Racism gave birth to the African Methodist Epsicopal Church. The founders found their worship being stifled because of their color so they established a church in which they could worship fully. But even when doing so, it was not with bitterness or racism on their part. The creed, and I paraphrase here, said it all God our Father, Man our Brother, Christ our Redeemer. Even in the face of racism, the founders of the A.M.E. Church were optimistic that some day worship would be colorless.

This thought came to my mind when I read the touching testimony in the Guestbook section of this site. The author came from another race and another religious tradition but said she never felt as comfortable in her worship as she does in the A.M.E. Church.

Her note hit home. The church I pastor is one of the oldest A.M.E, Churches in the country. It also is one of the most racially diverse. On Sundays, it looks like a meeting of the United Nations. And as a congregation, this rainbow grouping of people get along like sisters and brothers and all this under the banner of A.M.E. Church.

A visitor to my church recently noted the mutli-hued congregation and succinctly declared, "this is how churches should be."

Considering the fact it was because we were pushed around and discriminated against that caused the founding of the A.M.E. Church, we have a lot to be proud of in light of our openness, warmth and love for all people two centuries later. We can take this thread to the discussion area since I believe the changing face and nature of the A.M.E. Church will be instrumental in how it survives in the new millenium.

What do you think?

Rev. JOhn

-- Anonymous, February 24, 1999

Answers

Blessings. My response to the bouquet of saints in the AME structure is Amen!!! We know that God does not look upon the outer man, however, he looks upon the heart. We stepped out of the demonic area of oppression to form our own place of worship; now, it is time to continue to put Satan under our feet through unity which is scriptural. In the kingdom of God we have much, much, much, more than in the world. So we must stir up our gifts and bless the Lord through our unity in the body. . . religion has been a sure way to restrict and hinder the saints. . .. .Oh how good it is for brethren to dwell in unity!! Psalm 133. . I agree, it is time to walk in forgiveness and shame the devil. . .in Jesus' Name. Amen.

-- Anonymous, June 17, 1999

Correction to the e-mail address. I apologize for any inconvenience. The correct address is dbrown@wdc.fsa.usda.gov. Thank you.

-- Anonymous, June 17, 1999

I think that the AME church as all churches are becoming diverse ethnically. This the way it should be. As I observe other fellowships such as inter-denominational and even my home Southern Baptist, I see that this needs to happen. Our people are still oppressed within this society and the only true place we have to express our true freedom is within our churches. Others can see this liberation also and they borrow from it and use it (soometimes even against our church). In my class at Jackson Theological Seminary in North Little Rock, AR, I have learned that belief systems can and do change over time. As AME ministers and pastors, we must not go against that principal and learn to walk in it. There is something out there that can benefit our church and there is definitely something beneficial from our church to others. The whole is what we seek to achieve and to become the Body of Christ without negating our heritage. It is something that we should seek to do and be successful at it.

-- Anonymous, November 07, 1999

Being only 14 years old, I first found it hard to believe in something that I could not see. However, being the one of only 6 students in my school that are of color, I decided to go to a place where I could feel comfortable. Not only did I feel comfortable in the AME Church, but I did find God, and have never been the same since. The face and complexion in the AME Church is changing. People, of all races, are starting to realize that the AME Church is not just a place to find security and comfortability, but a place where you can truly find and establish a stable relationship with God. We know how it feels to be discriminated (and it hurts) so being experianced Christians, we wish not to discriminate others. And that makes all the difference. I am a full and proud member of Whitman Chapel AME in south-eastern Ohio. (and open for any responses :)

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001

Hello Ashley; Welcome to AME Today and to the Family of AME God-fearing, Bible believing and people-loving folks!! Stay focused on your faith, family and academic goals and all blessings will be richly yours!! I guess I'm no longer the youngest member of this bulletin board :-)

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001

Great question and welcome Ashley!! I live in Bozeman, Montana. My state is predominatly white. 98% white. Of 900,000 people only 2,000 are african-americans. My new church is white, african-american, mexican and we are recruiting native americans to come. One of the things I am most proud of about the AME church in Montana is our inclusivity. And since our state has so much white supremacist activity and militia activity. It is more important than ever for the AME church to be here. It is hard to stereotype black people when the leaders in the community are black and ame, in the pacific northwest we are also teachers, for so many of the young people have never seen a black person. And they want to know about our culture. I go to small rural towns to work with teenagers and they are so excited to discuss race relations they do not understand how someone can be hated because of one's color. I do believe God is calling the ame church in new and wonderous ways to be the leader and set the example for what God's family should look like.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 2001