By Rev. Joelynn T. Stokes, Esq. , 4th Episcopal District
It was the best of times and the worst of times. This quote from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens aptly explains the feeling of many in our church these days. The recent lockout of a woman in ministry because of her gender would have one believe that the African Methodist Episcopal Church is as misogynistic as our most previous president. However, as the Rev. Deborah Blanks aptly noted in her Facebook post referencing the lockout, “This is not us.” While there is much work to be done in the AME Church as a whole on the issue of gender justice, it is clear that there are leaders in our Zion who not only understand the importance of gender equity and parity but also practice gender equity and parity.
Bishop John F. White, Presiding Prelate of the Fourth Episcopal District, is an example of one who champions gender equity. The picture included may appear to be merely a nice picture of Bishop White with some women in the ministry of the Fourth District, but that is not the case. This picture reflects not just women in ministry; it reflects members of Women in Ministry who serve as Presiding Elders and Lead Pastors of connectional churches (defined as the first and second churches of an Annual Conference) in the Fourth Episcopal District. During his five-year tenure in the Fourth Episcopal District, Bishop White has intentionally promoted women in ministry to positions of leadership. However, he will quickly tell you that he did not seek to elevate women. Instead, he sought to elevate the best candidates for the positions, and they just happened to be women. Because Bishop White harbors no gender biases, implicit or explicit, he is able to practice what he preaches.
As a result, women pastor the first church in four of the five Annual Conferences (not including India) in the District. Bishop White also appointed women to pastor second churches in many of those same Annual Conferences. Two female presiding elders lead the conference that does not have a first church pastored by a woman. In addition, women serve on the Annual Conference Finance, Ministerial Efficiency Committees, and the Trustee Board. In some cases, women serve as vice-chair of these conference committees.
So while we must vigilantly advocate for those still facing discriminatory actions like those witnessed in New Jersey and in other places yet to be discussed openly, we give God praise for leaders like Bishop White and Bishop David R. Daniels, who elevated an unprecedented number of women to the presiding eldership in the 15th Episcopal District. These two Bishops along with a few others’ commitment to gender justice, equity, and parity through promotions to pulpits, appointments to committees, and elections to seats of influence and change; shines a light that reminds us there are more and more Bishops living out their commitment to gender justice and parity. These Bishops are shining lights in our Zion, for which we give God praise.
Yes, it is the best of times and the worst of times; but we hold fast to the belief that the AME Church will be true to the ministry of Jesus Christ, a ministry of justice, equity, and reconciliation.
Pictured (r to l):
Reverends: Joy Gallmon, St. Mark Milwaukee (Chicago), Cindy Carr Rudolph, Oak Grove (Michigan); Presiding Elder Elaine Gordon (Indiana); Bishop John F. White; Presiding Elder Lenore Williams (Indiana); Presiding Elder Stacy Smith (Chicago); Conitras Houston Dickens, Dupage (Chicago); Tammy Harris-Banks, St. Paul Downtown Detroit (Michigan); Joelynn T. Stokes, Esq. General Board Delegate, General Counsel 4th District.
Not Pictured:
Reverends: Adrian Johnson, Ward Chapel (Illinois); Patricia Herring, St. John Springfield (Illinois); Kenesha Blake-Newell, Grant (Canada)
