The Southern Baptist Church ended its annual national meeting on this week in Indianapolis (Same convention center and building as the upcoming AME General Conference). The Rev. Jimmy Draper, president of the SBC publishing house, reminded 8,500 church representatives Wednesday of a decline in new member baptisms in each of the past four years. He said it reflects "a denomination that's lost its focus."

Since the General Conference is two weeks away, the AME Church should take a self evalution.

What are your thoughts about the following?

Within the last 8-10 years:

Has the AME Church increased in converts and new members or decreased?

Has the AME Church utilized our resources to spread the gospel, not only in America, but in Africa, the West Indies, and 14-19 episcopal districts?

Is the AME Church truly fulling the Church's Mission Statement? "The Mission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is to minister to the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, and environmental needs of all people by spreading Christ's liberating gospel through word and deed. At every level of the Connection and in every local church, the African Methodist Episcopal Church shall engage in carrying out the spirit of the original Free African Society, out of which the A.M.E. Church evolved: that is, to seek out and save the lost, and serve the needy through a continuing program of (1) preaching the gospel, (2) feeding the hungry, (3) clothing the naked, (4) housing the homeless, (5) cheering the fallen, (6) providing jobs for the jobless, (7) administering to the needs of those in prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, asylums and mental institutions, senior citizens' homes; caring for the sick, the shut-in, the mentally and socially disturbed, and (8) encouraging thrift and economic advancement.

Is this mission statement a truthful reflection of the AME Church within the last 8-10 years from local to connectional levels.

We made enough statements about church finances (which is very important), church polities, and bishopic predictions. Love you all.

Please give your honest thoughts about the topic.

Fedrick allen Wilson

-- Anonymous, June 17, 2004

Answers

Hello, Excuse my grammer, I was in a hurry and the thought just come to mind. Fedrick Allen Wilson

-- Anonymous, June 17, 2004

Providing jobs? Economic advancement? I'm aware of Biblical commands to be wise with our money and to care for the poor, specifically widows and orphans (and even there the widows must be older and unable to care for themselves). It also tells us to deny food to those who won't work.

I'm aware of God's promises to prosper His faithful ones, which are balanced by a warning against a love of material goods. Can someone please help me with some Scripture for the jobs and economic advancement part?

-- Anonymous, June 17, 2004

RP, you need to understand that this mission statement was developed by a man, Richard Allen who purchased his freedom from his slavemaster for $2000.00. It was crafted during the time when most black folk were working for nothing and free blacks were in danger of being kidnapped and sold. In those days, blacks were 3/5s of a man. RP, you need to walk a mile in my shoes before you become so critical of others. Since we are both conservatives, I would like you to visit my church, sit under my teaching for six months.

Be Blessed

-- Anonymous, June 17, 2004

So this section of the church's mission statement came from a man- made idea rather than Scripture?

-- Anonymous, June 18, 2004

In fact, Rev. Paris, Richard Allen's owner, Stokely Sturgis was greatly indebted and old. Richard Allen not only paid Sturgis off in half the time, but also provided him with extra (equal to a year's salry) to help him out of his indebtedness. This all happened after Sturgis sold a portion of Allen's family. Allen not only provided work for African Americans in the city of Philadelphia, but whites as well. So did the prosperous and wealthy African American sail maker James Forten.

-- Anonymous, June 18, 2004

Dear Brother Your questions are most timely. I have, for the last 4 years pointed out these same points as well as more distinguished individuals like Professor Bill Dickens. The Black Church is suffering with a focus that has changed. My Answer is that the Church is not doing the job like it used to. We are doing signifcant work but really fractured into little pockets spread out so far it might appear we are doing almost nothing at all. There is much to do and we need persons committed to get it done.

Blessings to you

-- Anonymous, June 18, 2004

AGAIN and AGAIN

Within the last 8-10 years:

Has the AME Church increased in converts and new members or decreased?

Has the AME Church utilized our resources to spread the gospel through mission outreach, not only in America, but in Africa, the West Indies, and 14-19 episcopal districts?

-- Anonymous, June 18, 2004

Brother Wilson, we can only answer with respect to our specific churches, conferences or districts. With that the answer would be a resounding "yes" for Philadelphia. However, when you go to G-Con you will get the answers for the connection. There is always more to be done. At this point and time we cannot stop being about our Father's business.

-- Anonymous, June 18, 2004

RP, men wrote the Scriptures; men selected which books became part of the holy scriptures and which were left out. Every time you go to church, you sit and listen to a Man (of God) expound on the scriptures. You must believe he is a man of God else how can you sit there. It is all about faith. Read Jesus' mission statement in the book of Luke.

-- Anonymous, June 18, 2004

I am going to painfully and honestly answer these questions based on my experiences in my city and home district. As was stated earlier, members can point to individual "gems", but I will answer based on what I know about groups of churches in my district and what they have accomplished:

Has the AME Church increased in converts and new members or decreased? People come and people go. As old members leave and join other churches, in some cases they are replaced by new converts. Are "new converts" joining the AME church in my area in droves? No. Why not? The complaint is always the "money" issue.

Has the AME Church utilized our resources to spread the gospel, not only in America, but in Africa, the West Indies, and 14-19 episcopal districts? I would say that Bishops in the AME church have used AME resources to "preach" in America, Africa, the West Indies and in other non-American countries.

Is the AME Church truly fulling the Church's Mission Statement? "The Mission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is to minister to the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, and environmental needs of all people by spreading Christ's liberating gospel through word and deed. At every level of the Connection and in every local church, the African Methodist Episcopal Church shall engage in carrying out the spirit of the original Free African Society, out of which the A.M.E. Church evolved: that is, to seek out and save the lost, and serve the needy through a continuing program of (1) preaching the gospel, (2) feeding the hungry, (3) clothing the naked, (4) housing the homeless, (5) cheering the fallen, (6) providing jobs for the jobless, (7) administering to the needs of those in prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, asylums and mental institutions, senior citizens' homes; caring for the sick, the shut-in, the mentally and socially disturbed, and (8) encouraging thrift and economic advancement. I would say that the "AME Church" has done an excellent job of 1) preaching the Gospel; I believe that as a denomination, we do a fairly poor job in the other areas because most of us make the excuse that we do not have the "funds" to complete these kinds of ministries. If less focus was put on paying money, raising money and sending money in and more of an emphasis was on doing ministry and reaching out to those in need in our communities, then I believe as a church, we would be more successful in living out the original mission statement. God bless.

Is this mission statement a truthful reflection of the AME Church within the last 8-10 years from local to connectional levels.

-- Anonymous, June 19, 2004