The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) is one of four international general program boards of The United Methodist Church. The General Board has headquarters on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. and at the Church Center for the United Nations in New York City. The President of the Board is Bishop S. Clifton Ives. The General Secretary of the Board is Mr. James E. Winkler.

Five areas of ministry
The General Board is defined by its five areas of ministry: (1) Public Witness and Advocacy (3) Ministry of Resourcing Congregational Life, (4) United Nations Ministry, (5) Communications.

 

Prime responsibility

The prime responsibility of the board is to seek the implementation of the Social Principles and other policy statements of the General Conference on Christian social concerns.

 

Major issues

· Environmental justice issues such as endangered species and genetic science

· Social and economic justice concerns such as gambling and campaign finance reform

· Peace with justice issues such as immigration and military spending

· Women's issues, reproductive rights, human sexuality

· Civil and human rights such as the death penalty and gun control;

· Health care issues such as mental illness and HIV/AIDS

· Children, youth and family concerns such as welfare reform and public education and population.