Welcoming or Wounding? Lessons from Black Methodist History for the Church Today

What does John Wesley’s notion of social holiness look like in this current climate of political divisiveness? What does creating disciples of Jesus Christ look like for a thirsting world in need of living water? These questions aren’t unique to this day and age. If we look into our church archives, we will find who we are and where we have been. There we will see the Holy Spirit at work through the power of preaching, praying, and faithful community present and supportive in uncertain and unjust times. If we are willing, let’s reflect beyond our congregational comfort zones.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in his 1963 letter from a Birmingham jail, noted that we as a church “have been more cautious than courageous and have remained silent behind the anesthetizing security of stained-glass windows.”

The Center for Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) Heritage says that history has three functions: to inspire us, warn us, and tell us who we are and the lives we live.

February is Black History Month. Before it was a month-long celebration, it started as a week-long event called Negro History Week. Carter G. Woodson started the celebration of Negro History Week in 1926. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month following the advocacy efforts of the Black United Students at Kent State University. Ford encouraged the nation to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

The Black church is an inherent part of Black history and a vital part of our Methodist history.

There we see a theology of grace undergirding the moral compass and accomplishments of a church.

Black Methodist history is a powerful testament to the pursuit of justice and the commitment to discipleship. This journey reflects the struggles and triumphs of a community that has sought equality and understanding within the framework of faith. By noting pivotal figures like "Black Harry" Hosier, the Christmas Conference in Baltimore in 1784, and historically Black colleges, including Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and Houston-Tilluson University in Houston, Texas, we see that the legacy of Black Methodism inspires movements and highlights resilience. Black Methodist history can also inform us about the misplaced sufferings the church has caused when it has missed the mark.

By inviting Methodists on the margins to tell their stories, we are blessed with the opportunity to see how God works in spite of us. God’s grace allows us to be reconciled with the communities we have harmed. The story of Richard Allen, who was born into slavery and became a preacher on the Methodist circuit, reminds us that evangelism is about ensuring that people are valued, heard, and empowered to lead.

Part 2: Learning from Our Mistakes: Richard Allen (AME) and Evangelism

By Motoe Yamada Foor

Richard Allen’s painful separation from St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church reminds us of the dangers of exclusion in the body of Christ. The attempt to segregate African American worshipers was a moment of rejection—but it became the foundation for something new. Allen’s resilience and vision led to the creation of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, which continues to spread the gospel today.

Richard Allen was born into slavery in 1760 and later purchased his freedom. As a devout Christian, he became a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, believing in the power of faith to transform lives. He and his fellow African American congregants worshiped at St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. As their numbers grew, they faced increasing discrimination. Despite Allen’s commitment to Methodism, he and other Black worshipers were eventually forced to sit in segregated sections of the church. One day, during prayer, church officials forcibly removed African American worshipers from the main floor. This humiliation led Allen and his companions to walk out, marking the beginning of a journey that would ultimately establish the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church—the first independent Black denomination in the United States.

Through my ecumenical work, I have always appreciated our AME brothers and sisters for their faith and commitment to justice, and I knew that Bishop Richard Allen founded the AME Church. However, until recently, I did not realize that he and his community endured two decades of struggle trying to work with St. George’s before finally leaving to start a new denomination.

During the Radical Methodist 2025 project (sponsored by the General Commission on Archives and History in collaboration with Discipleship Ministries), Rev. Chris Heckert shared historical information about St. George’s Church. Richard Allen spent twenty years trying to integrate, be accepted, and contribute to a church that ultimately pushed him away. This historical reality made me think about evangelism today. When I invited a group of people who speak my language to the church, and church members made rude comments, they told me they would come to our activities but never wanted to be a part of the church. Some churches at first welcome a new group who look different from them, but then they treat them unjustly, making it harder for them to use church facilities or suddenly increasing fees to prevent them from using the space. How often do churches fail to recognize the people already within their walls, let alone those outside?

Evangelism is not just about inviting new people to church services but about how we treat those who come through our doors. Too often, churches become insular, focusing on the needs of their existing members while failing to consider how newcomers experience the community. When visitors come to a church for any reason—whether it is a worship service, a food pantry, a funeral, or a special event—they are watching. They observe how church members treat one another, how they act toward leadership, and, most importantly, how they embody (or fail to embody) Christ’s love.

If we want to invite people to Christ and the church, we must strive to act like Jesus. Of course, no one is perfect, but intentional efforts to embody Christ’s love and hospitality can make all the difference. People who come through church doors may never express their feelings outright, but they will remember how they were treated. And if they feel unwelcome, unseen, or dismissed, they may choose never to return.

One simple yet powerful way to improve evangelism is to ask people what the church can do better. I often have suggestions when I visit churches, but I rarely share them unless someone asks. This is the case for many visitors—they notice things; they form impressions, but they may not voice their concerns unless invited. Church leaders and members should be proactive in seeking feedback. When people attend a program, a service, or an event, leaders should take the time to ask: "Is there anything we could do to make this better?" Even small changes can significantly affect how people experience the church community.

What does Richard Allen's story teach us about evangelism in a world still marked by racial and social divisions? It reminds us that evangelism is not just about personal salvation; it is about community transformation. The church should never be a place where people feel unwelcome due to their race, background, economic or immigration status. Instead, we are called to build bridges, ensuring that our churches reflect the kingdom of God.

Jesus’ ministry was centered on welcoming those whom society often rejected. He ate with tax collectors, spoke with Samaritans, and healed lepers. He broke barriers wherever he went. If we follow his example, our churches must be places of radical welcome, not just for those who fit in seamlessly but especially for those who feel out of place.

This Black History Month, let us recommit ourselves to evangelism that includes rather than excludes, that builds rather than divides. Let us work together to create spaces where all people, regardless of their background, can experience the love and grace of Jesus Christ. And let us remember that evangelism begins not just with words but with actions—with how we treat every person who walks through our church doors, whether they stay for a lifetime or only for a moment.

Additional Reading

• Black People in the Methodist Church: Whither Thou Goest? by William B. McClain
• Freedom’s Prophet: Bishop Richard Allen, the AME Church, and the Black Founding Fathers by Richard S. Newman
• The History of Black History Month, https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/history-black-history-month/.

Reflection Questions

1. How does Richard Allen’s experience at St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church challenge our understanding of evangelism today?
2. Are there groups in our church community who may feel unwelcome?
3. What steps have we taken to ensure that evangelism is not just about inviting people in but about truly welcoming and integrating them into the church?
4. How do our church’s practices and policies either facilitate or hinder a sense of belonging for newcomers?
5. What actions can we take to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, feels valued and included in our church community?

Rev. Kevin "Rev Kev" Kosh Jr., Director and Strategist for the National Network of Young Adults (Strengthening The Black Church – SBC 21), is a lifelong Methodist with more than twelve years of experience in spiritual formation and leadership development. He is an ordained elder in the Mississippi Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. From service as a local pastor to campus chaplain, Kosh has experience working at various levels of the church, partnering with groups such as the General Board of Higher Education and Ministries, The Black College Fund, United Methodist Men, and General Board of Church and Society. Check out NNYA's L.I.T. pop up tour.

Rev. Motoe Yamada Foor, Director of Adult Discipleship, served in local churches for twenty years. She has a wealth of experience at a variety of organizational levels of The United Methodist Church as well as in ecumenical organizations such as the World Council of Churches (WCC).

Discipleship Ministries staff created this content with assistance from AI tools.