I was just curious to find out your opinion on this issue. Recently, there was a district meeting held, where several candidates for Bishop and other connectional officers attended (over 16 candidates attended this recent district meeting). As a courtesy, the Bishop allowed the candidates to each take 5-10 minutes to greet the crowd and let everyone know they were running, etc. One of the things that I noticed about 85%-90% of the candidates was that they all talked about what they had done as pastors, but very few mentioned what they were going to do as Bishop. They all talked about the renovations they made to their various churches, the thousands and even millions of dollars they put into real estate, etc. Very few (if any) of the candidates talked about reform of any kind. My question is, should we expect the candidates for Bishops to do "something" once they win, other than to appoint pastors to churches. Or, are some of us being naive as to think that these people should be implementing some changes for the better? Am I totally naive, or what? God bless you all.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 2004

Answers

Dear Sister It is refreshing to see your points posted. I too have a problem with this process and the direction this can take.We should expect something from successful candidates.When we do not we have only ourselves to blame. The Blessing of the Lord Upon You

-- Anonymous, March 31, 2004

I agree with you. I think that if one desires the Office of Bishop, he/she ought to have a written and published document showing: 1) That he/she understands the issues facing our Connection, 2) How and what he/she intends to do as a bishop, and 3) What his/her credentials are that makes them the person to carry out the program.

I would also like to see the total membership of the AME Church able to vote for the candidates. Just as the Board of Directors are elected by the stockholders in a large multi-national corporation, the members of the AME Church should elect the Directors (Bishops and General Officers). There should be a process to remove those who prove thier inability to do what they promised also. Again, one man's opinion.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 2004

I believe perspective Bishops should let the Church know their vision and how they lead our Zion in the 21st Century. We need serious committed leaders for serious times.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 2004

An Opinion I value Rev. Paris

Blessings

-- Anonymous, April 01, 2004

Here here, Rev. Paris. I totally agree with everyone voting for the Bishops. The same "popular" people get to be delegates and alternates, year after year after General Conference after General Conference. I totally agree with your method.

-- Anonymous, April 01, 2004

I agree that something has to change in the appointment and voting for our Bishops. Also I feel that the Majority of Bishops appointed have done a good job during their tenure, however with prayer and supplication I feel that we must examine every issue among God's Church. Again, some officers that are appointed become too comfortable with their position. The job for these officers is much more than enlarging the edifice of a church, the job is saving that one soul. For when you have done it to the least of them then you have done it too God almighty, we as a church connectional family must realize that this is God's church and not just the Bishops, officers, stewards, pastors, or etc. It is God's Church first. In the end, the AME Church needs to reform many things but especially this. There is a blessing waiting for all of You, Spiritually Freeman.

-- Anonymous, April 01, 2004

Parson Paris -

Great idea unfortunately the problems of implementing such a reform proposal would be huge. How would you determine voting eligibility? Current membership rolls for many AME churches are terribly unreliable. Who would certify eligibility? When should the voting take place? The problem with the current electoral system is simply that delegates do not in many cases represent the interests of their local church but instead the interests of other "parties". Economists refer to the current AME voting practice as the agency problem. An agency problem exists whenever the interests of the agent (AME delegate) departs from the interests of a principal (local church). Agency typically results in less-than optimal outcomes.

If the AMEC was truly about full voting rights your idea of every member, in good and reasonable standing, being extended equal voting priviliges would be hard to resist. Your analogy about shareholders and corporate board of directors is innovative and refreshing. If the above questions and others not mentioned can be answered you may have sown the seeds of a major "revolution". QED

-- Anonymous, April 01, 2004

I agree with Bro. Dickens. However, the AME Connectional system is the answer to your questions. Here again, the stewards should legally, emphasis on legally by strength of law-perjury, certify the membership count (leaving out the pastors which will keep them politically unconnected) at every 3rd quarter, per displine. The Presiding Elders can then confirm the count during their next quarterly conference. Each district conference should ratify those counts by a motion from each church delagate, with recommendations to forward it them to the annual conferences. The annual conferences should simply recieve them. This procedure should occur, not only during an election but at every 3rd quarter of a annual conference year.

-- Anonymous, April 01, 2004

Rev Paris is to be commended for this idea, the Connection voting using the Shareholder model. To often, we dismiss ideas and suggestions because "they won't work". I have been guilty of that kind of rejection myself. However, some of the others here have added ways to secure it and have offered drafts of ways to implement it. What immediately came to mind was the Voters Guide that the League of Women Voters publish at election time around here (Boston and vicinity). The postions of candidates are presented, eother in answer to stated questions or via general postion statements. There need not be a nationwide distribution via snail mail but can be posted to the AME website. The Annual Conference can collect those churches that elect to have hard copy guides sent but they can be availabe for downloading. One of the requirements for candidates would be that they must have statement or answer the questions if they are to have their names on the ballot which will be used for the election. As mentioned the Stewards will have to do the annual census and confirm membership and addresses. The Presiding Elders can confirm and present the membership report at Annual Conference, and so on, with the Connectional Office receiving the whole package. The National Offfice can then send out and collect ballots (or outsource). Dr Fugh is currently implementing an electronic reporting system to gather data. This is not out of the realm of possibilty. Thanks, Rev Paris. I think you may have the ideas flowing. I pray that those decision makers will pick up on it. God Bless Bob McCain

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2004

Brother Bob I too agree that Rev. Paris has a great idea. But unfortunately I must also side with the distinguished Prof. Dickens. The infrastructure to make this idea work would take, at best, 2 quadrenniums to approve and 3 to implement. Our future is indeed a challenging one and this dialogue is helpful. Don't give up this is worth fighting for. Blessings from Bermuda

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2004

If you don't view the man or woman as a good pastor then how can you expect he or she to be a good bishop. yes anyone can make appointments and collect money and pay budget and even send a check to the Seminaries on behalf of the students in your district,but I choose whom I support based off of what have they done in ministry. How can you enforce going to Seminary if you have not attened a bonafide Seminary yourself?? Your are Chief Pastor over some of our mega churches but your vision is still with ten members and a budget of $75,000 that is not indicative of what I want as a bishop. If a pastro is struggling now and does not have any get up and go about him or herself then they will carry those some qualities into the Bishopric.

-- Anonymous, April 02, 2004

I agree with you, Bro. Brangman, it will take time to make this kind of change. However, every journey starts with the first step. If this suggestion gets serious discussion, it will be the first step. Change is never easy. God Bless Bob McCain

-- Anonymous, April 03, 2004

Dear Brother Bob

We are definately on the same page. As one of the authors of General Conference law I know well the steps needed for adoption and acceptance. But even after this is done as was my submission (approved at the 2000 General Conference) I am still working to have acceptance now turned into implementation. I am sure if you and the good Parson from Texas wish to proceed you will find support from many in this Church and from me. God Bless You

-- Anonymous, April 04, 2004