Methodist History: 1908 Social Creed for Workers

Summary

The video highlights the United Methodist Church's advocacy for workers' rights, focusing on the Social Creed established in 1908. At a time when child labor and unsafe working conditions were rampant, the church boldly called for an end to child labor, fair wages, and safety standards. Reverend Susan Henry-Crowe and others in the church continue to champion these ideals, reflecting on the church's long-standing commitment to social justice. Despite improvements, the need for faith-based advocacy remains as pressing as ever, with the church continuing to push for a living wage and systemic change.

Takeaways

• 😀 The U.S. transitioned from an agrarian society to an industrial economy at the turn of the 20th century, which led to child labor in factories and mines.
• 😀 In 1908, the Methodist Church took a stand for workers' rights by introducing a Social Creed that advocated for ending child labor, fair wages, and safety standards.
• 😀 The Social Creed inspired political leaders, such as Teddy Roosevelt, who quoted its content four years after its release in 1912.
• 😀 The United Methodist Church had a long history of social justice and activism, including anti-slavery stances and commitments to fairness for all.
• 😀 The Methodist Church's history of social holiness and justice has been present in the Books of Discipline for over a century.
• 😀 Reverend Susan Henry-Crowe, heading the General Board of Church and Society, advocates for the values of the Social Creed and saw its importance early on while pastoring in South Carolina's textile mills.
• 😀 A powerful personal experience for Reverend Henry-Crowe was seeing a parishioner standing in ankle-high water at a textile mill, which made her aware of the harsh labor conditions.
• 😀 The General Board of Church and Society is located near Washington, D.C.'s Supreme Court and U.S. Capitol, which allows it to maintain its influential presence in political advocacy.
• 😀 John Hill of Church and Society emphasizes the ongoing relevance of the Social Creed, particularly in advocating for a living wage, a cause the church has championed since 1908.
• 😀 Despite progress over the last century, there is still work to be done to make the ideals of the Social Creed a reality, and the church continues to challenge systems that prevent these ideals from being realized.

Q & A

What significant societal shift occurred in the U.S. at the turn of the 20th century?

The U.S. shifted from a rural, agrarian society to an industrial economy, with children as young as four working in factories and coal mines.

What stance did the Methodist Church take in 1908 regarding workers' rights?

In 1908, the Methodist Church supported workers' rights through a Social Creed, which called for an end to child labor, a fair wage, and safety standards.

How did Teddy Roosevelt engage with the Methodist Church's Social Creed?

In 1912, Teddy Roosevelt quoted much of the content from the Social Creed, four years after it was written.

What role did the Methodist Church's history play in advocating for social justice?

The Methodist Church's history includes over 100 years of statements on peace, anti-slavery, fairness, and social holiness, always supporting justice through its Book of Discipline.

Who is Susan Henry-Crowe, and what role does she play within the United Methodist Church?

Susan Henry-Crowe is the head of the General Board of Church and Society, the United Methodist agency tasked with advocating for the values in the Social Creed.

How did Susan Henry-Crowe's experience pastoring a church in South Carolina influence her view on the Social Creed?

Her experience in South Carolina, where she witnessed poor working conditions in a textile mill, deepened her appreciation for the church's clear stance on workers' rights.

What story did Susan Henry-Crowe share about her parishioner working in a textile mill?

Susan Henry-Crowe shared a story of a parishioner standing in ankle-high water in the textile mill, a condition he considered normal, which deeply shook her.

How does Susan Henry-Crowe's office location reflect the Methodist Church's influence?

Her office overlooks the Supreme Court and is near the U.S. Capitol, symbolizing the church's active role in advocating for social justice in the political sphere.

What is John Hill's perspective on the Methodist Church's call for a living wage?

John Hill reflects on the church's consistent call for a living wage since 1908, finding it both inspiring and frustrating that the issue persists.

How does the Methodist Church aim to live out the principles of the Social Creed?

The church works to ensure that the principles of the Social Creed are not just written but actively lived out, challenging systems that prevent their realization.