WASHINGTON—African-American United Methodists got an earful from a small group of youths and young adults who attended the Ebony Bishops' Summit.

The 300 leaders were told about the importance of mentoring, giving leadership roles in church to youths and respecting youth cultures and perspectives, according to United Methodist News Service.

"It's essential for youth to gain an understanding of God, but we need to relate the Bible to our lives," said Christa Scott, a youth member of Central United Methodist Church in Kansas City, Kan. She told leaders that young people do not always relate to sermons based on adult experiences and insights.

"We haven't had those experiences," she said. "We have to be able to teach and empower each other."

The first-ever summit was convened Nov. 7-9 to discuss common challenges and ideas for strengthening the ministries of black churches.

"We are not well in this denomination," said Bishop Felton Edwin May, leader of the church's Washington Area, calling for a renaissance of the black church.

Thirteen of the denomination's 24 active and retired African-American bishops, known collectively as the Ebony Bishops Network, convened the summit following the United Methodist Council of Bishops' fall meeting in Washington, the news service reported.

They addressed the black church's role in responding to a number of problems in the black community, including rampant violence, HIV/AIDS infection, homelessness, incarceration, teen pregnancy and school dropout rates.

They also tackled obstacles to church growth and health, the alarming absence of young people in black congregations, and the difficulties many black leaders face as advocates for black concerns.