We are a diverse church. Our members are no longer African but predominantly African-American. One question that I encounter frequently is: "Do I have to be of African extraction to become amember?" Some of my white members tell me that the focus on African in our name causes them to explain the name to their friends. Below is the solution that Texas A&M University used when their name became obsolete:

"Texas A&M, the state’s first public institution of higher education, was opened on Oct. 4, 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. The school owes its origin to the Morrill Act of 1862, which established the nation’s land-grant college system.

In 1963, the name of the institution was changed to Texas A&M University to more accurately reflect its expanding role as a leader in teaching, research, and public service for the state, nation and world. The initials "A" and "M" are a link to the university’s past; they no longer represent any specific words as the school’s curriculum has grown to include not only agriculture and engineering, but architecture, business, education, geosciences, liberal arts, medicine, science, and veterinary medicine."

What would you think if The Africam Methodist Episcopal Church became the AME Church where AME is a link to OUR past?

Blessings

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, April 20, 2001

Answers

Ethnic diversity is nothing new to the African Methodist Episcopal Church. It was true in Allen's day and became a debated issue during the time of Bishop Daniel Alexander Payne, who then ruled that only those persons (Black or White) who owned slaves would be declined membership. Bishop Payne received a white member at Mother Bethel. Bishop Allen also sought to combine the AMEC and AMEZ, but the AMEZ then declined the offer.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church has only been actively involved on the Continent of Africa for a little over a hundred years when Bishop Henry McNeal Turner sent a delegation from the Atlanta Georgia Conference to establish it there. Bishop Young, a Son and former pastor of the Atlanta-North Georgia Conference, celebrated the Centennial of that event while presiding in Africa. The Church did not derive its name from Africa but from persons of African decent who were born and lived in America and therefore know as "Africans."

The Fourth Episcopal District, which embraces the Province of Ontario, has for several decades had both members and clergy of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Does the Church of England cease to be Anglican when it is located and has members in America, Ethiopia, or Saint Kitts? I think not. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Perhaps it is broken. If so it needs fixing. I'm not suggesting that we deny our heritage. This needs to take place for the same reasons the confederate flag should not fly over our state capitols any more; so that all ethnic groups can be included. I realize that no one is knocking down the door and demanding that they be let in or that we "fix" the African in "AME". But that is the indicator because NO ONE is knocking at the door. Check the demographics in your church. In a healthy growing church, about 60% ought to be between the ages of 25 to 45 years. Then 20% under 25 and about 20% over 45.

Blessings Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001

A.M.E. Should not be a problem. Africa is not a Country, but a Continent. I am sure it is already pluralistic in population

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001

Hi, Pastor Paris, we have discussed this question before on the board. The NAACP has not changed it's name and it is still a viable stong organization. I think in the year 2001

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001

Hi, Pastor Paris, we have discussed this question before on the board. The NAACP has not changed it's name and it is still a viable stong organization. I think in the year 2001 people are looking more towards spirituality, a sense of connectedness with God. People still want good preaching and a church that acknowledges their presence. I think if we keep the focus on Jesus and the Great commission then everything else will fall into place. Pastor Paris are you hearing more discussion about changing the name of the denomination? Preach it and they will come!

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001

My Sister: It is interesting that youmention the NAACP because they need to do the same thing. The primary source of support for the NAACP has not been from black folk but from whites. They lost that support through mismanagement and outright theft. The current causes supported by the NAACP will not regain that support for them. The NAACP need to be concerned about the advancement of all people rather than colored people. As a matter of fact they are not concerned about the people of color around the world. For that reason, I refuse to become a life member. During the recent riot in Ohio, they did nothing to get our young people off the streets. Instead, the NAACP kept the violence going by thier references to the problems. They should have said, "Stop the riot and then we can talk." Now, there are more than 50 people charged with felonies all except one black. That simply adds to the black prison population and when released they will not be able to get a decent job, not because they are black, but because they have a felony conviction on thier records. Every black leader in the nation should have been saying, "Go home, we will fight your fight in the courts. Don't tear up your home. Don't get a felony on your record. Go home!

Blessings

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001

Pastor Paris since I am here in Montana I am really cut off in terms of what the NAACP is doing. But believe it our not there is a NAACP chapter in our state. They tend to have their meetings near the canadian border and I am in the southern part of the state. So it is hard for me to attend the meetings. So maybe we should talk about the NAACP. What have been the experiences of others in terms of involvement with the NAACP.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2001

Dear Robert Matthews,

Thank you for your response to " What if We Changed our Name". I found your stance on this issue to be most enlightening and educational for me as new member of the AME church. I see no reason at all for this fine institution to change its name. I could write a dissertation on what this institution means to African-Americans and how it has improved America. However, I won't do that on this internet site. In the state of Virginia , I have observed that there are many churches with an ethnic identity. As far as I know, the AME church has always welcomed people of all races to membership. That's not been the behavior of other congregations in this country. In Virginia, I have observed that we have many ethnic christian churches. In Alexandria we have the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. In Tidewater, there is the Greek Orthodox Church. There are Korean Presbyterians and Korean Baptists. There are Eastern Menonites in West Virginia. Then there are Southern Baptists. As a matter of fact, I used to attend a Southern Baptist church when I lived in Georgia. I learned a great deal about the bible from doing so. Our name is a testimony of what people with a little faith in God can do. I hope that any member of another race can look at our name and think likewise.

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2001

The Roman Catholic Church is not Roman anymore and they have not changed their name. The African Methodist Episcopal church is not African it is the church of God named after the descendants of Africa.Whenever you tell the story of the formation of the African Methodist Episcopal church to other ethnic groups, people stand in awe of the history and how we have survived, and are attracted to that. Once they get in the church setting they find that the African is not being uplifted in our pulpits on Sundaymornings, but the God of all gods is the attraction to church and not the name.

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2001

Hotep (Peace)

Pastor Paris, the reason some of your white members complain about explaining themselves to others is because "Afrikan" is identified as "black". They may deny it, but it is true. Otherwise, what is the problem? I have NEVER know white people to complain about being Roman. Our society paints an illusion of Afrika as being ignorant, uncivilized, and barbaric groups of people. I know different. Our people are very intelligent with a rich history. Have you EVER known a Jew to forget about their Jewish heritage? Why must we forget our rich history, abandoning our name?

"Do I have to be of African extraction to become a member” All human kind originated in Afrika. The oldest is 4.5 million years old. Therefore, technically they are from Afrika origins. In Love and Light, Brenda

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2001

I just wanted to add an Amen to Sis. Brenda's post.

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2001