carry the weight of structural racism? In 1784, the Methodist Episcopal Church condemned slavery, declaring that slaveholders could not be Methodists. But political pressure eroded that stance. By 1939, segregation was codified into church structure itself through the Central Jurisdiction-a separate, unequal space for Black Methodists that would last nearly three decades. When the Evangelical United Brethren Church insisted on integration before agreeing to merge in the 1960s, The United Methodist Church faced a reckoning. How would they dismantle the very structures they had built? Who would bear the cost of that change? Through a pilgrimage lens, Rev. Dr. Bonnie J. McCubbin traces this painful journey using historical archives and oral histories from those who lived through the denomination's transformation. Beginning each chapter with the haunting question, ""When did you first realize you were Black?"" she reveals how structural racism shaped Methodist identity and what it truly cost to pursue integration. As The United Methodist Church pledges today to ""dismantle racism,"" this book asks: What can we learn from how the dissolution of the Central Jurisdiction unfolded? What was lost? What was gained? And what comes next? I Love to Tell the Story is essential reading for church leaders, seminarians, historians, and anyone seeking to understand how institutions-even those founded on justice-must continually reckon with their complicity in oppression. --------- Published by Tehom Center Publishing Tehom Center Publishing elevates marginalized voices, amplifying stories that challenge systems of oppression and imagine more just futures. Learn more at www.tehomcenter.org

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9781966655640

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Reviews

As an elder person of color, I have personally witnessed our society's attempt over several decades to affirm inclusiveness, yet too often, stumble, while grasping the opposite reality of inclusiveness, which is the self-preservation of identity through domination of some of God's children. The question McCubbin must answer is the enigma of the majority world's stated goals of justice and righteousness, while clinging to systemic racism, homophobia, misogyny, ignorance or outright indifference. Failure to confront the isms of our society leaves us vulnerable to the lower angels, and threatens the loss of our souls. Hopefully, this book will help us seek the better angels in our society and world and find God's beloved community. -- Bishop Forrest C. Stith, Retired, The United Methodist Church This book chronicles the racial justice transitions in the United Methodist Church which constitute a story of struggle, racism, possibility, faith, hope and love. This inspirational story is a spiritual exploration of the soul, both personal and denominational. The UMC is given a resource which outlines a journey that points the way to the sacred destination of racial justice and harmony. -- Bishop Ernest S. Lyght, Retired, The United Methodist Church Rev. Dr. Bonnie McCubbin reminds us of the gift of pilgrimage and brilliantly takes us on a spiritual journey through history. If pilgrimage allows space to change you, then this book allows history to change us! -- Dr. Ashley Boggan, General Secretary, General Commission on Archives & History, The United Methodist Church The Rev. Dr. Bonnie McCubbin has consummately chronicled the Biblical, theological and historical journey of The United Methodist Church. The book also honestly reflects the unique and sometimes disappointing experience of Black Methodists, especially depicted in the experience of the Central Jurisdiction. Like the cherished hymn, I Love to Tell The Story is comforting, inspiring, and reminds us of the enduring power of faith, hope, and Love. -- Reverend. Eugene W. Matthews, Retired Elder and District Superintendent, Baltimore-Washington Conference, The United Methodist Church

Author Information

Rev. Dr. Bonnie J. McCubbin (she/her) serves co-vocationally as Pastor of Historic Old Otterbein United Methodist Church and Director of Museums and Pilgrimage/Conference Archivist for The Baltimore-Washington Conference of the UMC.An award-winning historian, her research includes uncovering who burned Cokesbury College and rediscovering Bishop Asbury's last written words. She regularly gives tours and contributes to additional publications.Married to Rev. Lemuel Dominguez, they have 2 children. She enjoys biking, coaching baseball, quilting, and art.

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