This issue of The Christian Recorder Online pays tribute to the memory of the Right Reverend Decatur Ward Nichols, the 59th Elected Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
1. BLACK CHURCH LEADERS FORGE HISTORIC ALLIANCE
By Stephanie and Eric Stradford
The Christian Recorder, Jan. 26, 2005, Nashville, TN – More than 10,000 delegates from the four most prestigious African American Baptist Conventions have united to "Witness as One." The partnership signifies a new beginning for building better bridges for ministry amid 15-million African Americans.
This is the first such meeting for African American Baptists. Internet viewers can witness the historic proceedings at BlackInternetTV.com. The four presidents will present a Unity Statement during a 9:00 am press conference on Friday, January 28 at Gaylord Opryland Convention Center.
The Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. (PNBC), National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. (NBCUSA), The National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. (NBCA), and National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, Inc. (NMBCA) are here to work on a myriad of issues critical to the survival of African Americans.
Central to this historic meeting are "Unity Forums" on education, holistic health, economic development, political empowerment, spirituality, social justice and global issues. Joint participation is an outcome hoped for by former PNBC President Dr. Gardner C. Taylor—a dream incubated for six years. A year ago, the joint leadership, which includes Dr. Major L. Jemison, President of PNBC; Dr. William J. Shaw, President of NBCUSA; Dr. Stephen J. Thurston, President of NBCA; and Dr. Melvin V. Wade, President of NMBCA met to organize a convention that would unite diverse ministries toward a common good.
"We have come to learn more about what we must do together," said Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Secretary Treasurer of the AME Sunday School Union. Officers and members from the African Methodist Episcopal Church honored the late Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols by their participation. Bishop Nichols, a man of great vision, held the distinction of being the oldest living bishop in Methodism. He died January 24, the opening day of the historic conference. He was 104.
Dr. Barbour joined Reverend Dr. Daryl Ingram, Executive Director, AMEC Christian Education Department and Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor, III, Editor of The Christian Recorder. News coverage by the oldest circulated black newspaper in America engages some 3.5 million historically disenfranchised "cousins to black Baptists" in a long awaited demonstration of unity.
Historically, diverse black denominations share in common a bitter uncertainty endured through, what many consider, incompetence in their national political leadership. They are not merely miffed about George W. Bush's reelection. They are gravely concerned about the administration's capacity to lead.
Whether the issue is National Security, Social Security, or Economic Security, the mere capacity of the black church weighs heavily on getting things done in America. Win or lose at the polls, the black church remains the single most effective voice of Africa's stolen people. Some climbed aboard a bandwagon aimed at derailing the Bush conservative agenda and must now redirect their "Move On" mindset to healing the nation.
Editor’s Comment:
Click on the link imbedded in this message and follow the instructions and you will be able to view and listen to the Baptist Mid-Winter Convention. You might want to share this with your Baptist friends.
The Christian Recorder Online provides real-time and live news.
2. SCAM ALERT WARNING RECEIVED FROM THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT EPISCOPAL SUPERVISOR STAN MCKENZIE:
This is an alert for all churches. Individuals are once again attempting to scam AME Churches. As recently as last week there are people calling AME Churches and Episcopal District Offices indicating that a bishop's niece or daughter is stranded and needs money right away. They ask that money be sent or wired to a bank. They are astute and will give details to affect transactions. Please DO NOT SEND MONEY to anyone. If your church is contacted, please do not respond and notify your pastor and your Episcopal District Office.
They are sharp and are not novices. Don't fall for this scam.
Episcopal Supervisor Stan McKenzie
3. SISTER DORIS COFFEY ASKED SOME GREAT QUESTIONS LISTED BELOW AND I AM ATTEMPTING TO ANSWER THEM. I WOULD APPRECIATE COMMENTS FROM OUR SUBSCRIBERS. FORWARD COMMENTS DIRECTLY TO ME. PLEASE REPLY WITH YOUR FULL NAME, POSITION, ETC., TO chsydnor@bellsouth.net
1. Why are we asked to stand for the reading of the Gospels and not the rest of the Scriptures?
ANSWER: Some churches stand for the reading of the Gospel because the gospel represents the coming of Christ the King. As an example, whenever a king passed by, the people stood and honored the king. The people would not sit when the king passed; that would have been disrespectful. Liturgically, congregants were not required to stand for the Old Testament, Epistle or Psalter readings. Conversely, when people approached the king, they bowed, thus when we approach Christ the King in prayer, we bow or get on our knees.
Historically, Methodists did not stand for the reading of the gospel because it “smacked’ of Roman Catholicism. In the early days of Methodism, we did not want it thought that we were copying or mimicking Catholicism. Recently, with the ecumenical movement, we have assimilated some of the more liturgical forms in worship. 2. Where can information be found in the Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church pertaining to, or explaining why we pay Conference Claims and what they are based upon?
ANSWER: I am not qualified to answer this question. I will ask that Dr. Richard Lewis or Bishop Adam Richardson answer your question. I know that the General Conference approves the budget for the AME Church and the money raised by the constituency of the AME Church.
3. What is the predominant formula used by AME Churches to raise the Conference Claims?
ANSWER: I will ask one of the bishops to answer this question. I don’t know if there is a predominant formula. I know that money has to be raised and I suspect that in the past we have used women’s and men’s days to raise assessed money. I believe that other churches have found creative ways to raise assessed funds. I also believe that pastors have to have a plan. I once heard General H. Norman Schwarzkopf tell combat leaders, just prior to going on a live-fire exercise, that motivating soldiers was a leadership challenge. He said, “You can face soldiers and say, ‘The commander says we got to dig this foxhole; I don’t know why he wants us to dig it so deep. I guess we just have to go ahead and dig it,’ or a motivating leader would say, in a positive way, ‘Men, let’s get our foxholes dug and the perimeter secured. Let’s dig our foxholes deep enough that we can take incoming fire and remain alive and unharmed. We can do this is short-order!’”
Some of our pastors may need to be upbeat when talking about assessments. Pastors need to be as upbeat when they talk about Connectional assessments as they are when preaching a sermon. It’s the way that it is communicated that might make the difference. If we go into it with the attitude that everybody is stealing money then no one wants to participate in that kind of endeavor. On the other hand if pastors and lay leader share with the people the responsibilities faced by the Church – it’s educational institutions, connectional budgets, to include salaries, housing, operating expenses, overseas work, benevolence, etc., in a positive way, people will give more cheerfully. It’s a leadership challenge.
4. Is it a well-kept secret or is anyone aware that there are Churches (at least in some districts) who are operating in a fantasy of pure pretense, when it comes to the conference claims; that they have to rob Peter to pay Paul, resort to drastic measures or let other pressing matters of the churches go in order to pay conference claims?
ANSWER: Churches, beginning with the local church and all the way up to the Connectional Church, face financial challenges. As a matter of fact, non-religious organizations also face financial challenges. Families have financial challenges, and, sometimes, when paying the bills, sometimes there is not enough money and we have to choose to pay one and delay paying the other and that’s, in a sense, “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” As it relates to your observation, “…resort to drastic measures or let other pressing matters of the (local) church go in order to pay conference claims,” it is a leadership issue. Some pastors know how to motivate and implement relevant programs. Others do not and complain. I reiterate; it’s a leadership issue. Pastoring is a full-time profession. The ministry of the African Methodist Episcopal Church was not designed to be avocational. The itinerancy was designed for full-time ministry and if the ministry is avocational, then the pastoral and lay leadership will need to be very creative. The money will not just fall from the sky!
5. What do you suppose Richard Allen's take would be on Conference Claims and the burden it causes some of the churches?
ANSWER: Bishop Richard Allen was a businessman. I believe that he would find creative ways for the church to raise money to meet its church’s financial obligations. He was not an avocational leader. He did what he needed to do to make his ministry full-time.
6. What are the Conference Claims based on? Membership, locale, ability to pay or other? I am not opposed to paying conference claims, I just think there needs to be a better way, so that it is not such a burden on the churches whose attendance have dropped, who have mostly elderly members who are struggling to make ends meet. Now don't tell me about how God will provide if we trust Him, because I already know that is true - but where is God in the Conference Claims? I am well aware that God said to bring the tithes (and offerings) but where did God say to bring Conference Claims. (Just asking - if you don't ask, you will never know).
ANSWER: It’s a pastoral leadership issue, but I will defer to someone else, perhaps a bishop to answer this question. When I pastored years ago at St. James AME Church in Danville, Kentucky, I had a Conference Claims Committee and they raised the money to pay the Conference Claims. I never had to worry about it. Mrs. Cornelia Faulkner took the leadership in raising the money for Conference Claims and my pastorate became a joy when I didn’t have to worry anymore about Conference Claims. That’s how I solved it, but as I state, that was years ago. I might do it differently now.
7. How can we revamp our Sunday Schools and get the pastors, members and children to come?
ANSWER: Again, it’s a leadership issue. The pastor and laity of the church need to meet and strategize. The Church needs an action plan. They need to develop strategies for church growth. The congregation needs a mission statement. Church growth is an intentional endeavor. Pastors need to attend meetings like the Evangelism Workshop that was held recently in Myrtle Beach in order to discover the most up-to-date methods of church growth and evangelism. Ministerial training from top to bottom! How can you “get the pastors, members and children” to attend Sunday school? Again, this is a leadership issue. Every pastor should support the Sunday school with his or her attendance. – Period! Attendance starts at the top – with the leader(s) of the church. The leaders of the church need to set the example.
4. THE REVEREND DR. JOE DARBY WANTS TO KNOW IF ANY CLERGY OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH WERE PRESENT AT PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH’S SPEECH YESTERDAY:
I would like to know if any of our Bishops or clergy were “at the table” yesterday for President George W. Bush's "black folks meeting.”
5. INSPIRING WEBSITE FORWARDED BY BROTHER JAMES H. SMITH:
I received this e-mail information from Brother Steve Armstrong, First Vice President of The Baltimore Conference Lay Organization of the Second Episcopal District of The African Methodist Episcopal Church. It is the best source of Black History I have ever had in such a concise presentation. The Pride and the Journey website which highlights famous Africans and African-Americans http://www.websn.com/Pride/Pride/sounds.htm
Editor’s Comment:
This Website is a keeper!
6. FUNERAL NOTICE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP OF THE FIRST EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols.
The following information is being provided regarding funeral arrangements.
FUNERAL - SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 2005 at 10:00 a.m.
EMANUEL AME CHURCH
37-41 West 119th Street
New York, NY 10029
The Rev. Simon P. Bouie, Pastor
Church Phone: 212-722-3969
CONDOLENCES MAY BE SENT TO THE FAMILY:
The Family of Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols
68 Ninth Avenue
Huntingdon Station, Long Island, NY 11746
or
Emanuel AME Church
37 - 41 West 119th Street
New York, NY 10029
Church Phone: 212-722-3969; Fax: 212-722-6887
Please remember the Nichols family in your prayers during this time of their bereavement.
God Bless!Ora L. Easley, PresidentCONN-M-SWAWO +PK'SEmail: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736Fax: (615) 833-3781
WEB SITES: http://www.amemswwpk.org/
CONN-M-SWAWO + P.K.'S Home Pagehttp://connmswawo3.com/
AME Church Clergy Family Forum: http://connmswawo3.com/membership.html
CONN-M-SWAWO + P.K.'S Membership Listing
7. IN MEMORY OF THE LATE BISHOP DECATUR WARD NICHOLS. OCTOBER 15, 1901 – JANUARY 24, 2005:
Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols was the oldest living bishop in Methodism. He was born on October 15, 1900 in Georgetown, South Carolina.
Bishop Nichols was man who "thought outside of the box" from the very beginning of his ministry. He was committed to full-time ministry, even when the "money" wasn't good. His ministry was an excellent example of a preacher "growing where he was planted." He was a man of vision. He wasn't given the biggest appointment, but he made it the biggest appointment. He "watered" and nurtured the ground he had. Retired Bishop Richard Allen Hildebrand remarked that Bishop Nichols was extremely competent and that he knew God's place in his ministry. And, Bishop Nichols had to have had the blessings of the Holy Spirit to have accomplished all that he did in his pastoral ministry, and later in the Episcopacy. Bishop Hildebrand said of Bishop Nichols that he was a master bishop who had the ability to place ministers in the right pulpit.
Bishop Nichols was a Connectional preacher and a global bishop - he traveled throughout the Connection and attended meetings of the Church and Methodism all over the word. He was a nurturing preacher - he knew that he had not gotten to where he was on his own power, but that others had helped him and when he succeeded, he pulled others with him.
Bishop Nichols was a man who was committed to his roots and a man who did not forget "From whence he had come." He was a man who honored his mother and father - he always remembered his parents and was committed to the family he "planted."
Another important attribute of Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols was when he was "knocked down, he refused to stay down." And, when he returned, he returned stronger. He didn't remain bitter. He smiled and "kept on loving" the Church. And as a result, the Church loves him. Bishop Nichols, the oldest living bishop in Methodism and a man of God.
8. THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL 2004-2112:
Atty. Patricia M. Mayberry (President)*
Atty. Priscilla J. Green (Vice President)*
Rev. Franklin E. Breckenridge, Esq. (Secretary)*
Rev. Dr. Granville W. Reed, III (Assistant Secretary)*
Dr. J. B. Flowers, Jr. (Treasurer)**
Rev. Dr. Leeomia W. Kelly (Chaplain)**
Atty. Rosemarie Rhodes-Miller (Member)*
Atty. Benjamin Edwards (Member)*
Judge Vonciel Jones Hill (Member)*
AlternatesJudge Tania E. Wright (Lay)**
Rev. Glenda Hodges (Ministerial)**
Rev. Delman Howard (Ministerial)**
* Term expires 2008
** Term expires 2112
9. REPRINT OF REQUESTS FOR ARTICLE ON LITURGICAL COLORS:
Liturgical colors and their meanings
It is by tradition in some denominations and by the decision of assigned some pastors in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, that the ministerial vestments and the drapery used in the decoration of the altar should correspond in color that is appropriate for the liturgical season. The colors, if used appropriate to the liturgical cycle, are called the liturgical colors.
WHITE - This is the color of perfection, glory, holiness, and joy. In the African Methodist Episcopal Church and some other denominations, white is used on Communion Sundays. White is also used on the joyous and great festival days of the Godhead such as Christmas Day and during the Easter season (the Sundays after Easter). Many of our churches use white for weddings.
RED - This is the color of blood. It reminds us of the blood of Christ which was shed for the forgiveness of the sins of all of humankind. Red is used during Holy Week from Palm Sunday through Maundy Thursday. Red is also the color of fire and represents fervor, zeal, victory and triumph. Red is used during the Pentecost season to mark the birth of Christ's church on earth. Some churches use red throughout the Pentecost season, which starts fifty days after Easter and goes to beginning of Advent (Four Sundays before Christmas). Some pastors use red for Pentecost Sunday only and not during the entire Pentecost season.
GREEN - This is the color of life and signifies growth. Green may be used for the Sundays after the Pentecost (sometimes called the Trinity season).
PURPLE - This is the color of preparation and of penitence. Purple is used during the seasons of Advent and Lent.
BLACK - This is the color of deep sorrow and darkness. Black also reminds us of death or the end of life. Black is used only on Good Friday to remind us of Jesus' death and humiliation on the cross.
BLUE - This is simply the color of hope. The hope of the coming and long awaited Messiah. Blue is now being used, in some churches, as the color for the Advent season.
THE LITURGICAL YEAR
1. ADVENT. The 4 Sundays before Christmas Day. Color: Purple (or Blue).
2. THE CHRISTMAS SEASON BEGINS ON CHRISTMAS DAY.
There are twelve days of the Christmas Season, which begins on Christmas Eve and goes to Epiphany (January 6). Color: White
3. EPIPHANY
Begins on January 6The Epiphany of Our Lord (January 6). Color: White. The second through the eighth Sundays after the Epiphany (Sundays always referred to as the Sundays AFTER the Epiphany - Color: Green. The last Sunday of the Epiphany (The Transfiguration of Our Lord) Color: White
4. THE LENTEN SEASON BEGINS ON ASH WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday and the 5 Sundays OF Lent (Referred to as the Sundays OF Lent) - Color: Purple; Palm Sunday (Sunday of the Passion) and all of Holy Week (Monday - Maundy Thursday) - Red. Good Friday - Black (or wear no stole or coverings in the chancel area)
5. THE EASTER SEASON BEGINS ON EASTER SUNDAY
Beginning with Easter Eve and all of the Sundays of Easter - White (Gold may be used on Easter Day and Easter evening
6. PENTECOST SEASON BEGINS FIFTY DAYS AFTER EASTER DAY
The Day of Pentecost - Color: Red; The Sundays after the Pentecost (excluding the first Sunday AFTER the Pentecost - see # 7 below) Color: Red (or Green). Note: Methodist Churches historically have used red throughout the Pentecost season. Some are now using green throughout the Pentecost Season, which we used to refer to as Whitsuntide.
7. HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY IS CELEBRATED ON THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE PENTECOST - White.
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
