On September 27th Bro. Bill Dickens laid out an outstanding challenge for I Million AME'S. The response has been uplifting. Are we ready to start writing? Let us consider the elements that will bring our members comfort in moving forward.Let us brainstorm the best way to make this happen.God has blessed us with great business minds and all we need now is faith. Jesus is standing on the water. Who is ready to climb out of the boat?? Have money will give!!!

God Richest Blessings to you all!!

-- Anonymous, October 04, 2001

Answers

Bro. Brangman:

Many thanks for your support of my novel suggestion for economic empowerment of the AMEC. My friend Robert Matthews is really the catalyst and original thinker for this idea as far back as Spring 2001. My suggestion differs slightly from Bob's in that my target base is 1 million AMEs while his target is 2.5 million. In fact if Bob's recommendation was enacted it would result in $25-$40 million additional dollars. The proposals are nonetheless complimentary and not competitive! The focus is on equipping the Saints of God to do Kingdom Building with adequate resources. What is critically needed at this juncture is to create a groundswell of local support to show the Bishop's Council that we are serious about reforming our budget and redefining our fiscal priorities. The details of the "Matthews- Dickens" proposal can be ironed out by lawyers :-) I am convinced that this is the right thing to do and will dedicate my personal and professional skills to labor long and hard to see this through. QED

-- Anonymous, October 04, 2001

Dear Brother Thank you for your response. I am in total agreement with you. The next Council of Bishops meeting is in January. At present I may be making a presentation to the council on another matter. I have spoken with three Bishops who are in total agreement and will support this cause. Let us keep in touch and spread the word.

God Bless You and Thank you

-- Anonymous, October 05, 2001

Bro. Brangman,

If you give me an official AMEC address and describe the official name of the program that is to be supported, I will most certainly send a check to that address. I will send it because I have enough faith in God to support a program that will only cost me from 51 cents to a dollar a day to uplift the AMEC. I have my copy of the 2000-2004 Discipline and it lists all the official officers of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and I will only send a contribution to those addresses.

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, October 05, 2001

Why is everyone strangely silent now?

Blessings

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, October 07, 2001

Dear Rev.Paris

Very Good Question. Maybe the bombing campaign has distracted our members or the time. I will continue with this and pray for your support or understanding not for my sake but fo the master I seek to serve. May God Bless You and Keep You

All the Very Best

-- Anonymous, October 07, 2001

I also request an address, I think it is a very aggressive and productive idea, remember to be sure to indicate the accountability and reporting aspect of the idea.

-- Anonymous, October 08, 2001

Good Afternoon Everyone

I am working on the account location and reception process as we speak. A full reporting update can and will be posted daily once we have sufficient numbers to begin. To Rev. Paris and every Pastor who reads this board. Would you kindly consider asking your congregations on their view and see how the responses weigh in.I would be most grateful to hear the feedback.

I will be communicating with Rev. John soon to see if it is okay (and legal) to post the information on this board. Do not hesitate to contact me directly at my email address if you so desire.

Please note I have not received any notices from Rev. John nor would I expect to receive any as I am using my real name and would only conduct this type of effort in the open and honestly. I believe we must worship and serve God in spirit and in truth.

God Bless You is my Prayer

-- Anonymous, October 08, 2001

My question related to the silence concerning the "writing of checks." That was a veiled reference that sometimes we talk a good game about finances but when it comes to writing out the check, we become silent.

As to the "dictatorial stuff". Just the facts maam.

Blessings,

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, October 09, 2001

Good Point Rev. Paris

That has been our history with finance and with areas of economic development and faith at times. There are also success stories.Would you lift up this question to your congregation?? Many Thanks

God Bless You

-- Anonymous, October 10, 2001