The latest buzz is that Rev. Frank Reid, considered by many to be a first-ballot shoe-in, has dropped out of the candidacy.

How will this affect the election of Bishops?

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2004

Answers

While I can't answer the question directly, I do still hope that one of athe biggest outcomes of GenCon will be that we will not need to elect one bishop for every one retiring or being "located".

[BTW - what is the origin of the term "location" as we use it to refer to non-assignment?]

-- Anonymous, June 22, 2004

Does anyone know why Rev. Reid withdrew?

-- Anonymous, June 22, 2004

There is a good possibility that Rev. Frank M Reid, III listened to wise counsel to wait four more years. A better reason is that Reid heard the voice of The Master who may have insturcted him to run another time.

Have you ever wondered why Reid, Floyd Flake, William Watley and others would even consider seeking the office of a Bishop when their minitry and leadership flourishes at their charges?

I recall when the Rev., Dr. Clement W. Fugh sought the office of General Secretary of The AMEC. He withdrew and some of us were upset with him. Four years later he was elected.

Many years ago, an old preacher told me that the late Rev. Elmer M Martin, could have been elected to the office of Bishop but that he was not willing to sell his soul to obtain it.

The late Bishop John Hunter was elected and some felt that he would not live long. I believe he died of cardiovascular complications.

-- Anonymous, June 22, 2004

It's reassuring to know, albeit very, very late, that a clergyman considers his ministry not being defined according to whether or not he/she is elected Bishop. The more interesting question now is will F.M. Reid remain in Baltimore or look to be moved to another prestigious pulpit perhaps in the 5th? Rev. Jamal Bryant is poised to become the pastor of the largest church, AME or otherwise, in Baltimore. Reid is the "Larry Brown" of our superstar AME clergy. If you don't follow the NBA the Larry Brown reference is understandably odd. It would be great if 40+ other candidates would graciously bow out so that the final field would be only 15-20. I suppose it is safe to say that the resignation of Dr. Reid catapults Rev. James Davis of Big Bethel, Atlanta, GA as the new front- runner. QED

-- Anonymous, June 22, 2004

I have absolutely no knowledge of the various candidates for bishop except Rev. Sarah Davis and N. Jordan Mkwanzi(sp); but I have worked with statistics and statistical analysis. Would someone handicap the candidates according to the probability of election? Thanks, BE Blessed

-- Anonymous, June 22, 2004

I overheard (SMILE) that Rev. Reid is a front-runner for 1st AME Church, pending the retirement of Rev. Murray. All you members of the 5th District feel free to correct me if this is untrue. God bless.

-- Anonymous, June 22, 2004

I was present last saturday at the 2nd District meeting when Rev. Reid told Bishop Anderson, General Conference delegates (representing the 2nd District) and other ministers and lay persons that he was not going to the General Conference as a candidate for episcopal service. Hope this helps.

-- Anonymous, June 22, 2004

Handicap the.... ?!?!?!?

Rev. Paris, my dear colleague, like you, many of us do not know all 61, er, 60 candidates. It's one of the reasons that we look forward not only to GenCon itself, but also to the various meetings leading up to it, when the candidates come by to visit us, and we sometimes get the opportunity to talk with them beyond the three minutes they are presented to the meeting.

The joy of this field is its diversity. We are seeing three women candiates - an elder who is running for the third time, two pastors who are making their first episcopal appearance, one with connectional visibilty from her role in the Prayer ministry. We are seeing over a dozen candidates from Africa, many who have labored in leadership roles on their continent, often administering district affairs while the bishop is "stateside". Many of our candidates have long served the church, not only as pastors, but as educational leaders on the Board of Examiners, or as Chairs of the board. A number of candidates have earned doctorates, and some have been awarded honors for their service.

There is diversity in region as well. In addition to Africans in Africa, there are at least three currently stateside. Several are coming from the northeast, many from the south, two from the Caribbean, and a handful from the west and midwest.

Some of the candidates have traveled greatly across the connection, with assignments from coast to coast. Others have served within one district, advancing by merit and accomplishment. Some are relatively new to the ministry, barely meeting the Disciplinary requirement of 8 years as an elder, others have labored in the vineyard since 1962.

Handicap the candidates? Very difficult indeed.

Four years ago, in my first forays on this board, I urged the delegates going to the 46th GC to select candidates that were worthy of the Episcopal calling, and to defer on questions of gender, region, and seniority in favor of priorities like holiness, merit, example, and accomplishment. I would call upon our delegates to follow this counsel again.

-- Anonymous, June 22, 2004

Great point and question Rev. Harper I believe it will have a direct impact on who is elected and from where.I agree with Prof. Bill, Butch Davis is now the front runner but there does not seem to be such a groundswell for any particular candidate. The Africans are coming with their list for 4 to be elected. Others are looking to see the Seniority of the class by election. Will the Church accept a combination of candidates from just Africa or inclusive of other regions outside the U.S.? With Frank Reid out I believe all of this is now somewhat grey and unclear.

But I am barely a pundit. Let us watch and see.

-- Anonymous, June 23, 2004

This is an interesting subject. I would think that Pastor Reid would desire to become a bishop to share his blessings with an entire district and connection. The things the Lord has allowed him to accomplish in Baltimore are wonderful. Imagine what could happen if he could lead an entire district of churches to that same level of service. His leadership could be an inspiration, a spark to ignite the resurection of our zion. I am sure he has equipped his membership to continue to serve in that magnitude if he departs. A minister is not the church. He directs the movement of the church, but the church is the people.

Unfortunately I do not have my discipline handy, but location is a term used when an individual titled bishop is not currently serving as presiding prelate or chief pastor. they remain on the bishop's council and assist in the governing of the church but are not assigned to govern any particular district. they also receive half of their annual salary.

i couldn't imagine elmer martin actually being elected at the last gencon.

-- Anonymous, June 24, 2004

On page 651 of the 2000-2004 discipline, the second line item declare "Located Bishop Funds", and the amount given is full salary. However, there is no corresponding line itme for their travel. So while full service bishops received thesame amount as salary, they received one third the amount as travel. The previously retired bishops maintained their formula of half these amounts.

-- Anonymous, June 24, 2004

The questions are: Is a Located Bishop considered an Active bishop? Or is a Located Bishop considered a retired bishop. Is a Located Minister authorized to receive the minimum salary?

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2004

Reverend Paris,

I believe at the General Conference 2000 two Bishops asked to be located because they were unable to preside over a district due to personal reasons and declining health. The General Conference granted their request and left them without the charge of an Episcopal District.

As these Bishops will not be retired until the present General Conference 2004 they are fully active Bishops as any other active Bishop on the Bench, with the exception of having presided over an Episcopal District. This might even extend to their presiding over a session of the General Conference 2004 since they will not have retired till the close of it.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2004

The located bishops are not currently on the schedule of presiding over business sessions. The preliminary schedule is available at the connectional web site.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2004