IT IS VERY HARD BEING A PREACHER LET ALONE A PREACHER IN THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. DUE TO THE FACT THAT IF SOMETHING COMES ALONG THAT DOES NOT FIT INTO OUR TINY PERCEPTIONS THEN WE START TO CAST THINGS OUT. THAT IS UNTIL THEY SEE YOU ARE A SUCCESS. ANY WAY I DIDN'T MEAN TO CHASE THAT RABBIT. HOWEVER, THE CHURCH HAS A STIPULATION ON ON CLERGY IN THE ORDAINATION PROCESS. WITH SCHOOL AND ON TOP OF THAT ATTEND INSTITUTE. NOT TO MENTION TO WORK AND PROVIDE FOR YOUR FAMILY BECAUSE THE CHURCH ISN'T GIVING YOU ANY HELP. WE REQUEST ALOT OF THINGS THEN WE PAT OURSELVES ON THE BACK FOR HAVING A HARD CURICULUM. IF THESE THINGS ARE A REQUIREMENT I THINK THERE SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF RESOURCES OUT THERE. AND WE CAN DO THAT I BELIEVE WITH A CENTRALIZED BUDGET. LIKE THE UNITED METHODIST HAVE. WE HAVE ONE OF THE RICHEST HISTORY AND THE POOREST FUTURE BECAUSE WE PREACHERS,GENERAL OFFICERS, BISHOPS ARE ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT THEM SELVES. I SAY ONLY 20% OF THE ENTIRE CHURCH ARE BIG CHURCHES. THE MAJORITY ARE SMALL CHURCHES. SO A PASTOR AFTER GOING TO SCHOOL GETTING INTO DEBT. GETS A SMALL CHURCH THAT CAN BARELY AFFORD GAS MONEY LET ALONE INSURANCE AND A SALARY. SO WORKING IS NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION. WHILE WE SEND MONEY TO THE CHURCH WHICH OUR OFFICALS GET PAID OUT OF WHO ARE ALREADY MILLIONAIRES BUT THE PREACHERS AND LAY PERSONS ARE GETING POORER AND POORER. I WISH SOME WAY AT GENERAL CONFERENCE WE CAN STOP ALL THE B.S. WITH THESE ELECTIONS AND REALLY CONSIDERED WHERE THE CHURCH IS GOING.HOW CAN WE GET THERE. OR ELSE YOU ARE GOING TO FIND THAT SMALL C.M.E. CHURCH FILLING UP WITH ALL THE TALENT THIS CHURCH HAD AND IGNORED. BLESS YOU AND CONSIDERED THESE THINGS AND RESPOND INTELLEGENTLY

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2004

Answers

Does you keyboard not have lower case letters? It's easier to read when lower case letters are used and using all capital letters is tantamount to SHOUTING, for which there is no need.

Are you willing to name some of the "millionaires" to which you referred?

The 3rd District, does, in fact, assist its seminarians in their schooling costs.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2004

Thank you LW Clark. I stopped reading the post because the caps hurt my eyes. Lower case would be so much easier to decipher. Thanks.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2004

Sometimes folks who are new to BB communication do not know proper etiquette so they will type in caps. I'm sure the poster will adapt to the preferred mode of communicating with more opportunities. It's annoying but I think if you get beyond the stylistic issue of the post and read his message the concerns he/she raises (e.g., budget reform, educational support for clergy, small churches) are quite legitimate. QED

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2004

The short answer is that the church simply does not have the money. I'm not sure but I think we are operating with deficit spending right now. The requirements for education of our pastors is necessary. I think that the church is not responsible for providing funds to educate its pastors. In industry, engineers for example provide for the entry level education themselves. Why must the church provide entry level education?

Be Blessed

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2004

Welcome to the club, "HolyGhostHeadquarters". Unfortunately, you are telling the truth. And, also, unfortunately, once our clergy find out that after spending $50,000 for the average M.Div. degree, they ARE filling up CME, United Methodist, Apostolic, United Methodist and UCC pulpits. I would suggest that if you are concerned with "compensated ministry", you either should find another branch of ministry that will PAY you commensurate with your experience (i.e. Prison/Hospital Chaplaincy; Social work) and education or start your own church, preferrably having it admitted to a denomination that has a minimum, salary package, such as the UMC or UCC. TOo many AME bishops say that they want an "educated clergy" but then when it comes to a centralized budget or a minimum salary for clergy, then they say "I never said that going into the ministry would make you rich". A minimum $25,000 - $30,000 salary will not make anyone rich. It is a problem.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2004

Alton Paris, the Master of Divinity requirement is not "entry-level" education.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2004

I don't have the answer. If we closed all the churches in Texas that could not pay a living wage, we would be left with perhaps 30 or 40 churches. Then when these had to assume the Connectional Claims of the closed churches, they would no longer be able to pay the living wage. Therefore we would have to consolidate Episcopal Districts and reduce budgets, etc. The only concieveable answer is to downsize and no one is willing to even consider that. I suggested that we elect no bishops for the next two general conferences consolidate under the current bench along with the consolidation of small congregations and reduction in expenses from top to bottom. The general officers would have to be reduced also.

Of course, we could reduce the education requirements to the Bachelor Degree level and accept bi-vocational ministers with salaries being paid according to the individual congregations ability to pay. This would be necessitiate more security in pastoral assignments, for when a pastor had built up a ministry where its ability to pay exceeded the PE or the Bishops salary, what would keep the PE and/or Bishop from reassigning that pastor and giving the charge to womeone else? As I said, I don't have the answer.

-- Anonymous, January 20, 2004

Thank you for sharing your concern and frustration. The church is at a watershed moment in history and has the opportunity to listen the needed reforms in every area of the Church. I believe God is raising up prophets like form old who are willing to be proactive and hold the Church and its leadership accountable. The most important thing is that you prepare your self for serious ministry. These are serious times and the world needs committed servants of God to address the complex issues of our times. There are many who share your pain and frustration. Stay the course and keep the faith. God will provide.

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2004

About the MDiv being "entry-level":

If you want a church in the 5th District this Conference Year, the OPENING BID is an M.Div.

If you do a job search for pastors (yes they have them), you will see that an OVERWHELMING majority of them require a seminary (M.Div/MAR) degree. Since these same churches are not paying the commensurate amount of money for your degree (with the exception of UMC), the job is by definition "entry-level".

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2004

In the fifth district Bishop Bryant has made it clear that the M.Div is of paramount importance to him. And that he was one of the ones that fought for the requirement of an M.Div degree.

I want to explain to those who do not know what an M.Div degree is, it stands for Master of Divinity it is a 3 year graduate level degree. In order to obtain a M.Div degree one has to have a Bachelors degree. It is a rigorous degree. Classes that are normally taught at seminary are; Old Testament, New Testament, Theology, Pastoral Care, Ethics, Homeletics (Preaching) Church History, Worship and Sacraments, Church administration. Depending upon the seminary one attends electives may vary. Classes in Old Testament will include various books of the old testament as will the new testament classes. Theology classes will include the study of the Trinity, theological scholars such as Barth, James Cone etc. Preaching will teach you how to preach incorporating the study of the text into the sermon.

In addition there is field education, where students are assigned to a church where they work with a mentor, they also have the opportunity to preach, make pastoral visits, learn the running of a church. Students usually do their field education at a church in their denomination.

When I was in seminary 15 years ago we were required to take computer classes and T.V and radio production. In addition to speech classes.

If anyone is thinking of seminary I would suggest you contact a seminary and talk to the director of admissions and ask about the courses and financial aid. And do not be afraid to apply to Ivy Leagues Schools Princeton, Harvard, Yale seminaries. These schools have large endowments, and often their less expensive and have more scholarships.

Going to seminary is not punishment. It is hard work. No doubt about it for you are attending graduate school. But it is well work it.

My daughter is now applying to seminary for the fall of 2004 and I am so proud, she looked at lots of seminary websites on the internet and those that were of interest she requested catalogs, she then also thought about where she wanted to spend three years. And that is very important! At the Annual Pacific Northwest Conference, Bishop Bryant inquired of all licentiates and those who did not have an M.Div. if they were planning on going to seminary, he then asked which ones they were interested. My daughter asked the Bishop for his recommendation, she has been in dialog with the Bishop and our Presiding Elder regarding her top choice and has been given tremendous support! It is important that your P.E and Bishop know about your seminary plans, for most seminaries will need a recommendation from one of them.

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2004

As an undergraduate majoring in economics I have always been curious about religion and philosophy so I took it upon myself to become acquainted with the "great thinkers". I read, with understanding, the works of Kierkegaard, Kant, Nietzche, Marx, Rudolph Bultmann, Paul Tillich, Karl Barth, Harvey Cox, Bonhoeffer, Cone and Albert Cleage to name a few. I have attended churches and listened to sermons where some 'MDivs' clearly knew less about theology than I. Only a handful are even published in respected professional journals or popular media outlets. Credentials are important but in no way should be used as a barrier to entry provided the applicant has demonstrated compensating competence in other areas. My childhood pastor Dr. G. B. Rogers of Isle of Patmos Baptist Church (pastored for nearly 50 years) in Washington, DC was fond of saying he was only ordaining ministers who have demonstrated they have obtained a 'BA', i.e. born-again. I'm curious about one area which Rev. Rogers does not cite in her discussion about preparatory courses for the MDiv. Is mastery of a foreign language (e.g. Hebrew, Arabic or Greek) no longer a requirement for a MDiv? It would seem to me that it is extremely difficutt to do crebile exegesis without a basic working knowledge of the above so-called 'dead' languages. QED

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2004

I JUST WANNA KNOW is obviously frustrated by posting these concerns in large caps. I JUST WANNA KNOW has made some valid points with this post. The fact of the matter is that the black church as an institution is financially weak. Most of its members don't tithe. One has to be very close to God to give 10% of ones income before taxes to the church. For those who don't tithe, God still loves you and will not send you to hell for not tithing. However, you will miss out on some of his spiritual and physical blessings as a result of not tithing. In lieu of the reality, I propose the following, the should send out monthly church bills to each member. It would be similar to receiving a utility bill or telephone bill. Explain to the members that if they value the role of the church in their lives over the years and in the present, that their financial contribution will be needed for it continued existence.

I JUST WANNA KNOW is right to expect a connectional church to provide scholarships and guaranteed salaries for its pastors. It is the least that a connectional church can do to spread the gospel. Can you imagine going to 4 years of college and coming out in 40 to 50 thousand worth of debt today? That's right 4 years of college is expensive!!!. Then work one or two years and go go to seminary for 3 more years. At the end of seven years of a minister's education, he or she is probably so indebted that they can't get a loan to buy a house. Yet we in the black church want Holy Spirit led and seminary trained ministers but are unwilling to support them. No wonder only 10% of black ministers have seminary degrees.

I happen to live in one of the rural counties surrounding Richmond, VA. I have visited 3 AMEZ churches and I have noticed that all 3 pastors have fulltime jobs in addition to being pastors of the church. It is evident from the poor attendance that the membership couldn't provide enough income to maintain a standard of living. I would advise anyone thinking about becoming a minister to make sure you have another profession to sustain yourself economically so that you can be a pastor of a church.

Finally, this is one of the main reasons that our many social ills as a people are not being addressed. If we want highly qualified leadership, we have to pay. It takes time for highly qualified ministers to attend conferences, meetings, workshops, and other information clearing houses to plan for success. Therefore, we in the black church must provide the support for them that will give them the political independence to do so.

Jazzman

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2004

As a person that is about to graduate from ITC with an MDIV then I would have to say that seminary is vital to the future of our church. Yes, it is very expensive and very hard. As a person who relocated from the 5th District to Atlanta with a family the transition has not been easy. However, what I have learned verses what I knew before, I will be a better pastor and preacher. I think that we have lost sight of why we are in ministry, it is not about the pay. I do wish like everyone else to take care of my family and I live by faith that God will provide. I also understand that Bishop Bryant is taking care of those who make the sacrifice to get the MDiv. which is what I believe good leadership should do.

To answer those who think the MDiv. is an entry level degree, then you are wrong. The MDiv is a Masters degree and should allow for someone to recieve a charge that will pay the bills. Myself I plan to take full advantage of this education, which my district has helped me with, and I will be seeking a Phd. This will only open more doors, which will allow me to continue the ministry that God has for me.

God Bless.

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2004

Bill, I did not cite all the classes one can take in seminary. When I was a attending seminary I was United Methodist. The United Methodist did not require greek or hebrew be taken. Their rationale being in order to utilize these languages one has to be using them daily in exegetical work for hours and that most commentaries were in english.

On the other hand the Presbyterians and the Lutherans required taking hebrew and greek. My colleagues who are p;resbyterian and lutheran do not use the languages because they are just to busy doing ministry.

I know for myself I try to discipline myself to spend hours on historical research going over the commentaties in order to present an intelligent inspiring sermon each Sunday.

In regards to languages, I believe strongly that pastors and everyone for that matter should learn other languages. In my field of Patristics and Egyptology, I have to know latin, I can read french, and I also have to get german under my belt for most scholarly research is in German.

One last note. Language requirements are determined by the denomination not the seminary. So if the A.M.E. Church decides to add greek and hebrew then students would be required to take it.

Jazzman, where did you get the figure that only 10 percent of A.M.E. clergy have seminary degrees? I never knew that before.

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2004

Indeed we should pay our pastors and pay them well. Unfortunately the present General Budget of the A.M.E. Church has no real allowance for it. The entire General Budget of the AME Church is less then $12,000, 000 a year. The reality of this ought to shock most of us. It ought to be at least ten times this amount and we have the capability of making it so.

I wrote and submitted legislation to this effect, but somewhere in committee the powers that be, thought it not worthy and deleted it. As far as I have been able to determine no comparable bill has been submitted to take the place of it at the General Conference 2004. So, alas, four years from now, in 2008, we still be collecting $12,000,000 a year, with perhaps a minimal increase of 10 or 12 percent. As a result this it is most likely that four years from now we will find it difficult indeed to support our pastors, ministries, churches, colleges and schools. It is my hope and prayer that one day we will see the error of this and give liberally and freely as God has blessed us to give and adopt a Budget worthy of the A.M.E. Church.

It might also come as a surprise to many that the Levitical Law of Tithing is nowhere mandated in the New Testament. Tithing is strictly an Old Testament Tax of the Jews for the support of the Temple and Levitical Priesthood.

Like circumcision, animal sacrifices, Feast Days and Saturday Sabbaths, this Law was fulfilled with the coming of Christ. The Priesthood of All Believers is New Testament, not merely the Levitical Priesthood found in the Old Testament.

Tithing in the Old Testament referred to crops and good. Our churches are not storehouses for crops and goods. The Old Testament Law commanded that if the crops and good were sold and converted to cash, then the thither must add an extra 20 percent to it (Leviticus 27:31). So following this plan when money is given instead of crops and goods, ten percent would be in violation of the Law, because the conversion to money would render it to be not 10 but 12 percent. Levitical Tithing would also require us to pay a percentage on all capital gains--our Christmas gifts, the increase in the value of our property and homes and insurances we cash in when a family member has died, only to mention a few. So if we fail to do so we have again broken the Law. The legalism of the Law never ends. Thus, Paul advises us to be not encumbered with the yoke of it (Galatians 5:1).

New Testament writings have no mention of tithing except as it refers to Abraham, who once gave freely of what he had gained and only once in his entire 175 years and Jacob who also gave by his own accord. The only other New Testament references pertain to Levitical Law. All total there are eight New Testament references to it. Tithing teaches that it is proper and right to give to God, but it is minimal and legalistic in its approach.

The New Testament teaches that all we have belongs to God—100 percent of it. Neither is it mandatory or compulsory in New Testament writings and thought. Paul said, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity” Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give”. There is no percentage mandate or compulsion to it.

Modern Economist have proven that it might be possible for an entire congregation to tithe and still be unable to meet their financial needs, because despite popular belief and teaching there is no return promised from it, and it is minimal and legalistic giving at best. But, as always Jesus has a new and better plan. Two of these I have listed below.

The first is Jesus observation of the Temple givers, which we refer to as the “Widow’s Mite”. Jesus said the widow gave more to the Temple Treasury than all the rest. He said, out of their abundance they gave what was required of them. But out of her little she gave all that she had.

The second is found in Luke 6:38 and unlike tithing, Jesus states we will receive a definite return guarantee with it. The return will be abundant, as Jesus has said it would be, if the follow the plan for giving which he has given to us. It is so simple that we miss it by legalizing it. In Jesus' own words this is what it says:

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2004

Superb analysis by Bob Matthews. Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!!! It is short of a high-crime that Robert's legislation, which I unconditionally support, will not be presented for delegates to vote. I have expressed my protest about this exclusion both publicly and privately. Most of us who know how the AMEC really "works" understand our fiscal predicament. Our Connectional Budget is woefully inadequate to meet the 8 point goals cited in our Mission Statement much less take care of our pastors and churches. We can differ about secular politics, war and other matters of public musings but one thing we must come to grips with is the need for a sound and augmented Connectional Budget. Our own Nalton Brangaman and I attended a meeting with Bishop Cousins about this exact point and Cousins re-emphasized the urgency for the AMEC getting her financial house in order, TODAY! If we as AMEs don't address our fiscal plight I'm afraid we will wind up being socially, morally and theologically irrelevant. This is not hyperbole but my best assessment of where we are and where we are going. Oh, that modern economist who commented about how 100% tithing will NOT address all of our Connectional needs is .............:-) QED

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2004

I am reading many responses that are misguided. Every student in Seminary full time at an accredited Seminary receives a stipend from the Connection. My six semesters in Seminary and I receive my check once a semester the same time of the year. So the church is investing in its Seminarians. As rev. rogers stated you have to stayin touch with your Bishop and P.E. though. At the last Convo in Birmingham I presented the Bishops with a UM model slary supplemant proposal. I feel it was realistic and the "younger" bishops are liking my info but you have to be onthe "main agenda' to get much of anything accomplished. So I can honestly say that money I will not worry about or church when I graduate. I have done what was asked of me to do in Seminary and now I will be rewarded because of my faithfulness and diligence. So so i feel I may have favor with my leaders in this church, MAYBE but Favor is not fair and I stay visible and do what is asked of me. SO I have little remorse for those who complain and make excuses and are not meeting the requirements set by the church.

-- Anonymous, January 22, 2004

Hello Rev. Rogers,

In response to your question. I stated that 10% of Black ministers have seminary degrees. I got that figure from reading Ebony magazine. I did not say that 10% of AME ministers have seminary degrees. More than likely 80 to 90% of AME ministers have seminary degrees and 99% of them have undergraduate degrees because of the high standards that Bishop Daniel Payne established back in the early days of the AME church.

Jazzman

-- Anonymous, January 22, 2004

I am glad that there are so many of you from the 5th district that can proudly proclaim that your Bishop, Bishop Bryant is supporting your M.Div. efforts. It would be soooo nice if there was some consistency across the board as far as support is concerned. That is really one of the things that sickens me about our branch of Zion--- there is little to no consistency across the board. Too bad most of us are not in the position to move to the West Coast. God bless.

-- Anonymous, January 22, 2004

I had NEVER heard of full-time seminaries in the AME church receiving a bi-annual/semester stipend while they are enrolled in seminary. I and about 50 others of us who are enrolled full-time would love to know who to write or call to receive a stipend from the connection as a full-time seminary student, because none of us from our district received it. Where does it say that in the discipline? Whom do we write to receive this stipend?

-- Anonymous, January 22, 2004

To Olivia Brewster, there is not doubt about it we are blessed in the fifth district to have Bishop Bryant, and in the Pacific Northwest conference we are blessed to have a wonderful presiding elder. I too am applying to seminary for my doctorate. My daughter and I have been looking for scholarships and contacting seminaries to see what financial aid is available.

That means calling schools, emailing them, sending self addressed letters of inquiry and being in prayer. Begin with prayer, do the foot work and end in prayer. Why would God call his children to serve him and not pour out his abundance upon them and their ministry. Too often we forget to start with God, and ask his help.

The other reality is that the majority of us that went to seminary, worked, pastored churches, went full time and raised a family. I know I did. The only family I have is my daughter. So many times my daughter had to spend hours with me in the library, I cannot say it enough GOD WILL MAKE A WAY.

If you truly want to go to seminary please email me and let's see what we can do together. I would be more than happy to mentor someone through the process of going to seminary. And if you are considering seminary you need to let your Presiding Elder know your plans for most seminaries will require a reference from your P.E. to attest that you are in good standing.

And do not suppose that someone is getting more in one district than another. When I said our Bishop is supportive, he is and he knows seminaries and what curriculum they are offering, that is valuable information for ame students to have.

One other thing, my daughter informed me today that two of the seminaries she is applying to requires that you know a language upon entry and you will be tested. She has spanish under her belt,

I hope we can use this forum to help one another across the connection. And don't be afraid to ask questions, and as I have said, I will be more than happy to mentor someone who is thinking of going to seminary. One of your strongest allies will be the admissions director, call and speak to them and ask questions. Do not assume you can't go to seminary because you are not getting money from your district. Keep praying, and pray some more. I do want to help.

P.S. The original poster of this query gave a false email address.

-- Anonymous, January 22, 2004

Why are we beating up on the church? Nobody is commanding anybody to go to seminary. It is a requirement for ordination as an itinerant Elder. Everyone is concerned about the expense but seminary can be affordable, yes it is a sacrifice but any higher educational pursuit requires sacrifice.

If anything seminary will allow you to pursue other ministerial opportunities in addition to the pastorate. Quit complaining and just do it!

-- Anonymous, January 23, 2004

Harold, no one is beating up the church. Why do people think that when people express their reality, then they are beating up the church. Why do people assume that when someone is not receiving assistance or "accolades" that have not asked for it. And as far as the issue of people attending seminary, regardless of the assistance of their PE/Bishop, that is the MAJORITY of us. I am in my second year of a three year program. And, yes, my PE and my bishop are very much aware of my attendance in seminary. And, NO, I have not received any assistance. And, yes, I have been active, seen and involved, both in the local church, conference and district. No one is beating up the church. People are just expressing their frustration with the financial condition of the church, which is a reality, as well as the discrepancies that exist among districts. Why do we have so many meetings together across districts? To socialize? We should spend more time trying to develop some consistencies across the board. If things were consistent then folks wouldn't be so inclined to complain. And Brother Gibson: complaints eventually lead to change. God bless you.

-- Anonymous, January 23, 2004

I agree that there are many problems in the church but the issue of who should pay for one's seminary training is in my opinion not an issue for the church. When you go into the seminary as an AME you should know that there are problems that arise because we have 19 fiefdoms better known as districts and no central governance just a bunch of general officers who do whatever they want to do without answering to anybody over that 4 year period. [By the way great job Rev. Spain, as you close your tenure, the Review is coming out with dates that are close to the date they are delivered.]

So y'all go ahead and beat up on the church, heaven knows I have but when you beat it up beat it up for how it fails to address global concerns and not whether or not you are getting YOUR tuition paid.

-- Anonymous, January 23, 2004

Brother Gibson, you may view these comments as "beating up the church". However, these are just the realities of some seminarians/budding preachers in the AME Church. If your reality has been positive and financially supported by the powers-that-be, then God's blessings to you. However, have a little bit of compassion for those who haven't been so fortunately. "I just wanna know" (though the email address is false) has raised a legitimate point. Telling people to "just get a job" does not solve the problem of the AME church's need for a centralized budget and minimum pastor's salary standards that are supported by the connectional church. As an African American denomination, we are just as intelligent and capable of saving and properly investing portions of our budget in such a way that there will be a centralized budget and guaranteed salaries for our pastors. Unfortunately, there are members of our powers-that-be that do not want to see that happen. However, if enough of us keep raising the issues, maybe change will come.

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2004

Sis Jackson: I agree with you 100%. My point is this until we establish a centralized organization, the denomination is in no position to enforce these policies. Our pension system as I understand it is difficult to manuever, and many of the bishops have different interpretations of the discipline. Revenue sharing is non existent, I just wanna know raises a valid point, but the point is that we have deeper problems than paying that tuition or even promising that the recipient of the degree will receive a suitable charge.

I am understanding and compassionate about the plight of our seminarians. I am also concerned about all those preachers we have in the system who have traveled from charge to charge and have nothing to fall back on or nothing to retire on and we are about to implement mandatory retirement. Sometimes I wonder who is running this ship.

-- Anonymous, January 24, 2004

If the AME leadership would address the issue of fiscal reform as proposed first by Robert Matthews and supplemented with my $100 million dollar program, a lot of these problems can be effectively managed. The AME Connectional Budget is woefully indequate to fulfill our 8 point Mission Statement. Our problem is a problem of misplaced priorities. QED

-- Anonymous, January 26, 2004