I present this question out of concern for the Presiding Prelate of the First Episcopal District. As we all know the office of Bishop is a demanding one. The stress on body and mind are challenging for anyone holding this grand office. Is there any process in place that can relive these burdens from Bishop Ming. Bishop Ming has served this Zion well and faithfully for many years but at this time his health must be his main focus. In order to protect the well being of this giant of a man is it time that the church make previsions to reduce his duties?

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

Answers

To reduce his duties is to retire him and that is what he does not want. Any servant of the church who is unable to perform his/her duties can be relieved by their request or by the authority that placed them in the position. I'm sure when Bishop Ming decides he can no longer perform his duties, he will take the appropriate action. In the meantime, we must pray for him. Blessings

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, March 16, 2001

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-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001

I don't feel Bishop Ming should be forced to retire because of and illness. He has served the AME church well. I believe he is laboring during an illness like so many others because the AME Church has not set up a system where a Bishop, Elder or pastor feels comfortable in leaving a post and not feeling that the position will be taken from underneath them.. Just like today's workplace the AME church should have some type of disability or sick leave program in place. Someone should be able to go out on a leave have a someone trained to take over their duties for a certain period of time until they can return to work.The AME church's answer to sick leave is being Located which also includes( Mis - Management of funds, Inappropriate Behavior and Age). Until we have some type of system set up we will continue to have Bishop's turn in false doctors reports to the EC, Elder's that take pre- packaged quarterly conference reports and pastors who have local deacons preach to a disappearing congregation.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001

I don't feel Bishop Ming should be forced to retire because of an illness. He has served the AME church well. I believe he is laboring during an illness like so many others because the AME Church has not set up a system where a Bishop, Elder or pastor feels comfortable in leaving a post and not feeling that the position will be taken from underneath them.. Just like today's workplace the AME church should have some type of disability or sick leave program in place. Someone should be able to go out on a leave have someone trained to take over their duties for a certain period of time until they can return to work.The AME church's answer to sick leave is being Located which also includes( Mis - Management of funds, Inappropriate Behavior and Age). Until we have some type of system set up we will continue to have Bishop's turn in false doctors reports to the EC, Elder's that take pre- packaged quarterly conference reports and pastors who have local deacons preach to a disappearing congregation.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001

Bishops (and I suppose others as well)can request to be "located" because of health reasons, as did Bishop Byrd during GenCon 2000. A "located" bishop continues to receive full pay unitl retirement, at which time this "stipend" is reduced to 50% of full salary.

The Presiding Elders can and do serve to reduce much of the strain of oversight of the bishops and I suppose the bishops can delegate other duties. However, some duties must be done by the bishop and if health prevents these duties from being done, "location" is a reasonable alternative for any bishop...of course, a located biship has no official "power", but what good is power if it puts one in the proverbial "six feet under"?

QUESTIN: Can a bishop request "location" during a term, for instance, during the Bishops Council? We do have a "spare" (aka Ecumenical Officer) who may be able to step in to serve the affected district.

-- Anonymous, October 23, 2001