I am a proud A.M.E. who serves on the Steward Board of a New Jersey Church founded by Richard Allen.

That being said, I have a question about the finances of the A.M.E. Church. As a delegate to conference last year, I was proud of the financial statements and records presented by each of the local churches via their respective Presiding Elders. Nevertheless, in all of the years of I have been A.M.E., I have yet to see an itemized report that details the budget and expenditures of the funds once they are turned over at Annual Conference. I was surprised too, that at conference there was no forum in which to ask that particular question.

Can someone direct me to such a report?

-- Anonymous, March 11, 1999

Answers

Anita,

A very timely question!  In some of my experiences, questions of this nature has been categorized as, "fighting the program."   If disbursements of these funds are sound, they will no doubt withstand the most fundamental scruntiny.

-- Anonymous, March 22, 1999

The reason you will never see an Itemized report is because there are a lot of money that never get to the supposed place...The discipline of the AME Church states that Every Episcopal district is supposed to submit an CPU account statement every General Conf. In 1996 only three of 19 districts conformed, yet nothing was done to the other 16. There are numerous things that need to be corrected in the AME church, however I am sad to say, to do so would mean alot of people would not be able to rape the church anymore... If the Head is wrong the Tail will be wrong...

-- Anonymous, May 11, 1999

I would like not only to see itemized financial reports, but also I would like see a major church government reform. The A.M.E. Church budgets are loaded with pork. Does the CHURCH do anything other than collect money.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 1999

If change is to take place in the AME church, it must come from the laity. Complaining won't do it. You must make the effort and find a way. May I suggest your Presiding Bishop.

-- Anonymous, August 20, 1999

I believe that the answer to financial accountability begins with the contributors requesting itemized statements at the local church, annual conference, episcopal district and general conference levels. The membership has become too complacent in accepting less than the best from church leadership.

WE also need an indepth objective study of the institutions of the church. Are we spending funds on objects that will never come to fruition. I think so. Many of our Bishops are building edifices that they have no plan to pay for upkeep and operation.

Help us Holy Ghost.

-- Anonymous, January 11, 2000

You can write to the office of the Treasurer in Washington, DC and request a copy of the financial report which does itemize all of the budgetary expenditures of the church. This is probably the best way to get the information. But I also believe that as a church we have to demand more from our leadership which not only includes bishops and presiding elders but also senior pastors. I am a firm believer that if the people in the church demand more that they can get and expect more from our leadership. But also the people must be willing to work in conjunction with the leadership to achieve this objective.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2000