Is there a possiblility that those of you "who are co concerned" about the fairness to Africa, are willing to set up a meeting at the seat of the General Conference to see what difference you can make to the decisions about who's going to be Bishops in 2004?

Power to the people and not the hierarchy!!

Love Clive

-- Anonymous, June 24, 2004

Answers

Rev. Pillay, who would we contact about setting up this meeting? Who would we call? Should we make arrangements to meet with you? Can you please provide us with some direction. From what I can see, there is going to be much discussion at the General Conference regarding fairness to the continent of Africa.

-- Anonymous, June 24, 2004

It's probably too late to do anything about the election of bishops in 2004. This issue should have been debated and settled int the Jurisdictional discussions. Sadly, if African Bishops are elected in 2004 as something less than full bishops, it will take a major change/effort to get the precedence of 2004. Those elected in 2004 should seriously consider if they will accept anything less than the full privileges of a bishop. Otherwise they may permanantly set the status of African Bishops.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2004

Let's pray it's not too late. Perhaps with African Bishops, we could get some of the growth that I spole of in a new thread.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2004

Hmmm-we have at least six bishops to replace and 7 if you include an ecumenical officer. In our own Affirmative Action plan we may elect as many as three from Africa. We know that all the newly elected bishops will serve overseas districts. And that only three are slated for election in 2008 so the African bishops will serve at least eight years on the continent. After that it would be up to the episcopal committee. I hope those who are elected will be elected under the binding assumption that they will spend their careers in Africa.

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2004

Bro. Harold How can we enrich our heritage and the culture of our history if we do unto the Africans that which Afican(Black) Americans continue to fight against in America. Binding Africans to Africa is both discriminatory and arrogant. We need to be coming together as a Church and Denomination not finding new ways to sew the seeds of division.Your suggestion is a slap in the face to all loyal members of this Church who do not live in the Continental United States of America. Are only Americans good enough to be elected Bishops of our Church? Should we who have worked under this banner for decades see our efforts as no value because we are not in the U.S? The Bermuda Annual Conference has been around for over 115 years and has contributed millions of dollars to furtherence of God's Kingdom through this Church.Neither Bishops Anderson nor Ming were elected from Bermuda.What is our value in your opinion my brother. Help me brother maybe I am not understanding your direction.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2004

Bro. Gibson said:

"I hope those who are elected will be elected under the binding assumption that they will spend their careers in Africa."

This reminds me of "Separate but equal". MLK is rolling in his grave. If this happens, we might as well fold our tents and go home. Africa is lost to the AME Church. Why are 1 Million Methodists in Africa joining the United Methodist Church?

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2004