The National Black Presbyterian Caucus

The National Black Presbyterian Caucus (NBPC) was organized in 1987 to:

advocate for racial justice, maximize black participation in the life and mission of the church, facilitate the discussion and communication of issues and the development of strategies and be the focal point of the celebration of the Black religious heritage.

Worship service held during national event.

Today the NBPC is an organization of inter-generational Black Presbyterians who are committed to Jesus Christ and who work to ensure that:

• the witness of Presbyterians of African descent is healthy, growing, dynamic and empowering
• racial justice is integral in the church’s self-understanding and lived out in every aspect of ministry
• the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is culturally plural in mission and ministry

Transformational church growth and leadership development also remain a high priority for the NBPC.

NBPC represents the historic legacy and continuing existence of a Black Caucus in the Presbyterian Church which was first organized by Black clergy in 1856 at Shiloh Presbyterian Church of New York City.

The NBPC provides the vessel for African American leadership to “raise our prophetic voices to the larger church, the nation and the world.” 

The Black Congregational Enhancement Office (BCE) works in partnership with the NBPC to realize strategies that enable the African-American leaders, pastors, elders and others to increase their natural and spiritual leadership capacity in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and congregations to develop a viable plan for the growth of the members, congregation and community.

Download the National Black Presbyterian Caucus Board of Directors (2007-2009) directory.

Arms outstretched to the heavens were a normal sight as convention attendees engaged in praise and worship. Photo by Evan Silverstein

From Presbyterian News Service
July 27, 2007

Bicentennial blowout
Spirited event commemorates 200 years of black Presbyterianism

by Evan Silverstein

PHILADELPHIA — With praise and singing that shook the roof, more than 500 African-American Presbyterians recently came together for a spirited, worship-filled bicentennial celebration marking the birth of black Presbyterianism in the United States and sounding hope for the future.

The historic 200th anniversary gala, featuring rousing sermons and thunderous gospel music that brought participants of all ages to their feet with arms outstretched to the heavens, was the focus of the 39th National Black Presbyterian Caucus convention, which was held here July 11-15.

Read the rest of this story.

Shaya Gregory

NBPC Convention nurtures Christian formation

As a little girl I defended my identity as a Black Presbyterian to those incredulous people who asked:

“Really! You’re Presbyterian, but you’re Black!?!”
 “You sure you aren’t Baptist?”

And although I wasn’t sure then what it meant to be Presbyterian, I clearly understood that I was Black and Christian. These dual facets of my personhood were developed coming of age in a distinctly African-American congregation.

Continue reading this story.

African-American Task Force to develop church growth strategy

As part of the response to an overture requesting the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns (ACREC) to prepare an analysis of the Church’s effort to combat racism and live out its antiracism commitments, the General Assembly directed the Racial Ethnic Ministries to assist the National Presbyterian Black Caucus to develop a strategy for church growth for African-American congregations.

Continue reading this story.