My church will start on Dec. 3rd the first day of Advent and it is called St. Paul Community Church. I was just thinking of our staff and the make up of the church. One of our staff members is mexican our music director is half philipine and african-american, we will have mexican, native american, white and african-american. I am very excited about the racial makeup we will attract. For those who said they are coming are those who have not been welcomed in other churches. I strongly feel the AME church has a lot to offer all people! Are open to evangelism to all races? And what do you think the AME church will look like in the future. God loves you and so do I? Rev. Denise Rogers

-- Anonymous, November 04, 2000

Answers

The future demographic composition of AME churches will depend on whether we are talking about the short-term [5-10 years] or long-term [20 years+]. If our focus is the short-term I don't expect too much of a change from the current racial/ethnic composition on our rolls. Now long-term forecasts will probably be different due to the higher incidence of miscegenation, crossover cultutral lifestyles and changing migratory patterns of new residents. These factors will greatly contribute to a "rainbow' representation for our future members.

-- Anonymous, November 04, 2000

Rev. Rogers, you mentioned those who said they were coming are those who have not been welcomed in other Churches. Were you speaking in terms of racial differences?

Congrats on your new beginnings. I'm sure you will be blessed. Carmen

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2000

Carmen it is sad to say in the year 2000 that there are churches that will not welcome people of color. And yes the people who said they would come to my church have not felt welcomed in other predominantly white churches. Just this week I spoke to a young man in his twenties who grew up in Bozeman and then went away. He has returned with a degree in Journalism. He shared with me his horror stories of being called names in church. He is BI- Racial. And loves the lord. And is eager to be in an accepting and loving church. I too have felt the slings of racism in the churches in my town and I am clergy! Thank God the AME church has had a presence in this state for over 100 years with a church. My church will reflect all the races on the earth. There is a lot of work for the AME church to do in the west. I am in the fifth district, the Pacific Northwest Conference under the leadership of Presiding Elder Ellis Casson and Bishop John Bryant. We will welcome all who want to know Jesus! I am so excited about my conference. For the love of Christ know no color boundaries. Thank you for your good wishes. By the way we will be using a Mexican restraunt for our church meetings. The owner of the church is Mexican and a dear friend. I feel she is called to ordained ministry. Plus I will be doing campus ministry.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2000

Praise the Lord! As you welcome all of the unwanted, you will have to expand to be able to have space for them. This is an excellent opportunity for the AME Church. All things work together for good if you love the Lord and are called according to His purposes. Blessings;

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2000

Pastor Paris thank you for your kind words. The space we will be using is a small space. But it is centrally located with lots of parking. And we not have to pay rent. The owner of the restraunt was told ten years ago that she was not welcomed in this community she is Mexican. She responded by saying "I am a christian and I will always be welcomed by God." She is a dear friend and together with the love of Christ we are still here, active in the community and seen as leaders in the community. You are right we will need a bigger space at some point. But God will provide. I told my presiding elder that I hoped he did not mind, but I go to the bars on saturday night with fliers and introduce my self. I do not drink, but I have done this for years and I have gotten so many members over the years who say "Wow you don't lecture me, you just invited me to church, no one has done that." My Presiding Elder just laughed and thought it a good idea. I was one of those unwanted people and a pastor came and got me! I will never forget that. I do believe with all of my heart that the AME church will be a bridge builder between the races.

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2000

It's a pitty, but the time period on Sundays, during services it still the most segregated time in America.

Sounds like you are in a position to make radical change. That's always before revival.

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2000

It is a delight to see a charge started that once again represents the Kingdom of God. It includes all nations, kindreds, and tongues. Continue reaching into the bars and clubs. That is where you will find those truly in need of a physician. we spend more time with the church doors open expecting people to walk in but it is Evangelism that does not condemn but shows love, patience, and understanding that will reach the masses. In the next few years there will be a great amount of diversity in the AME church as we see it building even now.

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2000

This is the same model that made our freed ancestors so successful. When white Insurance companies would not insure us, we formed our own insurance companies. When they wouldn't bury our dead we created the great funeral home businesses. Now you have the opportunity to do the worl of the Lord and make a place for all the impotent folk in Montana. Praise the Lord.

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2000

Pastor Paris, I would like some clarification on the last line of your previous post you said "all the impotent people of Montana" Was that a typo? I love the people of my state and yes there are some racists people. But that is true in all of the states. The vast majority of the people I have met in the last eight years have been very loving.

-- Anonymous, November 08, 2000