This is a several part question concerning General Conference 04 -- Who are the front runners for the Bishop -- Have we really saved mony by combining General officers -- Do we see the general conference undoing some of the merger of offices -- I understand we have a consultant what is he consulting? -- Will the general officers running for Bishop be able to run for General office also and if they have served as a general officer for 12 years be able to retire if they happen not become a Bishop or be reelected as a general officer?

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2002

Answers

Here are my answers to your questions:

1. Front Runners for bishop - The name Rev. Carolyn Guidry, from the 5th, comes up more often than others. She will no doubt be elected. Then, there is the African delegation, who as I understand it, will have 2 persons elected from there. I do not know any of those person's names. If the church indeed will have 7 bishops to elected, that leave 5 persons from the states. Of course, Rev. Dr. Allen W. Parrott, from the 7th, will be among the number. (Listen out for come incredible news from him soon.) 2. Saved money?? - Maybe we have this quadrennium but it won't matter for the next. With the number of bishops retiring who are healthy as persons are certainly living longer, plus the fact that should the law be enacted in full, many, MANY pastors and presiding elders will be retiring because they are well over 75, our budget will no doubt go up to accommodate for these issues. I don't think the General Conference will undo the mergers, however, for that very same reason. 3. Consultant - We do have one, but what and who he consults, I am not sure. He was a General Officer but with the combination of the offices, he was left out. I understand he is running again in 04. 4. General Officers who are running for bishop do not run for general officers. Take into consideration Dr. Y. B. Bruce in Florida. He ran for bishop while being a general officer. He did not run for the general officer seat and lost the election for bishop. He is now a PE in Florida. Those General Officers who are running for Bishop and do not make will no doubt return to their home districts to pastor charges.

In my judgement, 2004 will see a brand new AME church, with almost half the bench of bishops being new, almost half the general officers being new, with as many retired bishops as we have active. Should the 75 age limit law go into full effect, even annual conferences, presiding elder districts and local churches will have new leadership. It's gonna be different and that may be a good thing!!

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2002

I am not sure who the fore-runners are for Bishop, particularly since there are so many candidates. But to be perfectly honest with you, I do not believe that the denomination is ready for a second woman bishop. Certainly, two female bishops in comparison to 16 or 17 male bishops is a very low ratio; however I do feel that any woman that run's for the Bishopric at this point has a slim chance of winning in 2004. Maybe 2008 or 2012. But not 2004. The attitude seems to be that the AME church has it's "woman" Bishop, and folks seem to have a hard time digesting that concept.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

Dear Brother Your points are indeed well timed as there were no campaigns at the Missionary meeting at Jackson Miss. The Africa issue may yield nore than the two indicated by the previous post. The question may come down to Bishops from outside the United States (including Africa). Be mindful Bishop Talbot hails from the 16th, Bishop Anderson is from Bermuda (as well as Bishop Ming). In real terms the number of Bishops from outside the United States may include 3 from Africa and maybe 1 additional from either the 16th or other domicle.This may speak to the reason that campaigns are not in high gear yet.

There appears to be strong move to have Presiding Elder Guidry elected this next term but the previous post lifts a very significant issue. The impact of so many new Bishops and so many retired Bishops will cause the budget to balloon even further. There maybe a push for younger candidates who will be able to provide longer service to the Bench. So if candidates can only serve for 2 or 3 terms before retirement this may become the next issue for the financial future of the Church.

Because of the financial dilemma now facing our Church we will need a great deal of attention to the composition of the Bench in addition to ethnic, indigineous and cultural diversities.

The experiment of consolidation of Church Offices may hold if operations cost have lowered without compromising effeciency in any significant way. That may generate signicifanct discussion based on differing opinions. While there are some that seek the elevation to Episcopal Honors I am not so sure they may reach the prize. Experience in pastoring is essential in dealing with the day to day issues in differing flocks throughout the connection.

Let us pray for the movement of God to help us through this most interesting and challenging time.

God Bless You All

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

Sister Joyce,

The remark that you made about a female bishop is the very reason way we did not elect one until 2000. Bishop Vashti should of been elected not because she happens to be a women -- she is a proven ministrial leader in our Zion -- it seems as if we do not have to "get ready" to elect poor leadership at the episcopacy or at the Connectional level -- most of them just happen to be men. As we go into the 2004 general conference I would hope that the delegates would look at the record - not if they are a man or woman.

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

Amen, brother Mark. All officers and bishops should be elected because of qualifications and not because of their monetary or good old boys rules and regulations. What really gets your dander up is the fact that the general conference prior to Bishop McKenzie's election decided to elect a woman bishop in 2000. Why can't there be another woman elected bishop without the boys getting together to decide that one will be elected? Ahhhh! Politics!!!

Candidates should be elected based on their qualifications and platform.

Rev. J

-- Anonymous, February 13, 2002

Front runners from southern Africa are Rev. Wilfredt J Messiah and Rev. Andrew B G Lewin. Rev. Messiah is from the 19th Episcopal District, and is the President of the R R Wright Theological Seminary. Rev. Andrew B G Lewin is Pastor is Bethel AME Church Cape Town, and Presiding Elder and Admisnitrative Assistant (with Bishops M Young, H B SEnatle and now gregory G M Ingram). Both are young and dynamic, and can play a pivotal role in the human resource development in Africa.

Understandbly, we are expecting maximum of two more candidates from especially West/Central Africa to announce their candidacy next week at the AJC. In my humble view, we would "push" for at least 4 candidates be elecetd from outside continetal USA, hopefully 3 candidates from the 14th, 15th, 17th, 18th & 19th Episcopal Districts and 1 candidate from the 16th Episcopal District.

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2002

Given the looming budgetary demands associated with the retirement class in 2004 would it not be prudent to reduce the Bench by electing only 4 Bishops as oppossed to 8? This naked zeal to replace all 8 retiring Bishops will only drain an already emasculated budget. Why must we create these unnecessary fiscal crises? Decisions we make today for the future will either come back to haunt or applaud us. I for one, see no evidence where eight additional Bishops are needed to carry our the work of the AMEC. Our theological mandate is to serve humanity, not icons. QED

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2002

I am currently tracking candidates at http://www.ghg.net/jlpayne/candidates.html. Please let me know of any data that would make the table more accurate.

Bill, part of the organizational issue stems from the evolution of Disciplinary law that emerged in the latter half of the 20th century, basically to counteract fiefdoms and long-serving bishops whose effectiveness was dimmed by the inescapable and inevitable ravages of time. While Bishop Hildebrand may remain vital enough to pastor in his "retired" years, this was not the rule for our church in that time. Since their election in 1972, many who are reting in 2 years were fully aware of the window of opportunity they had to bless, strengthen, and enhance this Zion.

Now I am curious as to why we are still electing 7. Given all the fiscal pressure, would not this be a good time to consolidate the Ecumencial slot? Could not one of the General Officers carry out that role to some effect?

Thank you,

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2002

Dear Bro.Bill As usual you are spot on in my opinion. The Church must now embrace the necessary financial re-allignment needed to keep this denomination open and running. The post of Ecumenical and Urban Affairs should be scrapped in 2008 (at the latest). Rigid financial programs are needed and fiscal discipline is required. Rev. Hanse I agree there should be fresh and diverse voices on the Bench. I believe Bro Jeryl has the correct approach by creating profiles of each candidate.

Sis. Joyce it is good to see you back on the post. How are things in Chicago? God Bless You All

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2002

ARE WE GOING TO DEVELOPE OUR CHURCH?

IT IS TIME FOR ORGANIZATIONAL RENEWAL FOR OUR CHURCH. BISHOP ADAM PREACHED ABOUT THIS NEED AT THE CLOSE OF THE LAST TWO GENERAL CONFERENCES. THE RESPONSE TO HIS PREACHING WAS VERY, VERY SUPPORTIVE. YET, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO DEVELOP OUR CHURCH AT THE CONNECTIONAL LEVEL.

LET'S TAKE OUR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AS EXAMPLES. OUR FOREFATHERS AND MOTHERS STARTED THESE INSTITUTIONS ON NICKELS AND DIMES. WE HAVE MANY FORMS OF DOLLARS. SOME OF OUR SCHOOLS ARE SUFFERING. THE QUESTION IS WHY.

PERHAPS MANY OF US THINK WE HAVE THE ANSWER AND THERE IS NOT A NEED FOR A STUDY OF THIS ISSUE. IF SO, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS KNOWN ANSWER?

THE POWER OF THE BISHOPS AND PASTORS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. FOR EXAMPLE, WE SHOULD CONSIDER CHANGING THE DISCIPLINE TO HAVE THE PASTOR TO APPOINT 9 STEWART BOARD MEMBERS AND THE CONGREGATION SHOULD BE ABLE TO APPOINT 10. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE BROUGHT UP AT OUR ANNUAL CONFERENCE LEVEL TO INTRODUCE SUCH A CHANGE AT A GENERAL CONFERENCE.

THERE ARE SEVERAL MINISTERS AND LAY PEOPLE WHO HAVE PHDS IN ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE (INCLUDING CULTURAL CHANGES) AMONG WHICH I AM ONE. WE ARE TOO CLOSE TO THE NEED FOR ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE CONNECTIONAL AMEC TO SERVE THE CHURCH EFFECTIVELY. HOWEVER, WE CERTAINLY CAN MEET AT THE UPCOMING GENERAL CONFERENCE OR ELSEWHERE TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE.

NOTE THAT BISHOP ADAM PRESENTED THE 2ND DISTRICT WITH AN ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STUDY WHEN THE 2ND WAS UNDER HIS SUPERVISION. THAT WAS ALMOST TWENTY YEARS AGO. STILL, A NOTICEABLE CHANGE HAS NOT BEEN MADE AT THE CONNECTIONAL LEVEL.

IF YOU ARE CONCERNED AS I, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE. LET IT BEGIN WITH US. WE MUST BE WILLING TO CITE ISSUES AND STAND BEHIND THEM AND IN FRONT OF THE POWER STRUCTURE OF THE CONNECTIONAL CHURCH.

THOSE WHO HAVE AN INTEREST IN MOVING UP IN THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE CHURCH NEED NOT RESPOND. BUT, BE READY TO DEAL WITH THOSE OF US WHO WANT OUR CHURCH TO PROGRESS AND DEVELOP. E. J. GHEE LECHE 202 333-7923

-- Anonymous, October 04, 2003