What is the origin of the 5 years per congregation time limit for AME pastors? I know that this rule was in effect as early as 1925. However, when was it originally enacted?

Thank you!

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

Answers

This is the first I've ever heard of this. If this limit is still being emforced, then minister that has ever pastored my church has violated it. Or, more accurately, every bishop that has reassigned an itinerant to a sixth year has violated it.

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

This is the first I've ever heard of this. If this limit is still being enforced, then every minister that has ever pastored my church has violated it. Or, more accurately, every bishop that has reassigned an itinerant to a sixth year has violated it.

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

i've only been at the church wherei am pastoring for almost 2 years, buy i know of pastors that have pastored churches for 30+ years. bishops have term limits, but there has not been a rule that i am aware of that limit the term of pastors. i have the history of the church printed in 1896, and several older disciplines. but i have never come across a term limit for a pastor. Maybe it is an unwritten rule.

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2001

Some of my relkatives are United Methodist and that communion of faith has used a rule of thumb regarding the longevity of a pastor. In the AMEC, there is no term limit for alocal pastor. For a Presiding Elder they can be shifted from one district to another.

Realistically, it takes years,committment on the part of a pastor and cooperation with GOD for the established congregations we find to grow.

In a lot of instances, we're only maintaning. I've seen congregations delcine, die out,and then it's refrerred to the approptiate committee at The Annual Conference. the property is abandoned.

-- Anonymous, July 20, 2001