Report from the General Board Commission on Statistics and Finance Meeting and CONVO 2019
TCR Staff
From December 2-3, the General Board Commission on Statistics and Finance met to conduct its preliminary work to prepare the 2020-2024 Connectional Budget for consideration at the May 2020 General Board meeting and ultimate the General Conference. Under the leadership of Bishop Clement W. Fugh, the following special committees were organized to assist the commission in its work: Committee on Corrective Legislation (Bishop Adam J. Richardson, Jr.); Committee on Budgetary Requests (Bishop John F. White); Committee on Debt Settlement of AME Institutions of Higher Education (Bishop Vashti McKenzie); Committee on Episcopal District Budget Allocations (Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr.). After a brief meditation provided by Bishop Anne H. Byfield, the Committees adjourned to conduct their business for the full day of December 2nd. The December 3rd Plenary saw the presentation of the Committee reports as well as the first draft of the 2020-2024 Connectional Budget. The information gathered by the Special Committees will be used for subsequent drafts as well as reapportionments among the Episcopal Districts. The action item regarding forgiveness of the indebtedness for Morris Brown College and Wilberforce University was forwarded to the Executive Committee of the General Board for deliberation and action. Lastly, proposed legislation regarding the AME Future Fund will be drafted for the General Conference.
The custom of holding CONVOs began in 1987 as a part of the Bicentennial Programming led by Bishop Vinton R. Anderson to discuss the current state of the church and examine legislation in preparation for the 1988 General Conference. Over the decades, it has become a fixture in the life of the Connectional Church. This year’s CONVO was held December 4-5, 2019, with more than 400 AME clergy and lay leaders in Atlanta, Georgia. Under the leadership of Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, chair of the CONVO Committee, the attendees discussed topics drawing from the 2016 General Conference theme, “An Extraordinary History, An Incredible Future” in order to move toward strategies and concrete actions to address pressing concerns affecting the AME Church at all levels of the Connection.
The meeting opened with devotions led by the 6th Episcopal District. The meeting was presided over by Bishop Ronald Elijah Brailsford, Sr. Words of greeting were offered by Senior Bishop Adam J. Richardson, Sr. and President of the Council of Bishops Harry Lee Seawright. Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, the CONVO Chair, and host bishop. Bishop Jackson asked the question, “Do we believe we have an incredible future?”
Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, the pastor of New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland delivered the CONVO Keynote Address, “Taking Out the Trash (What it to takes to win this world)” using Isaiah 6:1-8. He challenged the AME Church to look deeply into the institution and realize that the system is designed to produce the results that it delivers. Bishop Thomas also exhorted those assembled to understand that the religious landscape has shifted and that the church cannot be “grown from the graveyard” appealing to persons who are no longer present. Lastly, he challenged the AME Church to view the church as a place where people come to find answers and to meditate on what questions we answer—and which ones we do not. In her response, Bishop Vashti McKenzie received the charge and reminded the assembly that while it is difficult to envision the church after our death, we must do so if the AME Church is to survive for the future. The assembly was also greeted by Democratic Presidential Nominee candidate Governor Deval Patrick.
The afternoon session featured break-out groups along six lines: Church and its property (Bishop Julius Harrison McAllister, the Rev. Carla Gaines, and Mrs. Alfreda Brooks); Local Church Membership, Local Organizations, Starting and Merging Congregations (Bishop John F. White, Rev. Jocelyn Hart, and Mr. Matthew Douglas); Ministry (Bishop Samuel L. Green, Rev. Ronald Braxton, and Mrs. Valerie Bell); Organization, Duties of Officers, General Board, Departments and Commissions (Bishop Clement W. Fugh, Rev. Leodis Strong, and Dr. Felicia E. Commodore); Conferences, Global Witness (Bishop David R. Daniels, Dr. Erika Crawford, and Ms. Martinique Mix); and Judicial (Bishop Jeffrey Nathaniel Leath, Rev. Michelle Goodloe, Mr. Reginald McGill). Each session had a presenter with several respondents. The sessions received a packet of bills provided by the General Secretary/CIO’s Office and discussed the bills deemed appropriate to that group. In total, approximately 30 pieces of legislation were presented from individuals, the 2nd and 5th Episcopal District Legislative Task Forces, Women in Ministry, the Connectional Lay Organization and the Council of Bishops.
On the second morning, the devotion was led by clergy from the 6th Episcopal District with the Reverend Susan H. Buckson delivering the message, “Does Your Yes Mean Yes?” from 2nd Corinthians 1:15-22. Bishop Jackson presided over the closing session by asking for the reports of the various breakout groups. Full reports are available on the AME Church website. The CONVO wrapped up with various announcements regarding upcoming events including the February Global Development Council Executive Committee Meeting and the May General Board Budget Meeting.
Please click here for the CONVO minutes.
The Christian Recorder acknowledges the assistance of the Rev. Shonda N. Gladden (4th Episcopal District) for contributing information to this article.
