Bishop Richard Franklin Norris - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor, The Christian Recorder
1. I RECEIVED RESPONSES TO MY EDITORIAL - I WANT TO KNOW…:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
I received responses to my Editorial, “I Want to Know…” from members of the clergy and laity. A couple of respondents also had some questions.
Restated Questions and Responses -
I want to know why any pastor would allow any steward, trustee and other officers to serve in leadership positions in the local church that does not study the Bible or seek spiritual growth and development.
Response:
- The Book of Discipline says that Stewards "must be of solid piety, know and love the word of God, the African Methodist Episcopal Church Doctrine and The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church." Since Stewards are the key lay leaders, that should apply by extension to all laypersons holding office and should be one of the prayerful considerations for pastors preparing for Conference year church organization. We sometimes, however, hang onto incumbent officeholders because they and their allies might not like it, and we sometimes choose officers on the basis of profession or connections rather than piety and spiritual commitment. A colleague of my acquaintance once appointed a fairly new member as a Steward because he was a banker, and then said after a year of that Steward’s performance, "I shouldn’t have done that - he knows money, but he doesn’t really know Jesus!
I want to know how any pastor would allow officers to serve in leadership positions in the local church who does not have any knowledge of The Discipline or how the AME Church functions.
Response:
- The root cause for such appointments arises out of a pastor's self-interest / insecurity. A lot of pastors are uneasy about working with an informed laity because they (pastors) don't like sharing power or participating in shared governance.
I want to how we can allow any itinerant elder, local elder, local deacon, licentiate, exhorter to be in good and regular standing in the Church who does not maintain biblical and theological proficiency.
Response:
- Many AME congregations do not take theological proficiency as a serious requirement for ministry. We are more concerned with the superficial aspects of preaching, singing, whopping and talking ad nauseum about the "evils" of conservative politics.
I want to know how we can allow candidates for ministry to move toward ordination who do not have a plan for meeting the requirements and maintaining proficiency in the profession of ministry.
Response:
- Mandatory retirement for our senior clergy creates a supply-bottleneck. In order to replace the retired population the AMEC is now receiving too many unqualified candidates for ministry. The AME Church has bottlenecks and such bottlenecks, in the absence of enforcement standards; inefficiencies will occur.
I want to know how any local church would not insist that their ministers regularly attend theological and educational updates.
Response:
- We need to deal with the issue of continuing education and professional review for competence when we gather for the General Conference in Nashville in 2012 because The Discipline doesn’t include a systematic requirement for continuing theological education or professional evaluation - once you’re in and elected and ordained an Elder, you’re pretty much free and clear. That may be because a good portion of those who amend the positive law at the General Conference are itinerant Elders of long standing and know that a firm requirement for continuing education might have an impact upon us. Human nature seems to lead us to make firm requirements for others, but not for ourselves. As one of my seminary professors said, "Sins of the flesh have always been considered more egregious than sins of the spirit because those church fathers that made the rules were less likely at their age to commit sins of the flesh!"
I want to know why any local church would recommend a candidate for ministry who does not have a spiritual, biblical, educational, emotional foundation, or aptitude for ministry.
Response:
- Any local church that recommends a candidate for ministry without the necessary requirements is an indication that the congregation is theologically immature.
- The Book of Discipline also sets firm standards for educational preparation for itinerant ministry and rules that can be applied to local ministry, but we sometimes find ways to "skirt" those rules for those that we like. We also apply the same standard for local clergy and licentiates who are well connected in our church families, lest we incur the wrath of their family members. I discovered during an Annual Conference "roll call" that I had an itinerant Deacon on my staff at my second pastoral appointment that I had never met. When I asked those at the church why the brother didn’t attend, they said, "He’s never attended - he just came one Sunday and said that he was called to preach, and the old pastor took him through!"
I want to know how any local church would not insist that their ministers regularly attend theological and educational updates.
Response:
- Churches that are indifferent to ministers’ re-tooling and re-training typically have low collective biblical and theological IQs. Theological education is not a priority for many local churches because they are content with mediocrity.
I want to know why a local church would not say, “No" to someone who is not suited for ministry and why local churches, the Quarterly Conference and the District Conference recommend unqualified candidates for ministry.
Response:
- We fail to say “No” to unqualified candidates because we are terrified about hurting someone's feeling or acting as "judging" or usurping God's role in determining a candidate's call to service; in short, we are spiritual cowards.
I want to know why any pastor would tell a local congregation that he or she does not know where the budget money goes.
Response:
- The response by a pastor of not knowing where the budget money goes is plausible. There is not a lot of transparency in our financial reporting activities.
- The pastors who do that are often the ones who have problems in choosing and supervising good lay leadership and in general pastoral performance, and who are most likely to voluntarily or involuntarily "church hop." I wouldn’t judge my colleagues who say that, but I can share with them what has worked for me for over thirty years.
- As a pastor, I make it a practice of plainly including all financial responsibilities beyond the local church in the annual budget - not for a vote, but for information - and take the time to explain where the money goes for each line item. In the event of special "askings," I do the same. I’ve found that if we take the time to educate our members, then they’re more willing to do the right thing. I’ve also found that the laity who ask those questions are sometimes those who also question the pastor’s salary and the local church budget. When pastors say, "I don’t know where the money goes," those lay folk are more comfortable in saying the same thing to other members of the church about the local budget!
I want to know why anybody would go into the Itinerant ministry when he or she knows that they are not going to fulfill the academic and theological requirements for ordination.
Response:
- This is an enforcement issue. If sanctions are credible about not meeting such standards people would comply. Economic theory teaches compliance is always low when agents perceive the costs of enforcement are less than the benefits of a given activity.
- We don’t prayerfully and objectively follow our structure, and that those of us in pastoral ministry sometimes opt for what is “convenient,” rather than for what is right.
I want to know why anybody would go into the Itinerant ministry who does not believe or accept The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Response:
- Perhaps some people aspire to the AME ministry to acquire a pastorate; they like the idea that a Bishop will assign them a Church rather than the congregational model of selecting pastors.
- Itinerant ministers who are agnostic about The Discipline feel they have leverage over a congregation which may be generally ignorant about The Discipline. If AME congregations demanded more and presiding bishops accommodated those demands, this would cease to be a problem.
I want to know why anybody would go into the Itinerant ministry knowing full-well that he or she has no intention of pastoring a church, or no plans to do fulltime ministry in any capacity.
Response:
- Such itinerant ministers like the benefits that the status of "itineracy" brings, but reject the costs associated with such status. The AMEC should adopt the principles of the Armed Forces and reduce a minister's rank if he/she is unwilling to comply with the conditions of this level of ordination.
- The answer to your "I want to Knows" with regard to ministry can be found if those of us who are blessed to serve as pastors and members of the Boards of Examiners simply do their work. The questions you asked as to intent, willingness to be truly itinerant pastors and educational plans should be asked when anyone answers the call to ministry. They should be asked one-on-one during initial pastoral counseling, publicly explored before the Board of Stewards, the Church Conference, the Quarterly Conference and the District Conference, and should be a part of the counseling and evaluative process of the Board of Examiners
I want to know why anybody would go into the Itinerant ministry and just be satisfied with sitting in the pulpit, praying when called upon, reading the scripture or leading in the Decalogue.
Response:
- Sadly, some of our ministers are just lazy and see no problem with their slothful behavior.
I want to know why anybody would go into the Itinerant ministry track with the thought that they cannot go into fulltime ministry because there are no local churches that can support them. Even the disciples quit their fishing jobs to follow Jesus.
Response:
- Some ministers are simply too risk-averse to engage in meaningful ministry. Sitting in the pulpit and giving perfunctory prayers represents a low-risk option.
I want to know how any local church accepts “weekend warrior" pastors; pastors who only work on weekends; do nothing at the church during the week; paid a fulltime salary; and essentially, get paid to go to church.
Response:
- With the exception of a mid-week funeral or noon-day Bible Study, many pastors do not have a comprehensive weekly schedule and many do not post or publish their office schedules; those who do are an exception.
I want to know how any pastor could be satisfied in part-time ministry; preach on Sunday and go back to his or her secular (real) job on Monday morning like anyone else who has a job.
Response:
- When you are pastoring a flock of 10-30 members the rate of monetary remuneration will not support a pastor and his or her family. Supplemental income is logical. We need pay equity among our AME Pastors. Full-time pastors who pastor large congregations can forgo working in a "secular" job whereas pastors of smaller congregations are faced with different economic constraints.
I want to know how any local church would not insist that their pastors and ministers subscribe to all of the periodicals of the Church. And for those who don't know the names of the AME periodicals: The Christian Recorder, The A.M.E. Church Review, The Voice of Missions, The journal of Religious Education, The Women's Missionary Magazine, The Secret Chamber, and The YPD Newsletter.
Response:
- We give lip service to Christian Education but in reality, for the large part, Christian Education is not a priority. Our Bible Study classes and Church School attendance are only a small fraction of our Sunday morning 11 o’clock worship service attendance. Many of the clergy do not set the example of attending Church School.
Additional Questions asked by others:
- What I want to know is when we as a Church will simply do what we should do in a faithful and responsible manner?
- What is the correct procedure and process for a license minister on trial as a licentiate who leaves his or her local church he or she was actually license by the quarterly conference and who then decides to leave and move his or her membership to a another local AME Church; do they start over and will they have to go before another church Conference and quarterly Conference to restart the ministerial process?
Editor’s Note: I decided to exclude the names of the respondents, because their responses were more important than their names. A special thanks to the persons who responded.
2. THE NIGHT I CRIED FOR MY COUNTRY:
*Danica Daniels
Here I am again… arguing for, and defending Barrack Obama’s platforms; arguing against the usual Southern GOP sympathizers who look as if the anti-Christ has come every time I utter Barack Obama's name.
Every school day, consists of the mighty liberal warrior (me) against the provincial southern good ol’ boy and good ol’ girl’s ideals assaulting my belief system.
I cannot remember when the madness began.
Ahhh… It was back in the weeks before Super Tuesday. It was in January 2008, that I heard about the split of the Democratic Party between the Obama supporters and Clinton supporters (who are we kidding John Edwards never really mattered.
That night, instead of fueling my YouTube addiction, I felt strangely propelled to check out the issues and Google the candidates’ platforms. As usual, thanks to my circuitous nature, I ended up back on YouTube, where I found one of Barrack Obama’s speeches ad-libbed into a song by Will.I.AM. At first, it was the catchy beat that stole my attention but I decided to loop the video and took the time to listen to the words… Bam! It hit me...Hard! Hope, “Yes We Can, Change!” Chanted with a spirit that I had never heard before; and I felt the blindfold of indifference lift off my eyes.
When I listened to Hillary Clinton’s speeches, I didn’t feel the same spirit in her voice.
Choice time! Here is the question? Who am I primarily, an African-American, born to hardworking first-generation Americans or a woman?
My life, before I pondered this question, is lost in the months and years I spent in walking around in my blindfold of indifference through my self-contoured hazy bubble separated from the world.
The truth of the matter is that a substantial amount of people died so that I could have a say in the affairs of my government. The first who sacrifice themselves were those crazy colonists thirsting to be independent. The colonists were followed by those insane women who called themselves feminist, and fought ferociously for women’s suffrage; and last, but not least, those blacks that dared to believe that they were just as good as their white counterparts.
All of those tortured souls pushed on in the heated turmoil that surrounded their bold and vehement decisions to break stringent social constructs and believe something different and embraced a new paradigm took place so that my country would want to hear my thoughts and count my vote. Those people suffered and died for my freedom. I thought to myself, “Why let their ultimate sacrifices be in vain?” Thus, my obsession started with the word, “Hope.”
It is election night. I am pacing back and forth in my living room, while holding five different electoral maps; flipping between news channels and eating gummy worms. This is how I’ve been for an hour or so. All the comments I heard at school today replay in my head. The remarks varied from, “We all know Obama is going to win” to “Can’t wait ‘till McCain is President.” Call it female intuition but I have a feeling that “hope” will prevail and I want to see it. So the counting of electoral votes starts, McCain with eight electoral votes while Obama possessed three electoral votes. The minutes are dragging on with America’s future hanging on every passing second, while my heart rate is increasing. The New England states are in. Obama with 77 electoral votes and McCain with 34 votes, could it be! Calm down, calm down; can’t get excited yet. A premature victory announcement that could lead to a monumental loss would be enough to give me a heart attack.
An hour and a half later, Obama’s numbers are rising with his electoral count at 102 while poor ol’ McCain is still hanging on to his 34.
“God, seriously; you’re going to make me go through all of this mental stress, when I have school tomorrow? Could you speed the process up, Big Man,” I say while staring at my ceiling. But God is busy, even though I know God hears my prayer, God also has to process the prayers for McCain at the same time. Two hours later, its 9:00 p.m. No, No, Lord have mercy, No! Must be my stupid contacts playing a joke on me. Obama is at 194 electoral votes while McCain is at 69. Breathe 270 votes to win. Wait, what’s 270 minus 194? 76.
I can’t control myself and I’m out of gummy worms… what now? Picking up my cell phone, I plan to call everyone in my phone book, including my parents who probably are thinking that being across the Atlantic, in West Africa, exempts them from my Obama - induced insanity but, oh no!
“Hello” a groggy voice that sounds like my father says.
“Dad, are you watching!” “Hi Dee, How are you?”
“I’m fine! But are you watching the election?”
“No, but we’ll turn CNN on”
“Okay, call you a little later, Dad. Bye!” I practically scream!
The numbers keep rolling Obama with 207 and McCain 89.
Breathe, Danica!
Millions of thoughts speed down the autobahn of my mind and it is just way too much to handle.
McCain at 135 votes now. It is up to the Western states now. Holding my chest so my heart won’t pound out of my body, Ten minutes until the polls on the West coast close. I blink and when I open my eyes a minute is left. My heart is beating like it would be in the last seconds of a soccer or basketball game, when victory is so close and adrenaline takes over your body and you’re no longer in control. Thirty-four seconds more and then I will know how this race will finish.
Counting 24 more seconds, 16 seconds, 10 seconds, 5 seconds, 4 seconds, 3 seconds, 2 seconds, 1 more second.
The CNN announcer says, “We can now project Barrack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America.”
Where’s the remote? Quickly, I switch to FOX News and they make the same announcement. So does CBS, NBC and ABC.
My schizophrenic pacing begins. I don’t know how to handle these emotions. There are people all over the world rejoicing. But I will not cry. While I am trying to keep the sangfroid of a Buddhist monk, the phone starts ringing.
“Hello” I say in a shaky voice.
My cousin Zoee answers “Hey Dee, Are you watching? Isn’t it amazing he won?”
I do not know how to control it anymore so, I let the rain pour. I can’t utter a word; I put the phone down hoping she would understand.
I run upstairs to get my aunt and my grandma and we are all crying. Salty tears are washing away the atrocities of the past and cleansing my body of any act of racial or moral injustice reverberating in my memory.
My parents! I have to call them.
“Hello Dee,” answers my mom.
“Mommie” I say through the gallons of salt water falling from my eyes. “He did it, Mom! He did it. No one thought he could, Mom! I hoped and I prayed but I didn’t think I would see it.”
She soothes me and tells me to calm down before I make myself sick and she passes the phone to my dad.
The tears start all over.
“Dad, I never thought I would be alive to see this and here I am. What force, what majesty has the power to do such a thing, but God?”
He did his best to calm me down and I say “Goodnight” (or rather good morning, since it is 4 a.m. in West Africa).
I pray and ask God what I did to deserve such a moment in my lifetime? I don’t know the answer but I thank God. As the slaves had done, in the darkest hours from the bottom of the slave ship until the Bells of Freedom rang, over every mountain top and valley low. The water from my salty tears dissolved away leaving spots of salt on the counter, just like the national troubles facing the United States will surely melt away, leaving the hope of a new tomorrow.
November, the forth, two thousand and eight; the night I cried for my country because for the first time, I felt my tears were not in vain.
Up these stairs in Barks Hall at Hammond school, another morning but this morning I hold my head a little higher and walk just a little faster, not letting my lassitude slow me down.
As I burst through the heavy metal door, Robert Killifer is the first to greet me, with the words I thought only I was thinking, “We did it!”
Smiling, I reply, “Yes we did!”
I will let the McCain supporters have their moment to overcome their candidate’s defeat. I refuse to let any bitterness infringe on this moment for me. I won’t speak out when they inveigh against the President-elect with their crude angry remarks. Only a few people at Hammond would understand how personal this was.
This country has so many opportunities that are taken for granted each day.
This country accepted my parents when they had nothing to offer; they were just two Liberians stuck in a war-torn country that was vibrating with eruptions of violence. Neither of them were American citizens so, the U.S. government wasn’t concerned with their safety. They were a young married couple who possessed only the clothes they wore on their backs; their faith in God; and an eighteen-month-old baby girl who happened to be an American citizen. That was enough to get them airlifted to safety.
This country was capable of saving my family, but I would have never thought we could elect a man who is a part of a minority to lead the masses of this marvelous nation.
President Barrack Obama said on election night, “Change has come to America.”
But hasn't America, instead, come to change? All the way from, the long walks through the darkest and hardest moments to the patriotic marches through the shining times in our young nation’s history.
Fifty-three percent of Americans came knocking on Change’s door that night. I didn’t vote but I’m one of them. My country finally accepts me. Just the way I am, just the way I look. And that’s why I was crying.
That night God answered my prayers and showed me that I’m an American for a reason. That night will be forever etched in my memory.
Because of that night I now can proudly say that this is the United States of America, where nothing is too hard and anything can be achieved.
This Liberian-American who considers herself a dreamer can dream again. For this is why, on that night, I cried for my country because my country opened her arms to me for the second time in my life and once again whispered promises of a better tomorrow in my ear.
Editor’s Note: This article was written by Miss Danica Daniels. Danica is 14-years-old and is the daughter of Bishop David R. and Mrs. Irene Moifoi Daniels. Danica wrote the article for her English 9 class that’s taught by Mrs. Norris. Danica attends Hammond School in Columbia, South Carolina.
3. THE TWELFTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT WELCOMES NEW EPISCOPAL FAMILY:
The Twelfth Episcopal District welcomed our new Episcopal family, Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr., Dr. Ava S. B. Green and Stephen Green at the yearly Christian Leadership Congress at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas two weeks after Bishop received his appointment to the 12th at the General Conference. Their son Stephen immediately became one of the working youth in the district.
Bishop Green spent his time after the Leadership Congress getting to know members of the Twelfth in Arkansas and Oklahoma before the Annual Conferences. His travels have been like the Circuit Riders of olden days. He has worshiped in almost every AME Church in the Twelfth Episcopal District, because he felt a need to meet all the people as Chief Pastor of these churches. He has met almost everyone during the last six months. His future plans are to touch the floor of every sanctuary in the twelfth at least four times during this Quadrennial.
He has preached at many revivals with large numbers in attendance crossing over into all denominations. The crowds are getting larger everywhere he goes. His focus is on Frangelizing. In other words, he is energizing the members to start evangelizing first their friends, then their relatives and then to go after their neighbors. Telling them that God is alive, the African Methodist Episcopal Church is alive and that the church has a mission to fulfill their spiritual needs. Bishop Green has been a doer and has been spreading the word that our Zion is a need meeting church and we have something to offer the whole community of faith.
A new website has been developed, www.12thdistrictame.com and Bishop Green is teaching bible study using computer technology, “real time” every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. central standard time. You can find the site immediately at www.jacksonseminary.us and click on the words “bible study”.
Bishop Green, Dr. Ava and Stephen attended all seven conferences and round reports were made at every conference. The theme: “God First” has resonated throughout the district. All the worship services have been spirit filled as many have come forth to be saved.
The last meeting for the year was the Fall Convocation and Planning Meeting held at Union African Methodist Episcopal Church in Little Rock, Arkansas on December 11-13, 2008, where the Reverend Nolan Watson is pastor, the Reverend Dr. Thomas G. Allen, host Presiding Elder (Little Rock District) and the Reverend Clarence Guy, the Associate Presiding Elder (North Little Rock District).
Bishop Green has brought a new concept with the incorporation of a Fall Convocation designed using the spoken word to uplift and revive the pastors and members of the district while still planning for a new conference year.
The Reverend Willie R. Norful, pastor of Saint John AME Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas served as worship leader for the opening worship service on Thursday morning. The Oklahoma Conference Choir provided the music for the service. Bishop Green introduced the speaker of the hour, Reverend Harvey G. Potts, pastor of Allen Chapel AME Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, who preached from the subject, “Holding On to Pharaoh “ and his text was taken from Exodus 14:10-15.
The first day afternoon business session of the Twelfth District Planning Meeting convened at 2:50 p.m. opening with devotion. Rev. Kent J. Broughton, pastor of Mt. Pleasant AME, Pine Bluff, Arkansas was the devotion leader. Rev. Randolph Martin, pastor of Allen Chapel, Pine Bluff, AR, offered the prayer and Rev. Tom Scott, pastor of Bethel AME, Stuttgart, AR, read the scriptures.
Bishop Green spoke to the District about our future plans. He reviewed the 2008-2012 Program of Ministry. The program had 10 Ministries listed for the 12th Episcopal District; Evangelism, to include FRANgelism and Street Ministry; Economic development, to promote and facilitate community economic development by engaging in faith based initiatives, etc; Empowerment, to provide an atmosphere where the value of every member, their ideas and suggestions are welcomed, encouraging all to participate in the development of the mission of the district; Education, providing opportunities for Continuing Education, through Shorter College and Jackson Theological Seminary, which has established and new relationship with the Florida Center for Theological Studies to provide an opportunity for students to obtain accredited degrees until Jackson is accredited; Family Ministry, to educate and arm families with tools necessary to combat the secular world, to provide opportunities where families can celebrate and experience their joys and sorrows of life as Married Couples /Singles / Youth and Young Adults / Seniors / Women and Men. The Nehemiah Men are being establish to pool their engineering, carpentry, electrical, plumbing skills, etc., so that they can be a blessing to the churches of the Twelfth in need of aid for their physical plants. Bishop commended the 12th on singing a new song and walking in a new ministry. He further thank the district for accepting that in planning some things may change and he challenge the 12th to walk the walk they talked, recognizing that if you want different results you may have to do different things.
Bishop Green welcomed two transfers: The Reverend Roy Jones from the New York Conference, First Episcopal District to the Twelfth District and The Reverend Eddie Harris, Jr., who transferred from the Eighth District to the Twelfth District, Oklahoma Conference and was appointed to Barnett Chapel AME Church in Lawton, OK. Reverend Harris is one of Bishop Green’s sons in the ministry.
The following departments met from 3:30 to 5:30 to plan their goals and objectives for the new conference year: Women Missionary Society, Board of Examiners, Women in Ministry, Music Ministry, and Conference Secretaries. Bishop met with everyone not attending a meeting in the fellowship hall of Union to discuss insurance and financial savings for their churches.
Thursday Night was designated as the Bishop’s Night Worship Service, the Reverend Larry Banks, pastor of First A.M.E. Church Oklahoma City, served as worship leader. The choirs from the Oklahoma and West Conferences provided the music. Special guests, Ministers of Music Michael and Gerry Thompson, travelled from Florida to be with Bishop during this time. The title of Bishop Green’s sermon was, “A Fresh Anointing”. His text was taken from Psalms 92. Bishop stated, “A season has ended and the 12th is on the threshold of the beginning of a new season and we need a fresh anointing. Too many have been operating in the natural, trying to do the spiritual; God wants us to step into our season with a fresh anointing. God will breathe a fresh anointing on you tonight”. The spirit was high and the church had standing room only! This was unusual for a Thursday night planning meeting.
President David Fielding and the Twelfth Episcopal District Lay Organization sponsored an Education Prayer Breakfast at the H.A. Belin Complex, Shorter College at 8 a.m. Friday. Mr. Mike Beebe, the Governor of Arkansas was the featured speaker. Bishop Green shared plans for a new set of dormitories for Shorter College and made a major announcement that Shorter College should be accredited by 2010.
The Planning sessions for Ministries continued from 10:00 AM –12 Noon. They were the Women’s Missionary Society, Richard Allen Young Adult Council (RAYAC) and Sons of Allen. During this same time period, Dr. Tom Diamond, pastor of Abyssinia Missionary Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida conducted a workshop titled, “Growing Your Church through an Effective Sunday School”. President Piccola Washington and the M-SWAWO Executive Board met at 11:15 AM in Union’s multipurpose room. The Board of Examiners was given a seminar utilizing Jackson Seminary’s live video conferencing system.
The Reverend Michelle Moulden, pastor of Vernon Chapel AME Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma served as worship leader during the noonday worship service on Friday. The district choir and Michael and Gerry Thompson provided music. Superintendent Derrick Hutchins, Chairman of the General Council of Pastors and Elders in the Church of God in Christ was the preacher for the hour. His subject was, “Life from God’s Point of View”, from James 4:14. Superintendent Hutchins asked the question, “What is Life?” He stated, “Life is a test! Many things drive you; for example, many people are driven by guilt, fear, and many are driven by materialism”. He stressed that God does not change, but things do. We must try to look at life through God’s eyes and develop His point of view.
The third Ministries Planning Session convened after lunch from 3:00 PM to 5 PM. The organizations that met were the Lay Organization, Christian Education and M-SWAWO. During this time Workshop II, “Growing Your Church through an Effective Sunday School” with Dr. Tom Diamond as instructor continued at Union Church and Bishop Samuel Green was the instructor for a workshop titled, Church Growth” at Bethel Sanctuary.
Mrs. Lyndajo Jones, the 12th Commissioner and The Debutantes and Masters Commission met at 4:00 PM
The Reverend Thomas G. Allen, Presiding Elder of the Little Rock District served as worship leader for the Friday evening worship service. The worship participants included the following Presiding Elders; The Reverends Lonnie Johnson, James Hooper, Clarence Reynolds, Thomas Adair, Napoleon Davis, Roger Alford, Pollie Ragsdale and Clarence Guy. The Arkansas Conference Choir directed by Mr. LaBarron Mizer, their Minister of Music and the South Arkansas Conference Choir provided the music. The speaker for the hour was the Reverend Dr. Michael Bell, Pastor from the Second District. His subject, “You Already Heard Enough” with his text taken from John 20:30-31.
Pastors and Members of the Twelfth Episcopal District surprised the Green family just before dismissal with a special Christmas appreciation as everyone in attendance came by to hug and give a gift to Bishop Green, Dr. Ava and Stephen. The Christmas Reception sponsored by the Green Family was planned at no cost to the district. It was a gift from Bishop and family. As usual, Bishop greeted everyone by walking throughout the crowd and help Senior Citizens who needed help getting refreshments.
Mrs. Brenda Fields, YPD Director, Dr. Ava and The YPD Executive Board met at 10:45 PM at Union AME Church to make their plans for the new conference year. The YPD had their planning meeting on Saturday, December 13 at 8:00 AM. A large delegation of young people from all over the district was in attendance.
The closing plenary session on Saturday morning included the District Calendar, Annual Conference agenda, Twelfth Episcopal District (T.E.D.) Budget Presentation and the Ministries Plans and Schedules. The following ministries reported; Women’s Missionary Society, Young People’s Division, DMC, RAYAC, M-SWAWO, Ecumenical Relations, Health Commission, Social Action, Board of Examiners, Church Growth & Development, Conference Secretaries, Lay Organization, Christian Education, Sons of Allen, Women in Ministry and Public Relations.
Rev. Michelle Moulden, one of the host pastors of the Mid Year Holy Convocation & Pastors Conference gave information during the morning session about the reservations for lodging at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She reminded everyone that everything would be held in the hotel. You will not have to go outside for anything after you arrive. She encouraged everyone to reserve their rooms, because rooms were filling fast. The deadline is February 2, 2009.
Bishop Green reminded everyone about an All Ministry Retreat Weekend scheduled for May 21-23. He stated it was for everyone and really stressed that all clergy should be there. Additions to the calendar were two Pentecost Revivals, one in Oklahoma (Avery Chapel AME Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) and one in Arkansas (the Convention Center in Pine Bluff). The Rev. Jasper W. Williams, Jr., will be the Evangelist.
The Annual Conference Schedules were reviewed, and all were moved up two weeks on the schedule. No conference will take place on Sunday. Bishop stated he remembers how hard it was to catch up after missing a Sunday. This brought applause from the congregation. Pre-conference activities will include a Monday night for the Men (Sons of Allen) and Tuesday will remain the Women’s Missionary Annual Convention Day. Additional calendar dates and special programs added, (i.e. Economic Development Sunday and Theological Fund Sunday), were approved by the delegation.
Bishop Green introduced his brother, Dr. John F. Green, Dean of Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Green brought greetings and thanked the 12th for the excellent treatment given to his brother, Bishop Green and family. He invited the 12th to Atlanta on February 2-5, 2009 where he will be hosting Turner’s Annual Founder’s Day Celebration.
The Reverend Marcellus Fields, pastor of St. John AME Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma was the worship leader for the closing worship service. Saint Paul AME -Jonesboro, AR., Curry Chapel AME- Strong, AR and Bethel AME –Stuttgart, AR Choirs provided the music. Michael and Gerry Thompson provided special music. The preacher of the hour was the Reverend Wayne A. Johnson, the new Presiding Elder of the Muskogee District and pastor of St. Paul AME Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He selected for a subject, “Hope in the Mist of Despair”. His text was taken from II Corinthians 4:8-18. The Presiding Elder stressed that as the Lord’s people we need to keep our eye on the prize. Even when we can’t see God, every now and then we can feel God’s presence. He said, “It is what it is, but it ain’t what it seems. You got to hang in there. No matter what you’re going through, there is hope in despair!”
A few ministerial appointments were read, and as Bishop shared his closing remarks, he walked down the aisle to the front door and said, "Praise God from whom all Blessing flow.” The Fall Convocation and Planning Meeting came to an end as members walked down the aisle to shake Bishop Green’s hand as they exited the church doors.
*Submitted by: Mrs. Ann Gilkey, Public Relations Director (Arkansas); the Rev. Roger Alford, Public Relations Director (Oklahoma); the Rev. Charles Frost, Coordinator, Conference Secretaries
4. FIRST AME CHURCH CELEBRATES 150 YEARS OF SERVICE TO OAKLAND COMMUNITY:
Oakland’s First African Methodist Episcopal Church celebrated 150 years of service to the community during a gala event on Friday at the Oakland Marriott City Center.
First AME Church is the oldest black church in the immediate East Bay area. Since its beginning in 1858 (under the name Shiloh AME Church), seven area AME churches have been organized. Today, with over 3,700 members, First AME Church is one of the largest churches in the Fifth Episcopal District.
“FAME has to be that light that says to people, ‘We can break through,’” said FAME’s pastor the Reverend Harold Mayberry. “It has been 150 years of up and down, bitter and sweet. But it is worthy of the work witnessed in the community we love and doing what God has asked us to do. This marks the dawning of our life.”
Television station KRON 4 news anchor Pam Moore served as the mistress of ceremonies during the event. Marc Morial, CEO and president of the National Urban League, gave the keynote address.
Also in attendance were First Lady Mary Mayberry; Bishop T. Larry Kirkland; City Councilwoman, Desley Brooks; Congresswoman Barbara Lee; Assemblyman Sandré Swanson; actor and director Delroy Lindo; and Mrs. Nashormeh Lindo.
Mayor Ron Dellums’ deputy chief of staff Leslie Littleton and deputy director of intergovernmental affairs VaShone Huff presented a proclamation to FAME for its commitment to the Oakland community. Nov. 14, 2008 was declared as First African Methodist Episcopal Church Day.
“We are a church that truly has a legacy of excellence,” said Brooks. “We have much work to do. Without First AME, we would have a void. We will continue to do the work in God’s way as a community.”
Grammy Award winner Dorinda Clark-Cole of the famed Clark Sisters performed at the event. “I am excited about what God is doing in the Oakland area,” she said. “Look around and see what God has brought us out from. One hundred and fifty years, that’s wonderful to still be sticking around, the grace of God keeping us in His care.”
The celebration also honored three outstanding individuals for their hard work, leadership and contribution to the community. J. Alfred Smith Sr., senior pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church, received the Visionary Award; Bernard Tyson, executive vice president for health plan and hospital operations for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, received the Leadership Award; and Congresswoman Lee received the Trailblazer Award.
Future projects planned by First AME Church include employment opportunities for Oakland residents and a shoeshine parlor, grocery store, bookstore and community daycare center.
For more information, contact FAME at (510) 655-1527 or visit www.fameoakland.org.
Courtesy of the Globe Newspapers, www.globenewspapers.com
By Aqueila M. Lewis
This article reprinted, "Courtesy of The Globe Newspapers"
5. WAYMAN CHAPEL, ENNIS, TEXAS CELEBRATES 129TH ANNIVERSARY:
On Sunday January 25, Wayman Chapel AME Church celebrated its 129th Anniversary. Wayman Chapel AME, “The friendly Church where everybody is somebody and Christ is All,” is located across in Ennis, Texas.
This 129th Anniversary celebration was awesome!
This service included the singing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing”; the invocation, scripture, and words of welcome by Sister Joan Turner; a proclamation by Ennis mayor, the Honorable Russell Thomas; and a presentation of a Landmark Plaque by the Ennis Heritage Society President, Sugar Glaspy.
Musical selections were rendered by Sisters Jessie Leaks and Nettie Brown, accompanied on piano by Brother Buford Gee; as well as by the Reverend K. M. Williams, the Texas Country Blues Preacher.
Fraternal greetings were brought by District Grand Master Gerald Black of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows (the organization that laid our 1905 cornerstone); Worshipful Master Charles Holliday of Cherubim Lodge #237 of the Prince Hall Masons (the organization that laid our 1966 cornerstone); and my old friend, Masonic Past Grand Secretary C. A. Glaspie.
Special remarks were made by Presiding Elder Emeritus Albert Moore, the man who first suggested that I come to Ennis in 2002. The Reverend Moore introduced Presiding Elder Marshall S. Hobbs, Sr., who delivered the message in place of Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram, who had to return to his home state of Michigan due to a weather-related emergency.
At the conclusion of the service, the congregation assembled by our electronic Cross Sign, where the Reverend Marshall Hobbs, Presiding Elder of the Paul Quinn District, led us in a Prayer of Dedication.
*Dr. R. L. (Bob) Uzzel is the pastor of Wayman Chapel AME Church in Ennis, Texas
6. NUPTIAL CEREMONY OPENS WITH SPIRITUAL SURROGATES:
*Dr. Phyllis Quarles
It was a beautiful autumn day for a wedding in Nashville, Tennessee. And it was the wedding day of Lovette Carene Brooks and Daren Graham Curry, on Saturday, October 11, 2008, held at Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church in Nashville. The bride is the daughter of Mr. Lindsey C. Brooks, Jr. and Dr. Phyllis Qualls-Brooks of Nashville and the groom is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Clarence Curry of Herndon, VA.
The event was s traditional wedding, with the church decorated simply elegantly with the Rev. Dr. Clement W. Fugh, the CIO/and Secretary of the AME Church and who was the childhood pastor of the bride, officiating.
This wedding was unique because it began with the “March of the Spiritual Surrogates.” These were ministers who had a significant impact on the life of the bride. The wedding began with this group marching in on the song “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Their entrance set the tone for the spirituality of the nuptial ceremony in this holy place, the church, so that the union would be blessed by God, from beginning and evermore.
The Spiritual Surrogates included the Rev. Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., publisher and Secretary-Treasurer of the AMEC Sunday School Union and the bride’s pastor when she was a baby, who christened her when he was pastor at Pearl Street A.M.E. Church in Jackson, MS.; the Rev. Yvette Tisdale, who has been a steady and solid supporter of the bride since her high school years; the Rev. W. W. Easley, the bride’s former home church pastor at Greater Bethel, when she was a student at Howard University, and the Rev. Pattie Hardimon, a long-time family friend and spiritual advisor.
Last but not least, was the special uncle to the bride, the Rev. O.D. Evans, pastor of New Hopewell Baptist Church in Taylorsville, MS., who sat with the family, yet spiritually wrapped his loving arms around the couple in prayer to start them on their journey of life together.
The bride and groom are members of First AME Church in Los Angeles.
*Dr. Phyllis Quarles is the mother of the bride
7. MAIN STREET RESPONSE TO WALL STREET WOES:
Mr. Eric Stradford
Investors discovering human capital value in “The Whole Village”
AMWS, Feb 3, 2009, Atlanta -- You have heard of the ancient African proverb, “It takes a whole village to raise a child.” But few, if any Americans have considered the Whole Village as an asset for restoring the nation’s troubled economy. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, no federal or state agency has been mapping human capital assets. That means a region’s most valuable asset, its children is not even in the mix.
So what is a whole village? What is human capital? How do we distinguish a human capital asset from a human capital liability? In a nutshell, the Whole Village is a circular economy. It augments tops-down government investment with grassroots good works. The concept, though historically underfunded, is older than and as valuable as the 12 economic regions collectively known as the Federal Reserve Banking system.
Candidate Barack Obama’s Historic Speech on Racism pointed to America’s “Improbable Experiment in Democracy,” conflicting values in the constitution, and as such, an historic opportunity for realizing the “perfect union” envisioned by some of the nation’s founders. “Yes we can” is a great motivator outside the chambers of the U. S. Congress. However, inside the hallowed halls, it’s about money and power. This week, as debate continues on the President’s Economic Stimulus Bill, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is looking at strategies for including more Americans in the economy.
To understand the inherent challenge in creating an inclusive ownership society, it is useful to consider what ownership in America looks like today. Recent data from the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances estimates that the median family net worth in 2004 was $93,100, and the mean value was $448,200. The average wealth of the top 1% of wealth holders grew from $13.5 million in 2001 to $14.8 million in 2004, a 3 percent annual increase.
Meanwhile, the bottom fifth of U.S. households sunk further into debt; the average debt of this cohort increased to $11,400 in 2004. Aided by policy incentives, Americans build wealth in both financial and non-financial assets. Between 2001 and 2004, financial assets as a share of total assets fell 6.3 percentage points, to 35.7 percent.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) notes: There are an estimated 28 million unbanked and 44.7 million under-banked people in the U.S. today, representing a potential market of 40 million households with little or no current relationship with a financial institution. Underserved consumers generate more than $1.1 trillion in annual income, of which unbanked consumers represent nearly $510 billion each year. The Center for Financial Services Innovation reports that Americans spend at least $10.9 billion on more than 324 million alternative financial transactions a year.
The Alliance for Economic Inclusion (AEI) is the FDIC's national initiative to establish broad-based coalitions of financial institutions, community-based organizations and other partners in ten markets across the country to bring all unbanked and underserved populations into the financial mainstream. To date, 952 banks and organizations have joined AEI nationwide; more than 65,000 new bank accounts have been opened; 45 banks are in the process of offering or developing small-dollar loans; 33 banks are offering remittance products; and more than 61,000 consumers have been provided financial education.
Unfamiliarity with banks or distrust of banks is among the most common reasons why people are unbanked. Unbanked and under-banked individuals rely on a mix of non-bank financial service providers for their needs and are willing to pay the high fees associated with these alternative providers in exchange for the convenience of locations and relative ease in cashing checks, paying bills and accessing cash. The national nonprofit group, Youth Achievers USA Institute underscores the urgency with free FDIC financial literacy for the whole village.
“Financial literacy is a necessary first step to economic inclusion,” said Stephanie A. Walker Stradford, CEO of Youth Achievers USA Institute. “By accessing the mainstream financial system, the whole village can build savings and collectively improve credit-risk profiles, lower their cost of payment services, eliminate a common source of personal stress, and gain access to basic financial services that promote asset accumulation.
The FDIC wants to provide an alternative to high-cost and often predatory financial products for low- and moderate-income individuals and families, including the unbanked and underserved. Every member of the whole village can have reasonable access to full service banking and other financial services.
To achieve these goals, broad-based coalitions in nine markets across the country are working to increase banking services for underserved consumers in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, minority and immigrant communities, and rural areas. These expanded services include savings accounts, affordable remittance products, targeted financial education programs, short-term loans, alternative delivery channels and other asset-building programs.
8. SEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT MINISTERS GAIN CHAPLAIN CERTIFICATION:
The Rev. Tobie Hardy Pollock, pastor of Antioch AMEC and New Chapel AMEC, Union South Carolina, serves as chaplain at Hospice Care of TriCounty, Columbia, South Carolina, has been awarded the distinction of certification as a Board Certified Chaplain in the Association of Professional Chaplains. The presentation took place at the association's conference held in Orlando, Florida, on January 31, 2009. She is also an AME pastor, serving in the Seventh Episcopal District, Presiding Prelate Preston W. Williams, II and Presiding Elder Joseph Postell of the Newberry-Spartanburg District.
The Rev. Ralph Brown, an AME minister serves as chaplain at Palmetto Health [Baptist Hospital], Columbia, South Carolina, has been awarded the distinction of certification as a Board Certified Chaplain in the Association of Professional Chaplains. The presentation took place at the association's conference held in Orlando, Florida, on January 31, 2009. He is also an AME pastor, serving in the Seventh Episcopal District, Presiding Prelate Bishop Preston W. Williams, II and Presiding Elder [Senator] Clemente Pinckney.
Submitted by the Rev. Tobie Pollock
9. BLACK HISTORY ANNOUNCEMENT:
Knights Monumental AME located at 224 Red Oak Road, Stockbridge, Georgia 3028, will celebrate Black History on Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 11 am. Our guest speaker will be Commissioner Eldrin Bell, Chairman, Clayton County Board of Commissioners, Jonesboro, GA.
For further information, you may contact Monica D. McIntyre, DDS, Chairperson at 770-490-2694.
10. THE POORNESS OF YOU:
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts
How do we determine when one is poor? Webster defines 'poor" as lacking material possessions. He did not specify whether those possessions that are lacking are our need or our wants.
When we consider ourselves as being poor, we are merely comparing our lives to those around us and what they possess. When I was a young boy I did not realize that we were poor until I saw others with things we didn't have. I remember going off and standing by a big tree in our front yard and crying because we didn't have electricity in our house. We had oil lamps. It was then that I felt that we were poor.
You are not poor because you can't own a Lincoln. You are poor if you don't have any means of transportation. You are not poor because you can't afford to eat steak. You are poor if you don't have anything to eat. You are not poor because you can't wear the latest fashion; you are poor if you don't have anything to wear. You are not poor because you can't live in a split-level house with a double carport; you are poor if you have not place to live.
The word "poor" is mentioned numerous times throughout the bible. Job said "my soul grieved for the poor." Job 30:25
Jesus said; the poor will always be with us. In other words there will always be those who are lacking the "necessities" not their wants. Jesus also said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit for they shall be comforted." Jesus' statement infers that you can be poor in ways, other than the lacking of material possessions.
Jesus also said "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." Luke 12:15
I have come to surmise that there are some rich poor folk and some poor rich folk.
Zacchaeus stood and said, "behold lord the half of my goods I give to the poor, if I have taken anything from any man by false means I'll restore him fourfold' Luke 19:8
None of us desire to be poor in regard to material goods. You may possess all of the material goods you desire and yet be poor. If you are rich in material goods and have no friends, you are poor. If you possess all of the knowledge worth knowing and have no integrity you are poor. The wise man Solomon said "Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool." Proverbs 18:1
"Charge them that are rich in this world that they be not high-minded nor trust in uncertain riches." I Timothy 6:17
We can be poor in many ways, but to be poor in spirit is most devastating and debilitating.
We so often sing, "My father is rich in houses and land; he holds the whole world in his hand." I wish that all of us believe that.
- You don't have to be raggedy to live righteously
- You don't have to wear sandals to be saved.
- You don't have to wear expensive shoes to walk circumspectly
- You don't have to be a beggar to be blessed
- Being poor is not a pre-requisite for salvation.
Of all of the things in which I may be poor in; I would not want to be poor in the Spirit for it is the fruit of my living.
In what areas do you consider yourself poor?
The Rev. N.T. Pitts is a retired AME pastor who lives in Eatonville, Florida
11. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
- Congratulations to the Rev. Dr. Ralph E. Williamson on receiving his D.Min Degree from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio on December 18, 2008.
Dr. Williamson is the pastor of First AME Church in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Congratulatory messages can be emailed to: grammybb@aol.com
12. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you that Mr. John A. Collier, the brother of the Reverend Cleophis Collier (Pastor of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, Sweet Home, Arkansas), died on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 in a house fire.
Services for Mr. John A. Collier were held today:
Friday, January 30, 2009
11:00 a.m.
The Robinson Mortuary, Inc.
1201 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive
Little Rock, AR 72202
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Reverend and Cheophus Collier
1903 South Grant Street
Little Rock, AR 72204
Phone: (501) 664-0255
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing on Monday, February 2, 2009 of the Rev. John L. Boatwright, retired pastor in the Sixth Episcopal District (South Georgia Conference - Thomasville-Bainbridge District).
Funeral Service:
Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Grant Chapel AME Church
318 West Central Avenue
Moultrie, GA 31776
Phone: (229) 985-2553
The Rev. Martin Kohn, Pastor
Professional services provided by:
Luke Strong & Son Mortuary Inc.
20 1st Street, NE
Moultrie, Georgia 31768
Phone: (229) 890-1717
Fax: (229) 985-7854
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The family of the Rev. John L. Boatwright
521 4th Court, NW
Moultrie, GA 31768
Phone: (229) 985-1645
The Rev. Harvey R. Williamson, Presiding Elder
Thomasville-Bainbridge District
South Georgia Conference
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Sister Precious Pritchett on Monday, February 2, 2009; the mother of the Rev. James Pritchett, Staff Minister at Agape Temple AME Church-Dallas, Texas.
Homegoing Celebration for Sister Precious Pritchett:
Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.
Prosperity Missionary Baptist Church
6893 Saint Francis C 224
Forrest City, Arkansas 72335
Phone: (870) 633-6034
The Rev. Willie B. Sanders, Pastor
The Rev. James Pritchett, Eulogist
Sister Precious Pritchett’s final earthly care has been entrusted to:
Clay Funeral Home
116 N. Water Street
Forrest City, Arkansas 72335
Phone: (870) 633-8135
Condolences may also be sent to:
The Rev. James and Sister Veti Pritchett
508 South Cannady Drive
Cedar Hill, Texas 75104
Phone: (469) 272-0493
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Mrs. Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
E-mail: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
16. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the Editor of The Christian Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ will be with you during this time of your bereavement.
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
