Category: Features

In the wake of political turmoil and growing injustices, Black Christians from all over the country gathered in Chicago during Black History Month to take part in the Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference. Founded in 2003 by the Reverend Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr., Dr. Iva Carruthers, Reverend Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III, this annual sacred gathering was held to equip clergy, laypersons, and seminarians to address the injustices of our times through community organizing, collaboration, and ministry development.

A couple months ago, on March 9th, 14 AMEs met on the campus of Epworth by the Sea in St. Simons Island, Georgia, to participate in the induction ceremony of Order of the F.L.A.M.E. (Faithful Leaders As Mission Evangelists), “a covenant community dedicated to equipping, nurturing, and encouraging young clergy and their spouses in evangelism and mission.” Four of them served in an official capacity with World Methodist Evangelism, while the remaining 10 were inductees. Over the course of their 5-day stay, they attended early morning communion services, each Methodist denomination facilitating a service; morning and afternoon teaching sessions; and communal events to establish connections, forge relationships, and deepen our understanding of the work we do as Methodists.

Every year at Annual Conference in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, pastors sit quietly as the Episcopal Address reminds us that appointments are God-driven. It is a sacred phrase, one that carries weight in our tradition. It reminds us that ministry is not merely administrative placement but a divine assignment. In theory, each pastor is sent by God through the bishop to serve where their gifts are needed most. Yet for many pastors serving in small or rural AME congregations, that statement can feel complicated.

At work, a friend shared her weekend plans: catching up on sleep after a long week, going to the park, and having a nice night out with friends and drinks. Then she asked about mine — church meetings, a local WMS meeting, a Zoom call, Sunday worship, an afternoon service at another church, and schoolwork. She stopped me mid-sentence and said, “Whoa… that’s another full-time job.” Immediately, I found myself singing: “Working nine to five, what a way to make a livin’…” Like many women, I channeled Dolly Parton and her anthem “9 to 5,” about the frustrations of working women who give so much, yet often feel unseen. But as I sang, I began to reflect.

The Third Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church made history during its recent Bishop Richard Allen Founder’s Day Celebration, marking a groundbreaking moment in the life of the District and the broader AME Church. At the visionary request of Bishop Stafford J.N. Wicker, a lay person was invited to serve as the keynote speaker for a district-wide event—an unprecedented step that signals a renewed appreciation for the voice and leadership of the laity.