2023 General Board Meeting
By Rev. Justin Nick, TCR Assistant News Editor
The General Board was called to order by Bishop Paul J. M. Kawimbe, President of the General Board, at the sumptuous Sheraton, New Orleans, on June 20, 2022. Bishop Kawimbe then presented Bishop Stafford J.N. Wicker, President of the Council of Bishops, for devotions led by 8th Episcopal District. Rev. Jivonte Watkins of St. Matthews AME, Shreveport, LA, preached and dynamic message entitled “The Prophets Call” using Jeremiah 1:1-10. Bishop Kawimbe called on Dr. Jeffrey B. Cooper, General Secretary/CIO of the AME Church, to call the roll.
After the roll call, Bishop Kawimbe presented Bishop Richardson, Senior Bishop, who addressed the board with “deliberately brief comments” about “the heavy breath of the agenda to address the issues of the AME Church, including the issue of retirement. Bishop Wicker welcomed the conference. Bishop David R. Daniels, Jr., in stand for Bishop James L Davis, acknowledged dignitaries and attendees of the church. Afterward, Bishop Kawimbe called for the approval of the agenda. Dr. J Edgar Boyd, 5th Episcopal District, motioned that the Department of Retirement Services report be moved to the top of the agenda. The motion carried and the agenda was approved. The minutes from June 2022 were approved. Then the Department of Retirements Services and the Legal Team offered a status report on the retirement services. After this report, the Board was dismissed to their commission meeting.
That evening, the church gathered again for the Council of Bishops Investiture for Bishop Stafford J.N. Wicker as the President of the Council of Bishops. The room, decked with green, purple, and gold, was filled with the rhythmic sounds of the First Line Band and Zulu Dancers. The 8th District showed all out in sight, sound, hospitality, and delicious cajun cuisine.
Bishop Kawimbe called the second plenary session to order on June 21, 2023. Bishop Jeffrey N Leath led devotion with the Chaplains of the AME Church rendering the service. G. Diane Lewis, Chief of Chaplain Services, proclaimed a message entitled “The Time is Now” using Jeremiah 1:9-10. Chaplain Lewis encouraged the board that “no one knew they were going to change the world…we have been called for such a time as this.”
After the devotion, Bishop Kabimbe called for the Commission reports.
Department of Retirement Services: Bishop Marvin C. Zander II., Co-Chair. Bishop John F. White, Co-Chairt. Darwin Eldridge, Budget Committee Chair, gave the report. The premiums received from life insurance participants were less than those paid, resulting in a $200,000 deficit in the department’s budget. The recommendations were to increase premiums to $165 for single members and $200 for married members. The premium increase was tabled, but the current policy will be paid to prevent a lapse in coverage. Next, Rev. Jarret Washington, 11th District, recommended the Investment Sub-Committee encourage salaried servants to register and review their beneficiaries. The Audit Committee will return with a roll purged of non-paying participants. Additionally, the committee successfully entered all of the transactions from the old accounting system into QuickBooks to produce usable financial statements for the audit. Within the year, they expect to have a completed department audit. The Legislation Committee presented Lisa Carrasco, the attorney representing the church. Ms. Carrasco submitted a corrective letter that would update many of the outdated statutes of the current retirement plan. The corrective letter had to be filed before the legislative committee could proceed. The Operations Committee will continue to update the department’s operations to help salaried servants. Within the year, all participants will have an updated statement balance of their accounts.
Commission on Statistics and Finance: Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr., Chair. Presiding Elder Tyronda Burgess, Reporter. No recommendations.
Next, Bishop Kawimbe called Bishop Daniels to chair the commissions.
Ministry and Recruitment: Bishop Ronnie E. Brailsford, Sr., Chair. Recommendation: invite the lay to attend the three webinars during Clergy Appreciation Month, October 2023.
Following the Commission on Ministry and Recruitment’s report, Dr. John Thomas, III., Editor of The Christian Recorder, and Dr. J. Edgar Boyd, 5th Episcopal District, asked to be recognized. Dr. Boyd commended the board for moving in the direction of culture instead of the direction of cancer regarding the Department of Retirement Services. Dr. Thomas offered the motion, as ready by Dr. Cooper, that the General Board instruct the president to begin the formal judicial process against Dr. Jerome V. Harris, former director of DRS, by filing charges listed in the 2021 Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The motion carried.
Global Development: Bishop Sylvester Beaman, Chair. Mrs. Ladonna Liggins, Reporter. Recommendations: Resubmit bills from 2021 to 2024 General Conference, submit redistrict plan, and subsidize Monrovia College for $10,000.00.
Health: Bishop Francine Brookins, Chair. Ms. Rhalanda Jackson Reporter. Recommendation: fill vacant commissioner positions, provide more grants, and follow CDC/WHO guidelines.
Publications: Bishop Daniels, Chair. Rev. Dr. Willie Barnes, Reporter. Recommendations: increase publishing to the AME Review, establish Church Schools in churches, and establish designated reporters in each episcopal district.
Chaplains: Bishop Leath, Chair. Rev. Netekia Walker, Reporter. Recommendations: will be discussed at the next scheduled Commission on Chaplains Meeting.
Women in Ministry: Bishop Frederick A. Wright, Sr., Chair. Rev. Dr. A. Qismat Alim, Reporter. Recommendations: assign male board members to WIM and advocate for parity in the election of 2024 General Conference delegates.
Christian Education: Bishop Frank M. Reid III., Chair. Ms. Chantal Alford, Reporter. Recommendations: encourage sign up for the Daily Spiritual Vitamins, gifted writers join the writer guild, subscribe to the department’s social media, and purchase the 2023 Advent/Christmas Devotional.
Seminaries, Universities, Colleges, & Schools: Bishop Marvin Zanders II., Chair. Ms. Angela Pettis, Reporter. Recommendations: meet by Zoom to share ideas and success stories and assist Rev. Moobii and RR Wright Theological Seminary in getting books for their library.
Church Growth & Development: Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Chair. Rev. Joelynn Stokes, Esq., Reporter. Recommendations: adopt the Church Growth & Development Initiative, announce a desire to reclaim AMEs, and commit to inviting one person to church.
Global Witness & Ministry: Bishop Michael L. Mitchell, Chair. Ms. Shante’l Sims, Reporter. Recommendations: pray for the department and the director, commit to becoming a mission partner with financial gifts, and become a global witness for missions.
After the Commission reports, the General Board adjourned. The next regular session of the General Board will be in June 2024 for consideration of the 2024-2028
