My two year anniversary of being A.M.E. is August 10th of this year. I love being A.M.E. And I am so proud to be a pastor in the greatest denomination in the world. My life has changed radically in the two years I have been A.M.E. I am doing the type of ministry I used to dream of doing, but I was never allowed to do. I have have experienced true connectionalism for the first time in my life. Even though I have been Methodist since age 16. My daughter and I are in the same denomination for the first time in years and doing ministry together. She was presbyterian and now is A.M.E. and loves it and is a licentiate and will start seminary next year. I cry when I think of how much God loves me and the incredible friends I have met around the world because I am A.M.E. I thank God for Bishop Bryant and Dr. Cee, who took a chance on someone they did not know and brought me into the conference. I thank God for my Bishop for listening when I say God wants me to do rural ministry and I want to stay in Montana and be a circuit rider. My Bishop says yes and respects rural ministry. I never fit in before in other denominations. For God was always telling me to do new things. No one would listen I became discouraged. Now as an A.M.E. I am free to do ministry, to go to people of all races and to be led by the Holy Spirit. I refuse to let the "Children of Darkness tear down my denomination" I am A.M.E.! and I am proud to be A.M.E! and I will shout it from the roof. Is there anybody else out there proud to be A.M.E! Please check in and give a praise report.

-- Anonymous, May 14, 2003

Answers

Proud to be AME.

-- Anonymous, May 14, 2003

I can say that I am "Proud to be AME", but since I've been "AME" for over 30+ years, I guess I just take that "pride" for granted. Your enthusiasm is contagious, Rev. Rogers. God bless you and keep up the pride and enthusiasm for years to come.

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2003

Although I'm not one to quibble over semantics but I thought the question was "are you happy, not proud, to be AME"? I do think there is a difference. Considering the alternatives, I'm happy to be AME. I'll be happier when some of our members strive for their spiritual creativity and cease being cantankerous curmudgeons in the work of Kingdom Building. QED

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2003

I thank God for the AME church. I am in the process of celebrating 20 years in the zion and I have never regretted that auspicious Sunday in April when my car took me up the hill to 1900 N. Raymond Street in Pasadena, CA and two weeks later when I walked down the aisle. It's been a glorious 20 years. I agree with Bro Bill but I am grateful that God called me to Christianity and to the AME church.

Hallelujah!!!!!

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2003

Personally I believe that, before we settle in the belief of men's grasping it as "Thus Saith Lord" We should read it's rules, organizational structures and methods. The scriptures says for us to try the spirit by the Spirit and see if it's of God?

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2003

Bill, my original question was "Are you happy to be A.M.E.?" but in the last line of my original post I also asked "are you proud to be A.M.E?" so those who answered by saying they were proud to be A.M.E were responding to my post. So it was not about semantics, it was about responding to my original post.

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2003

God is so wonderful! It is was a blessing to browse into this room where one can express their opinions amongst other 'AME's. It is very uplifting to read your words about your love of the AME Church. I am one of those old saints who was raised in the church and whose six children were raised in the church. They love it as much as I. They are as proud as you. God, through our love of Jesus Christ, has met all our needs and continues to bless the family for our faithfulness in putting our trust in God and not man, year after year and, now generation after generation. I love the Lord and I love and appreciate the AME Church. Our church is also in a very rural setting and has a very small membership. However, the Holy Spirit does not pass us by. It meets us there on Sundays also. We don't feel that we are missing anything serving the Lord in a small, little church. We have been blessed with loving, intelligent, called ministers who fed us spiritually. We love members of other churches and fellowship with them also. I have been very blessed over the years. However, this morning I feel very troubled because of what I hope is not a growing problem in the AME church; individuals being called to preach and because they cannot occupy the pulpit in certain denominations they choose the AME church, get assigned and then proceed to denigrate the church's baptism teachings, the type of music used in the services, the absence of the vocal evidence of being inhabited by the Holy Spirit by older members, etc. I am truly troubled because I have advised this minister, who is so different around some Church of God members, that perhaps she should go join them and become a church mother or join the Baptist Church, try to get into the pulpit as a minister and submerge as many persons as she can. She has hurt me by her criticism of 'my church' and she has driven several young ladies home for a while. Because we are 'rural' and perhaps should be happy to have a pastor, we endure. But inside, I hurt and I keep quiet for fear of hearing again the statement 'your denomination is not going to take you anywhere'.I know this. I simply want for my kids and grandkids a minister that sounds like you; you love our church and its procedures and are willing to accept them and follow them while spreading the love of God through the acceptance of his son Jesus Christ. Please keep that attitude and always strive to do all you can to pass it on, especially to the AME youth. They are our church of tomorrow.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2003

Sister Wanda, God bless you my beautiful sister. I love you to pieces and thank you so much for your kind words. I am 51 years old and I was a united methodist minister at one time. And I was raised united methodist. So for me coming into the A.M.E. Church may be easier than for those who are coming from other denominations. I was raised methodist. I have always had the book of discipline. My daughter who is now a licentiate was Presbyterian before she became A.M.E two years ago. We are doubly blessed because Bishop Bryant and our Presiding Elder Rev. Donna Roberson, have really worked hard with my daughter, she is 26. I also have a Presiding Elder whom I stay in contact with at least three times a week. She is an amazing minister who sets me free to do ministry. My elder and Bishop truly care about rural ministry and evangelism and Bishop Bryant has made it very, very clear he wants all of his clergy trained well. Sister Wanda God has called you to be A.M.E! Stay with our church and God.

I have to share a story with you, when I was in seminary, I was asked to preach at a baptist church, I got there and many of the members were unhappy with their pastor, he had turned the church upside down, and caused a lot of hard feelings, no one was happy or smiling, I saw an older woman sitting in the first pew alone, just smiling and grinning, I went over to talk to her, she was 85 and grew up in that church. I asked her how she was so happy, she said "I know everyone is upset about the pastor, but I am not, I have been in this church 85 years, I have seen pastors come and go, some are crazy and some are not called to preach, but Jesus is the same! You see, know matter what they do, Jesus is standing right there behind them watching over us, I just look at the face of Jesus. That is why I am always smiling, because he is smiling back at me."

Sister Wanda, you have weathered many storms with Jesus, keep praying and keep seeking his face. And do stay in touch with me.I would love to hear from you.

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2003

Yes, I am happy to be A.M.E. and I am very proud to be a 5th Generation A.M.E.

I guess you could say that it is in my blood...pun intended.

PHIL419 kc

-- Anonymous, July 01, 2003

K.R. it is great to have you on the board welcome! I am curious what district are you in?

-- Anonymous, July 01, 2003

Representing The Peach State

The Sensational 6th Episcopal District

Bishop Frank C. Cummings, Presiding Prelate

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2003

Again welcome to the board, I am in the fifth district. I learn something new every day. I did not know Georgia was called the "Peach State"

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2003

Yes, Georgia is "The Peach State". Georgia Peaches--the fruit and the women are known worldwide for being the sweetest in existence. ;-)

Just a quick note: South Carolina grows and exports more peaches that we do but the Super 7th District is aka "The Palmetto State".

-- Anonymous, July 03, 2003

Yes,Georgia and South Carolina grow some wonderful peaches! Every one is touched by God's hand. But have you ever tried the peaches from Clanton County, Alabama???? Unforgettable!

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2003

Now we have a short growing season in Montana so we do not have sweet peaches, so please feel free to send me some Georgia peaches. By the way Idaho is known for it's world famous potato but the the spuds, the seedlings come from Montana and are shipped to Idaho.

And my state is known as the treasure state, for we have gold, sapphires, garnetts etc. And we have sapphire mines that you can go and dig your own sapphires, you can also pan for garnetts also.

-- Anonymous, July 04, 2003

Rev. Rogers,

LOL---are you possibly suggesting a swap of gems for peaches!!

if so, let me know! Hook A Sista Up! LOL

B Blessed PHIL419 kc

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2003

K.R. I have to tell you my favorite stone is torquoise and silver. When I lived in NYC, I could not afford it for it was hundreds of dollars. But there is a jewelry store in my town that sells native americn torquoise, I have a lot now. My watch is made of torquoise.

I might be willing to make a swap for I love peaches. Our fruit comes from california. So yes, I would be willing to make a swap.

love ya sis,

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2003