Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour. Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
1. THE EDITOR’S CORNER:
Have you ever been in a discussion with an AME preacher or a leading AME layperson about a church issue and have him, or her reference, “Positive Law?” I have, and usually that would be the end of the discussion because I was intimidated when he or she cited “Positive Law” because I didn’t know what “Positive Law” was, or its definition. I have had several persons to tell me that they have had the same experience of being “stopped” by a person injecting the term, “Positive Law” into the discussion.
“The cat’s out of the bag!” I did some research and there is no such thing as, “Positive Law.” I asked a practicing attorney this morning to define for me, “Positive Law.” She responded, “What?” I responded, “Did you study or have defined for you in law school the term, ‘Positive Law?’” She responded, and I could sense a smile in her voice, “No, I have never heard of the term, ‘Positive Law’.”
Well, like we preacher, lawyers don’t know everything; even though some of them think they do, I decided to ask a respected AME Church authority who shall remain unnamed. I asked him the same question thinking that perhaps “Positive Law “was “an AME thing.” He quickly responded, “No, there is not such thing as ‘Positive Law’ and I don’t know where or when that got started.” He went on to say. “ It’s an AME thing that someone cited a long time ago and AME’s picked it up and now we hear people getting up in General Conferences and in other meeting citing, “Positive Law.”
Well. “The Cat is out of the bag” – apparently there is no such “animal” as, “Positive Law.”
You may continue to use the term, but I won’t be impressed and that term will no longer stop me in my tracks.
Does anyone have a different opinion or a definition that you would care to share. Please feel free to do chsydnor@bellsouth.net
2. CONNECTIONAL MEETINGS ARE POSTED ON THE OFFICIAL AMEC WEBSITE.
VISIT THAT WEBSITE TO SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE AME CHURCH:
http://www.ame-church.com/newsevents.html#meetings
3. THE STRATEGIC PLANNING IS A MEETING FOR ALL THOSE WHO WANT THE BEST FOR THE AME CHURCH:
Strategic Planning
March 7-8, 2005
Marriott Nashville Airport Hotel
600 Merritt Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
Room Rates:
$ 109.00 Single; $ 119.00 Double (Breakfast included for both)
4. SECOND EPISCOPAL DISTRICT FOUNDER’S DAY HUGE SUCCESS:
By Eva Williams Second District Bureau Chief, The AME Herald. Used by permission.
On February 10 – 12, congregations of the 2nd Episcopal District came together for an observation and celebration of the AME Church founders -- Richard and Sarah Allen – and 218 years of AMEC service and ministry proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this gathering, Bishop and Supervisor Richardson had developed an agenda with specialized emphasis on men, but the following goals touched the entire body of Christ.
1.) To be inspired by positive preaching and informed by relevant teaching to encourage creativity, commitment, and consistency in men in 100% of our churches;
2.) To receive appropriate tools to address current trends in the culture and their impact on the church.
3.) To consider viable, tested paradigms as strategies to holistically minister to men;
4.) To establish an expectation that follow-up will be tangible through the Son’s of Allen Men’s Ministry and Men’s Night in each Annual Conference
5.) To establish procedures for evaluating and quantifying the progress of men’s ministry in the Episcopal District
Keynote Sermon
The Rt. Rev. John Hurst Adams – one of the former presiding prelates of the 2nd Episcopal District -- gave the keynote sermon. In his message for the awaiting congregants gathered in the nation’s capital, Bishop Adams directed congregants to the third chapter of Galatians:
“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? .This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”
Bishop Adams reminded worshipers that these words can be directed to the A.M.E. Church today and he advised people of the need to re-discover who we are, confess our sins, re-affirm that we will keep God first in all things, perpetually renew our commitment, and proceed with great faith.
Men’s Ministry Service
The Men’s Ministry hosted “2000 Men in a Men’s Night Explosion.” For this service, Presiding Prelate Adam Jefferson Richardson wrote a Call to Worship – written especially for men -- and the King’s Men of Ebenezer A.M.E.C in Fort Washington, Maryland rendered the music. The Rev. Dr. Floyd Flake (pastor of Allen Cathedral A.M.E.C. in Jamaica, New York and President of Wilberforce University) delivered the Word. Following the sermon, the Rev. Jamal H. Bryant (pastor of Empowerment Temple A.M.E. Church in Baltimore, Maryland) lifted a Spirit-filled rousing invitation.
Workshops
In a series of workshop, congregants heard three A.M.E. ministers address contemporary paradigm for responsible manhood and relevant ministry:
Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray (recently retired pastor of First A.M.E. Church in Los Angeles, California) on “Paradigms for Creating a Nurturing Environment in Establishing a Men’s Ministry”
Rev. Dr. Floyd Flake, on “Paradigms for Actualizing Self-Worth among African American Men”
Rev. Dr. Frank M. Reid (pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Baltimore, Maryland) on “Paradigms of Gospel Proclamation to Men in the 21st Century”
Celebration of Assignment of the Bishop
The three-day session included a service celebrating the assignment of Adam Jefferson Richardson as Bishop of the 2nd Episcopal District. For this service, there were music selections by the Washington Conference Choir and a special music selection by Bishop Richardson’s son.
This service also included presentations and greetings from local politicians and Methodist Bishops. A “Covenant Service” included the recitation of the charge of the Church community and the Bishop, and affirmations by the Bishop with presentation of the signs of Episcopal Ministry (e.g. the pastoral staff).
Other Sessions
In addition to the component meetings that included organization business and educational segments on AME history and health issues, the Lay Organization hosted a luncheon to raise funds for scholarships.
Bishop Richardson closed the session with an overview of the schedule and priorities for the upcoming Annual Conferences.
5. PRAYER REQUEST:
Rev. Willie, Sr. and Mrs. Jackie Weary request your prayers for their son, Willie Weary, Jr., age 16, as he delivers his 1st Eulogy of one of his good friends, "Ms. Eli Craven" age 16 who was killed on last Friday night. The funeral services will be Friday, February 18, 2005, at 11:00 AM at Antioch Baptist Church, Tulsa, OK, Rev. M. C. Potter, Pastor. Thanking you in advance for all your support and prayers.
6. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
Good Morning,
Thank you continuously for your updates, as well as, pertinent information. Obviously, in the 12th we are proud of W.R. "Smokie" Norful, Jr. and the success he has in the gospel music industry. He just recently won another Grammy. He along with other AME's, such as Byron Cage, need our support in prayers and purchases.
Maybe something in the Christian Recorder can help them. Smokie's information can be found at www.smokienorful.com . If I am able to get it, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette had an article in the state paper concerning his win. Also, my bishop, the Right Reverend Richard A. Chappelle, Sr. nominated some us to go to the World Methodist Council/World Evangelism meeting in April at St. Simmons Isle, GA.
My wife and I will be going to represent the 12th Episcopal District at this meeting. Do you know of the other Episcopal Districts representatives? It is the Order of the FLAME meeting.
Thank you for your assistance.
Shalom, Rev. Gregory C. Nettles
Phil. 4:1
Dear Editor
I have been in a discussion like this (Distribution of Communion) and on some other issues involving Districts 14-20, namely lay speakers and I'm sure you have also.
We really have to think outside of the continental United States more and more these days. I believe that the Episcopal Leadership in the districts mentioned both the Americans and the Africans will make the points that we discuss worth considering long before 2008. I do however; think that the Task Forces to come will take a better look at our Book of Discipline. It may be that we need to let the Discipline be the Discipline and start to consider writing interpretations for everyday use. You have probably figured out by now that I work for a governmental agency. We have laws that are in a statute book, but we also have policy to implement the brilliance of our legislature.
Carol Croskey
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Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
