I recently formed and coached a youth co-ed basketball team for my church. We competed in a three month church league basketball tournament and reached the championship game in the playoffs. After two nail-biting playoff games, player fatigue, a superior opponent and perhaps coaching ineptitude :-), combined for our loss in the championship game. My church was the only AME church which participated in this event so quite naturally my inquiring mind thought about sports participation being made available at the conectional level. The governance model of the AMEC actually allows for an excellent format to encourage our churches to play and compete. Under my draft plan, an AME Sports Coucil could be established which would create athletic activities for young boys and girls (ages 5-18) in areas like basketball, flag football, soccer, track and field, swimming, tennis, golf and baseball. Each Episcopal District would be responsible for organizing its own Sports Council and planning activities for their respective conferences. The athletic competition would culminate with an "Olympics-style event" every four years at the General Conference. At the "AME Olympics" each Episcopal District would compete for medals (suggestions needed for different types) and of course the District with the highest number would be declared the Olympics winner. While the draft outline just described is far from complete, the basic idea is clear -the time is NOW to meet the underserved needs of our youth. Some may disagree that General Conference is not the appropriate venue for having the Olympics event. I would counter that argument by stressing the need to make our youth inclusive in Gen Con activities. Sports is something that most of our kids enjoy and this could be an effective tool to maintain their interest and recruit more youth. In addition, isn't it about time we look forward to attending Gen Con for purposes other than electing Bishops, General Officers and engaging in acrimonious deliberations over legislative proposals? QED

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2002

Answers

I like the idea. Why don't you run with it. I think it might be a great ministry tool.

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2002

I think this is a very good idea.

That's what is talking about ministry is about reaching people on every kind of way you can think off.

Go for it...

Regards

Jerome

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2002

This is definitely a great idea. you should run with the idea.

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2002

My Dear Professor QED Truely God has blessed you with a wealth of great ideas. If only our Church would run with half of them. This is another outstanding idea. District Christian Education and Y.P.D institutes would surely be different with these programs added. You have my vote.

P.S. Hope to meet you at the Tampa meeting!!

God Bless You Brother Dickens I'm glad you are and A.M.E

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2002

That is a wonderful idea. In October 2001 the First District met in Buffalo, NY. The young people from each conference competed in a basketball tournament. It was wonderful. Not only did the young people enjoy it, but the adults also.

Brother Dickens, I hope you won't let it die here. You are the man with the QED!

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2002

This is an excellent idea...just as long we do not use any judge from France! Imagine different Episcopal District working together to win certain contests....wait a minute, this already happens during the voting for offices! I guess we have an Olympic event every four years known as the "General Conference."

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2002

Out of curiosity, does anyone know if we have yet established AME churches in France? it seems like their population is more diverse these days, and might be a ripe field of harvest.

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2002