When we read about the first band of Christ followers selling their possessions and “distributing the proceeds to all, as they had need,” (Acts 2:45), we clap our hands, lauding such noble sacrifice, but snicker under our breath, whispering, “Now that’s a bit too much!”
PHILADELPHIA — Nearly eight years ago, The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) entered an era of transformation. The 221st General Assembly (2014) had elected a new class of directors to the agency’s board and confirmed the election of a new Board of Pensions president. Today, those directors are near the end of their terms. They were celebrated at the Board of Directors meeting March 10-12.
The A Corp Board will be hearing a presentation during its April meeting on whether to shift a percentage of about $50 million in A Corp holdings to investment firms that are run by Black fund managers.
At its fall meeting, the Board of Directors formalized the Board of Pensions’ commitment to removing the effects of structural racism from the agency’s workplace and policies. It also voted to expand access to the agency’s Assistance Program.
“I am so excited,” said the Rev. Samuel Son, the PC(USA)’s Manager of Diversity and Reconciliation, “that we get to hear from this philosopher, prophet and preacher.”
That was the cue for Dr. Jonathan Tran, Associate Professor of Philosophical Theology and George W. Baines Chair of Religion at Baylor University, to start preaching remotely during a Wednesday Chapel Service attended by more than 80 of the PC(USA)’s national staff, a service offered by the denomination’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion team.
And preach Tran did.
These days, every organization is coming up with a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion — commonly referred to as DEI — strategic plan. The hiring of diversity and inclusion executives has grown 113% in the last five years. As of February 2021, half of S&P 500 companies have a chief diversity officer. The national agencies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are also putting together DEI plans as a response to the General Assembly mandate for a Race Audit in 2018. However, this is not the church jumping on the latest business trend.
The Board Bulletin is published after each regular meeting of the Board of Directors of The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and represents key information and actions taken that affect plans and programs administered by the Board of Pensions.