Finding Our True North Again
By Thabile Ngubeni, 19th Episcopal District
History books are littered with the reason for the exitance of the AME Church. Our true north is captured in our mission, vision, and objectives resultant from the bitter history of our people across the globe. This is what makes us great.
Finding our true north challenges us to constantly re-evaluate our relevance. This is essential to sustaining our Zion beyond our lifetime. It demands that we reset the compass from the deceptive “magnetic north” of incremental change to radical change. Leaders must distinguish between “magnetic” north and “true” north. The former appears right but can take one way off course in a long journey. Our leaders should be able to decipher whether we are still who we ought to be.
Pursuing our true north means developing sustainability beyond consequential gains. It is the intentional reimagining and innovation of agile organizational structures as well as systems that support the constantly evolving milieu we live in.
Realizing our true north entails transformation. Leaders can formulate, implement, and evaluate strategies that will ensure the sustainability of this great Zion through appropriate programs and processes in our quest to our true north.
A wise woman once said: “We don’t see the world as it is, we see it as we are.” This remains true to date. Invariably, any leadership comprising similar-minded people cannot provide comprehensive solutions for a wide-ranging membership such as the AME Church. This is not because they are unwilling. It is because it is imperative that our leadership, across all levels and structures of the church, be inclusive to ensure we remain on course to our true north. Inclusive leadership is representative of gender, age, qualification, place of origin, ability, and experience.
The General Conference presents a unique opportunity for members of our great Zion, across the globe, to input strategies, processes, and programs. The 51st General Conference is upon us. We would be remiss if we do not take stock of where we are relating to our true north as this will enable delegates to make decisions that will benefit the greater Zion in its pursuit of our true north.
Delegates to the 51st General Conference have the power to influence the trajectory of the church for decades and centuries to come. History made us. Now, we have an opportunity to make history and re-align the compass and set us all on our journey to finding our true north, again.
