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 QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED:
Brother Stephen Green answered all of the questions:
Question 1: What year was Bishop Nichols elected and consecrated a bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church? Who was the Senior Bishop of the AME Church when Bishop Nichols was elected and consecrated a bishop? At which General Conference did he deliver the Episcopal Address?
1. Bishop Nichols elected and consecrated a bishop in 1940
2. Bishop Flipper was the Senior Bishop of the AME Church when Bishop Nichols was elected
3. Bishop Nichols delivered the Episcopal Address 1952.
Question 2: In what year was the first Bishops’ Council held? In what year was the AME Church divided into Episcopal Districts? Into how many districts was the Church divided? Name the bishops and their Episcopal assignments. You must answer all parts of this question fully.
1. The first Bishops’ Council held 1852
2. The AME Church was divided into Episcopal Districts in 1852
3. The Church was divided into three Districts
4. The bishops and their Episcopal assignments:
The First Episcopal District- Bishop Payne
The Second Episcopal District - Bishop Willis Nazrey
The Third Episcopal District - Bishop Quinn
Editor’s comment: Young Stephen, age 13, has won any Bible of his choice that is sold in the AMEC Bookstore and Bishop Nichols’ book, but has chosen to donate the Bible to an upcoming minister from Districts 14 -20. Upcoming ministers from Districts 14 – 20 or Bishops from those Districts should contact Stephen Green: preacherskid92@hotmail.com to submit your nomination for who received the Bible. The AMEC Bookstore has some wonderful Bibles at reasonable prices.
Thank you Stephen, for your participation and generosity and willingness to donate the Bible you won to an upcoming minister from Districts 14 – 20.
Young people amaze me. Jesus certainly knew what he was talking about when he told the disciples, and us to “become like little children.”
2. LIVING WELL – THE QUADRENNIAL THEME OF THE COUNCIL OF BISHOPS FOR THE CHURCH:
The Council of Bishops launched a quadrennial focus under the theme, “Living Well.” Each year a new but related focus will be emphasiszed, calling the church to a new awareness for fullness of life. Under the leadership of Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie the Council of Bishops will publish each year a book of sermons, prayers, bible studies and meditations written and submitted by the bishops of the Church. Keep an eye our for this hot publication to be released at the 2005 Bishops’ Council in Dallas next week.
The themes are: 2005 – 2006, Living Well; 2006 – 2007, Serving Well; 2007 -2008, Managing Well; and 2008-2009 Finishing Well. This will prove to be a unifying force for the Church that will provide material for preaching themes, bible studies and other unifying activities. The President and the Council of Bishops are to be commended for focusing upon the ministry and responsibility that affects every one of us, the ministry of “Living Well.”
There will be a book signing by all of the bishops in conjuction with the luncheon at the General Board / Bishops’ Council Meeting. A beautiful poster that can be displayed in a worship facility or in your home will be made available.
3. THE 29TH BIENNIAL SESSION CONNECTIONAL LAY ORGANIZATION OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, JULY 24TH – 28TH, 2005, HOUSTON, TEXAS, HILTON AMERICAS OF HOUSTON, TEXAS:
Onsite registration is $225.00
Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr., Lay Commission Chairman
Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram. Host Bishop
Mr. Jesse L. Burns, Jr., President, Connectional Lay Organization
Mrs. Florence J. Warren, Director of Lay Activities, Connectional Lay Organization
Mr. Charles Rainwater, President, Tenth Episcopal District
Highlights:
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Power Brunch- (El Hajj Level, Musical Guest and Carita Montgomery-Featured Speaker)
Service of Word Sacrament – Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram, Preaching
Monday, July 25, 2005
Election of Connectional Officers (2005-2009)
Judge Mablean Ephriam, Keynote Speaker
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Attorney Harry E. Johnson, Keynote Speaker (Men’s Empowerment Lunch)
RNC & DNC Presentations- (Chairmen Ken Mehlman and Governor Howard Dean, M.D.)
President’s Black Tie Affair (Benefit for Morris Brown College)
Concert Featuring: Vickie Winans (Benefiting the Morris Brown Initiative and CLEDC)
Wednesday; July 25, 2005
Gwendolyn Boyd, Keynote Speaker (Women’s Empowerment Lunch)
Late Night Explosion featuring James Fortune and Fiya – Musical Guest
Thursday, July 26, 2005
Installation of Connectional Officers
Awards Banquet & Scholarship Presentations
4. PASTOR JAMES MOODY AND QUINN CHAPEL AME, CHICAGO SHARES THEIR JULY BOOK OF THE MONTH SELECTION:
The Accountable Man: Pursuing Integrity through Trust and FriendshipTom L. Eisenman
July’s book of the month is mandatory reading for every Christian man who desires to walk in integrity and wisdom. Although the book is written to men, it is highly recommended that every woman who has a husband, romantic interest, or grown son read this volume to assist him in developing the kind of honest accountable relationships that lead to integrity and wisdom.
Developing deeper and more meaningful relationships with others takes time, energy and intentionality. Many men today feel like they are already overwhelmed with business commitments, church involvement and responsibilities to serve their families. They find it difficult to carve out the time to develop good and lasting relationships with other men. But lacking this support system, men who are burning out are also more vulnerable to spiritual collapse and moral failure that can ruin them. It's too great a price to pay. We have to give priority and focused attention to our spiritual health. A solid, consistent spiritual walk is usually the fruit of maintaining key relationships with other men who are committed to upholding and strengthening one another.
The “accountable man” is a Christian man who is willing to risk opening his life up to others in order to become answerable for his attitude and actions. In The Accountable Man I emphasize that it is essential to have at least one friend we can count on to speak the truth to us in love (Eph. 4:15). We all need the help of others to honestly see where there may be inconsistencies between what we say we believe and how we actually live. It takes great maturity for a man to risk entering into this kind of honest relationship. But when a man takes this step, he is making a spiritual commitment to be everything he can be for Christ. God always blesses this kind of mature obedience. (Tom L. Eisenman)
“The Accountable Man” is available at the book table of Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church for $6.00 per copy or by simply double clicking the title in the heading of this document. Click: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=23824&event=ESRCN for purchase via the World Wide Web.
Pastor James Moody
Quinn Chapel, Chicago
5. MEDITATION – THE PASTOR’S CORNER
Going Forward With God, Accountability through Friendships
1Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 3And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. (I Samuel 18: 1, 3-4)
The passage above describes two men who entered a covenant of Friendship – they became godly friends. Jonathan and David had a relationship of love and loyalty. Love – the highest preference one person demonstrates for another. The opposite of love is not hatred, but indifference – not caring about one another. That is the choice we are faced with daily.
Tom L. Eisenman, author of “The Accountable Man: Pursuing Integrity Through Trust and Friendship” says, “ Developing deeper and more meaningful relationships with others takes time, energy and intentionality. Many men today feel like they are already overwhelmed with business commitments, church involvement and responsibilities to serve their families. They find it difficult to carve out the time to develop good and lasting relationships with other men. But lacking this support system, men who are burning out are also more vulnerable to spiritual collapse and moral failure that can ruin them. It is too great a price to pay. We have to give priority and focused attention to our spiritual health. A solid, consistent spiritual walk is usually the fruit of maintaining key relationships with other men who are committed to upholding and strengthening one another.”
Products of Accountable Friendships are Prevention, Protection, and Provision
1. I Samuel 20: 1-3 – We Prevent One Another From Rationalizing - Jonathan rationalized, “Daddy wouldn’t kill you, David!” The key is honesty between us. Rationalizing is the tendency we have to justify something in our own minds – even if the wisdom of God and the circumstances of our reality contradict our assertions. Accountable friends find a loving way of bringing us back to reality – even if it hurts us to do so.
2. I Samuel 19: 1-3 – We Protect Each Other From Danger - Jonathan informed David of the danger David was in. The key is keeping each other from becoming lost, isolated, and vulnerable. Predators separate out of the herd the foolish, inexperienced, or weak. There is safety in having others who can confide in and will come along side us in our times of decision. Solomon said, “A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12)
3. I Samuel 23: 13-18 – We Provide Each Other Strength in God - Jonathan was a listening ear to a weary David. The key is to be a good listener. Together we find strength in God for the journey ahead (v. 16). We are reminded of God’s purpose for our lives in the midst of trying circumstances (v. 17). We bring God’s presence and God’s wisdom – knowledge applied according to the mind of Christ.
God is inviting us into His friendship. He gives each man of God “the mind of Christ” (I Corinthians 2: 16). He uses relationships between men as a tool in the fulfillment of the finished work of Christ on the cross. Choose today to be a Christian man who is willing to risk opening his life up to others in order to become answerable for his attitude and actions. Be an “accountable man.”
Pastor Moody
Quinn Chapel, Chicago
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
