It looks like there is a new era in the AME Church. I have just been informed that Mrs. Roxie Ball has not made the Episcopal Committee out of the 13th District. Roxie Ball has been on this committee forever and finally we have a change. My question is, will Rev. Goodwin Douglas make it back as the Chairman of the Episcopal Committee. I personally feel that he will not win, because of the wrongdoing of appointments at the 2000 General Conference. We all know that Bishop Norris was supposed to be in the 15th District. We know that Bishop Chappelle was supposed to be in the Ecumenical Seat. Bishop Deveaux was supposed to be in the 12th District. This I believe was the most crooked Episcopal Committee we have had. At least in the past, the members would take the money but still do the right thing. this last time. they didn't seem to care. What are your thoughts on this?

-- Anonymous, March 16, 2004

Answers

I believe that you aren't interested in getting a charge, OR you want to lose the one you have.

Your opinion is welcome, but you need to state your opinions with some degree of tact AND fact. What "We all know" is a lot different that what you OR I personally know.

I will personally stand up and defend Bishop Bryant; He has NEVER, I repeat NEVER to my knowledge been accused of, or charged with fiscal malfeasance. You owe a number of Bishops (and ones to be) an apology.

We are waiting...........

And while we are waiting....If this committee is as crooked as you claim, why don't you follow the Discipline and bring them up on charges? If you aren't willing to do something about the problem, complaining only wastes time and energy....

-- Anonymous, March 16, 2004

Rev. Harper, I apologize if I have offended you or anyone. I did not accuse Bishop Bryant of anything. I did not mean in anyway to hurt anyone, but the truth is, that if we look back in history, how does the first man elected, go to the last district. I apologize again and I am in no way accusing the committee and if I sounded like that, again I apologize and I hope that Rev. Harper and the AME Today BBoard will accept my apology.

-- Anonymous, March 16, 2004

Congratulations Rev. Moore, you have my utmost respect, for your apology but also for your revelation about the workings of the episcopal committee. Some of us wish there was not politics, but I don't know how anyone who has seen any of the campaigns for bishop not at least acknowledge that money plays a great part in who gets what. Thank you Rev. Moore for your efforts to enlighten us.

-- Anonymous, March 16, 2004

Here's something to ponder. Does the Episcopal Committee "really" make the appointments? Depending on who you talk to the responses will vary. I have already been approached by an informed AME insider who has shared the unofficial Episcopal assignments for 2004. If this bootleg list is close to being accurate the work of the Episcopal Committee is only a fait accompli and wasted resources. QED

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2004

Rev. Moore I appreciate the intent of your questions. I believe, as many of our members do get from time to time, a frustration in seeing (what appears to be)the way the Church is working. Your apology is indeed most noble and well timed.

Prof. Dickens point, I however believe is the more interesting one in this case. I too have heard that decisions have already been made before the General Conference and that the committee only stamps it. I have no proof of this and have in fact never attended a General Conference so those who I speak with may or may not be properly informed. If the process is not being done in accordance with our laws Rev. Harper is right. There should be charges laid. Realistically is anyone going to say anything that could start an investigation? I have my doubts.

God Bless You my Brother and keep the faith

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2004

Well it brings me back to my original question. Do you think that now with a new era of people on the committee, that we will see a change? I believe that we really need to look ay the appointment of bishops like we do with the appointment of pastors. Some bishops need to go to certain districts, for that districs sake. Give me thoughts.

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2004

Dear Rev. Harper and BB members, Once again this issue of 'church law', that being the Discipline raises its ugly head. As I have stated in the past, the problem will not go away, but only manifest at a higher level. We have followed the discipline to the letter of the law, filing charges, with documented evidence, only to have it ignored by The Bishop Bryant, because he did not what to deal with the Law. Again I state; When an organization does not live it to its' own laws, or change their laws to reflect their actions, they are in fact planning their own downfall. Bishop Bryant really disapponted a great many of us in the 5th district. BEWARE. God Bless.

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2004

Rev. Moore,

Thank you....I hope that I wasn't harsh; There are a number of A.M.E. and non-A.M.E. people that view this board, so we take a dim view of accusations without proof or merit.

That being said, I pray that the information that you and the others have shared about the EC are not true....

I agree that when ANY organization refuses to abide by, uphold, or enforce their stated rules and regulations (whether it be the Church or the Government), especially when it can be proven that a violation has occurred, that organization is in dire jeopardy, and should not be surprised when anarchy ensues.

One merely has to look at Babylon, Egypt, and Italy (Rome) to see the proof.

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2004

I certainly hope that there is not as much of that stuff going on at the upper levels of our church. I've never been to a General Conference nor am I one of the "in" crowd to know what goes on in high places. If it is true, then I fear the judgement of God upon the AME Church. On the other hand, are we already being judged?

Be Blessed

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2004

Well it seems the Election of the Episcopal committee chair will set the stage for the enitre meeting -- How will this effect the election of bishops -- hmmm....................

-- Anonymous, March 18, 2004

Unfortunately, I do not think that "new people" are going to make any changes because, unfortunately, people are usually selected for these committees, based on their ability to conform and to keep the status quo going. I do not mean to be so negative, but that is why very little change occurs over the course of generations. Mini immulators are just trained to replicate, not replace. God bless.

-- Anonymous, March 18, 2004

As a side note, for those of you that haven't been to a General Conference, all I've got to say is that you will certainly be in for an interesting treat, particularly the day that the Bishops are elected. Make sure you have house shoes, comfortable clothes, a seat cushion and plenty of snacks because you are liable to see anything. Yes, the services were certainly spirit-filled, and the information sessions were enlightening. However, in 1988, 1992 and in 1996, for a moment there, there were times that I thought I was attending a Tyson/Holyfield match. After attendance, you usually will have many years of memorable conversations. Be safe and God bless.

-- Anonymous, March 18, 2004

The black box has replaced some of the drama pertaining to the election process. The election process has been cut to a matter of two maybe three hours. Gone are the days of staying up all night and well into the next day. Now when it comes to memorable general conferences, the sessions of 1972(Dallas) and 1976(Atlanta) are most memorable to me! For 2004, the set-up of the Episcopal Committee will play a major role in the outcome of the general conference...with long lastings effects!

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2004

I agree this general conference will turn heads. i think you all will be quite surprised at who is on the episcopal committee this year. The refusal to accept a bishops nomination in the 13th is only a mere hint at what is to come. It is my belief that this general conference and assignments of the episcopal committee will be what may actually save our zion. May God be with us all.

-- Anonymous, March 22, 2004

I still think that as church body we should have primaries when seeking general offices in the church including the running and election of bishops...I miss my pastor because he never preaches anymore hardly ( Most of the time we get some poly licking person who needs some type poly licking favor...ie lay org connectional president, retired bishops, acting bishops, fin officer for the lay org connectional. My question is there WORD FROM THE LORD...My brother if any of those said name person in your orginal e-mail are doing as you said, Pray for them...Because all that stuff they are doing they will have to give account to it before the Lord.. I wish to give light to something else, Why does the congregation have to suffer so much when our pastors run for bishop? Makes u go hmm.. Also are bishops called by God or Elected by the masses of AME church..What would Jesus do at the general conference..Give Ceasar what is his and give the Lord what his is..makes you hmm... This will be my first time at general conference and hope that it is a uplifting exp..and not one i will regret..If it is i am turning in my ame membership card and start my own church...

-- Anonymous, March 29, 2004

I would like to think that this is a new era for the AME Church as a body of Believers. As I read comments on this board and talk with others in groups or individually, I am refreshed to see that many of us recognize that we can not conduct business as usual. Also, i firmly believe that we should not be sending the same people to the General Conference, the Annual Conference, Lay Conventions, Missionary COnventions/Quaddrennials and such if these people are first of all too senile and old to make a difference and secondly if they have no idea of what is going on in the church. And where do we start to make this change? In our local churches. We do not elect persons to be delegates to these conferences/conventions if they are not going go to learn and than go back to their churches and give no reports of what happened and help improve on what we have. I for one am looking forward to seeing how the Connectional Church family handles the Stragetic Planning Committee report and if we are serious about the direction of our great Zion.

-- Anonymous, April 14, 2004

Well, I agree with Rev. Moore's first statement. I think that the Episcopal selection process is in some sense a farst. I infact talked about the crookedness of this committee. Excuse my bluntness, but we know that money buys a lot of things in our church, and unfortunately episcopal appointments are some of them. We have to do something drastically different if we are to grow as a church

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2004