Rev. Denise is hoping to found an AME ministry to Native Americans in Montana. Will the "African" in our name hinder that ministry? I received email from my church web site asking if our church was limited to persons of African ancestry. I've seen printed literature and other web sites who found it necessary to put a disclaimer explaining the orgin of our name. I've noticed that the Southern Baptists (SBC) have begun to deemphasize the SBC by making those letters very small if at all on their signs since about 1990 when they began a drive for black members. Blessings Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2001

Answers

Reverend Paris, I believe the fact you raised the question indicates the possibility at least exists. But then every denominational name carries baggage of some type, good and bad, by reputation if nothing else. I think the Jimmie Swaggart/Jim Baker debacles may have tarred my denomination, the Assemblies of God for a generation. The SBC is trying to cast a wider net by soft pedaling their name, and the AG does the same very often. We'll sometimes be led to use generic names such as "(name of city) Christian Center", or "Family Worship Center". My own church sign reads "New Hope Church", then in small print says, "An Assemblies of God Church". Others will have a generic name with the denominational logo underneath. If there's a concern over your denominational name's perception in certain areas these is an options for church plants. You may also want to consider changing the names of existing churches if the neighborhood population becomes more varied. Hope this helps in our joint effort to present an adequate witness to every soul.

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2001

Rev. Paris your question is indeed a interesting question. I am new to the AME church and I thank God daily he has called me this wonderful denomination. I personally do not feel the word African hinders our witness for the lord. My church and the AME churches in Montana have a multi-cultural congregation. What attracts people to a church is a strong witness for God, feeling welcomed, good preaching and a clear vision for service to God. When I went to the Crow reservation several years ago as a United Methodist minister there was some trepidation by some of the elders because I am black. The Buffalo soldiers, (Black Soldiers) I was told had killed many of the crow indians and harmed their women and children. So to have a Black minister come to the reservation was hard. I have since made many friends on the reservation because of the history of Black people and telling how we have overcome obstacles of racism. I feel the name African is an important part of our history and future. The term "Methodists" was a derogtory name given to John Wesley the founder of Methodism. He chose to use the name as a powerful name for God. I am in the Pacific Northwest conference formerly called Puget Sound. One of the goals of my conference is to reach latino's, Native Americans, and to re-establish a church in Idaho. As we move forward into the 21st century, our name can and should strengthen us for evangelism. At one time the CME church was called the "Colored Methodist Episcopal" and they changed their name to "Christian Methodist". I do not know if that resulted in gaining more members or not, and would love to hear from some of our CME sisters and brothers on the subject. Pastor Paris, they will know us by our love, are preaching, our music, and our steadfast resolute in Christ not to be moved or killed by racism. They will know us an a denomination that is inclusive of all races. I am AME in a state that is 98 percent white, I believe God named our denomination and I am proud of the name. I will go to the reservations if God and my Bishop allow it, and I will carry the AME banner high and proudly. I believe God has called the AME church into existence to show the world that racism is a force of evil and Satan. Through the AME church the transforming power of Jesus Christ is shown through the AME church. Our church was started by four people, whom society at that time hated because of the color of their skin. And to top it off the church hated them. God showed Richard Allen and friends that he had called them for something great, that he had called the AME church into being. The story and legacy of the AME church is still unfolding for God is not finished with us yet. Instead of changing our names to make others feel more comfortable. Let's focus on the great commission. Christianity is not a religion about feeling comfortable, it is about changing the status quo, fighting for justice and redemption. And to my white sisters and brothers who ask why the name "African" I tell them the truth about our history of racism; and without exception the response has been "Oh, My God and your church will allow white people to be members after what was done!" My answer is "YES! because the AME church welcomes everyone because Christ calls us to love one another." Pastor Paris I cannot think of a more powerful evangelistic tool or witness of forgiveness as the name AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. On my tombstone, I want them to put "Here lies a woman who loved Christ with all of her heart, a soldier in AME church!"

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2001

I feel the same way you do about the AME Church. For indeed, when the CME church rejected me, the Lord sent Presiding Elder A. L. Brown to snatch me from depression to the AME Church. Now on my tombstone, I don't know about that. . . but. I was thinking about 1 Cor. 9:19 - 23 when I made this initial post. The idea is this: Our approach to the unsaved must not drive them away, otherwise they will never hear the message. I think that passage says that Paul would not allow anything to stand between the sinner and the messenger of God. Not that we are asked to compromise our faith, but to meet the lost where they are so that we can lead them to the place God wants them to be. Does that make sense? Or is this scripture applicable to this situation? Blessings Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2001

African-American churches have always welcomed all races to their churches. I challenge anyone to tell me of any incident where a person outside the negro race was denied admission to a worship service or membership in a black church. I am not a member of the AME church but I know that there is something devine about this church which began in a blacksmith shop over 200 years ago. The AME name and its history is a divine testimony of just what God can do when you have faith. I just can't believe that anyone would think that the name AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL implies that its members would exclude people who are not black.

Sincerely,

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2001

Pastor Paris your experience with your Presiding Elder reminds me Of my Presiding Elder Dr. Ellis Casson. My elder is retiring this years after 42 years of faithful service to God and the AME church. He has welcomed me, encouraged me, and understands my passion for evangelism. I have never felt so love and welcomed by any denomination as I do with the AME. I do believe God wants us to go to the unchurched and to let nothing stand in our way. The AME church has done just that, both on this continent and in Africa. I know in my state of Montana AME female evangelists were in Butte and Helena Montana in the 1880's plus AME clergy were in Colorado and Canada. Latest church growth statistics are saying that people are not choosing churches based on Denominational ties. They are choosing churches based on style of worship, feeling welcomed etc. It is interesting we are discussing this point about the unchurched, I received a phone call from a reporter today, and she wanted to know if people who did not know Christ would be saved. She felt God was calling her to evangelize more. She grew up Lutheran and said the subject was not discussed much at her church and that she had just read "Left Behind" and wished her church talked more about the rapture. I told her because I am methodist, our theology discusses the rapture, heaven, sin etc. The point I am making is that our theology is strong, and basic. Wesleyan theology is sanctification by grace Jesus saves us daily. If we focus on our theology and share that generously, then there will be no barrier between the church and the unchurched. I watched the congregation of my home church Wayman chapel, when our Presiding Elder came to preach and have quarterly meeting. He is an awesome preacher and my white sisters and brothers were sitting on the edge of their pews as our elder preached about heaven and what we had to look forward to. Bottom line, give the message of love that Jesus gave us, and they will come.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2001

Sister Denise is on the ball as usual. I was about to bring up the surveys that indicate a lack of denominational loyalty when she stole my thunder. So...what she said! If there's bread in the bakery hungry people will come. Are you baking bread, or are you standing around talking about it with cold ovens?

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2001