Justice, Dignity and Solidarity – First Five Years

The Methodist Conference, meeting in Telford, discussed the progress made in the implementation of the Methodist Church’s Strategy for Justice, Dignity and Solidarity (JDS), that was adopted by the Conference in 2021.

The strategy is both a theological statement and a practical framework, based on the belief that all people are created in God’s image and therefore worthy of justice, dignity and solidarity.

Since its adoption, the strategy has become embedded within the Church’s governance and mission. A five-year review was supported by an independent evaluation from the Susanna Wesley Foundation assessing achievements, challenges and priorities.

Key achievements include the establishment of the JDS Committee and Scrutiny Group to ensure oversight and accountability, as well as the creation of practical resources such as a User Guide and an Inclusive Language Guide supporting churches in applying JDS principles in everyday life.

The Church has created new roles, including a Director for Inclusion and a Programme Coordinator, signalling that inclusion is now central to leadership rather than an advisory function. The introduction of Equality Impact Assessments has helped ensure that policies and decisions are fair and inclusive, while reviews of committees and nomination processes have aimed to increase diversity in leadership.

Training has also been a key area for development. Through the Learning Network, the Church has expanded Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training, unconscious bias workshops and leadership development programmes. District-level EDI Officers and initiatives such as Solidarity Circles further support engagement and diverse voices.  Other work includes pilots for inclusive worship and the Discrimination and Abuse Response Service (DARS).

Despite these advances, the report identifies ongoing challenges. Implementation remains uneven across districts and circuits. 

The report emphasises that true transformation requires JDS to be fully embedded in all aspects of Church life including governance, relationships, worship and decision-making. It was affirmed that a JDS Sunday should be observed as a themed day on a locally agreed date across the Connexion.