The African Methodist Episcopal Church
Mid-Year Conference 2023
By Rev. Solomon J.G Nxumalo – Retired Presiding Elder (Eswatini Annual Conference)
The 2023 Mid Year Conference of the 18th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church met in Maseru, Lesotho, on 19-21 April 2023 under the Quadrennial theme “God Our Healer.” At this Mid Year Conference, the emphasis was on Year Three: “Healing Our Minds.”
Members of the 18th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church convened in their numbers in Maseru, Lesotho from Mozambique, Eswatini, Botswana, and from different parts of Lesotho. Bishop Vicentia Kgabe of the Anglican Church of Lesotho, the Rev. Dr. John Green, Director of Global Witness and Ministry, AME Church, and Taylor West, an information technology expert, attended this Mid-Year Conference. This time around, Bishop Francine A. Brookins, Esq, Prelate of the 18th Episcopal District of the AME Church, and Dr. Rev Miriam J Burnett were in attendance.
The Mid-Year Conference opening sermon was by the Rev. Bongumusa Sizwe Qwabe, Presiding Elder Hhohho District, in the Eswatini Annual Conference. The sermon scripture was from John 5:2-14. The preacher stressed Jesus’ words, “Do you want to get well? Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” Thepowerful message stressed the theme “God our Healer.”
After the roll call and a powerful and wonderful opening worship service sermon, the Bishop thanked all the members of the 18th for attending. She then outlined the proceedings of the Conference and immediately introduced and taught a key Mid-Year subject, Mandatory Sexual Abuse Training. She set off to define Sexual Misconduct as abusive conditions within the church and abuse of power by those in leadership, to name a couple. Concluding, the Bishop requested members to make the climate in the church warm, one that will make everyone happy to be in the church, that drives every member to want to go to church on Sunday.
The Bishop raised a number of issues, among which were that the clergy must be trained and that before a pastor is transferred, there must be a background check through screening; clergy misconduct was off limits noting that any form of abuse must be reported immediately in writing; members should watch the following: the mouth, the hands, the eyes, sending of pictures [especially nude], and texting. She further indicated the possibility of drafting a policy to address this subject. The Bishop further highlighted the issue of same-sex marriage, which she said was discussed in the last General Conference. There was then a question and answer session.
After lunch, components met. The Lay Organisation had a workshop in which the 18th Episcopal District President emphasised that Lay members should adhere to the Book of Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and work on the “Recruitment Strategy. Lay Organisation involves everybody in the church, be it WMS, YPD, RAYAC, Stewards, Trustees, etc.
In the evening, the Rev. B. S. Ntshangase conducted a cultural activity allowing each Conference of the 18th to display its culture. It was a highly charged evening, with each Conference relating it to a Bible verse and the Bible verse, to their culture. In thanking God for saving them from the floods, the Mozambique Conference quoted Mark 5:1-34, and the Lesotho Conference sang their King’s praises, quoting 2 Kings 2:19. COVID-19 had separated the Bishop from the members of the 18th for some time. At the end of the presentation, in her remarks, she said: “I have longed to see you and feel you.” And she said, “If you want to destroy a tree, pull it out of its roots,” and added, “Please do not let anyone or anything destroy your roots.”
What did Dr. Green, the guest to the 18th Episcopal District, do? He taught two very interesting and vital subjects: Church Administration and Management and Local Church Organisation. These two subjects are key to the life of the church. It was interesting to note in his teaching that Church Administration is tied up with people and that good leaders are good followers. He further clarified that Church Administration is a process that makes us understand that we cannot do the work by ourselves. He further advised pastors and members of the 18th that there is no lifetime position in the church; the church does not belong to anybody but to God, and therefore the position you hold is a gift that God has given you. He urged pastors to understand that good administration did not need micro-management. He asked the pastors to follow the example of Jesus, to be always available and open to all members of their churches.
Those pastors who had done the theological course at Turner Theological Seminary were then introduced to the Conference as having succeeded in their studies. The Reverend Dr. John Green welcomed them to the Turner family.
The guest speaker, Dr. John Green, was introduced to deliver a sermon for the opening worship service. It was from the book of Romans 12:2 that Dr. John Green preached. He presented a powerful message asking the Conference, “What time is it?” One could not help to understand that it was time for excellent Church Administration and Management and Proper Local Church Organisation. He asked time and again, “What time is it?
On the last day, component reports followed devotions. From the Presiding Elders’ Council Report came an invitation from Botswana to host the 18th Episcopal District Planning Meeting in December. Swaziland was tasked to design a school website to include Lesotho.
The last day, the 20 April 2023, had the Opening Devotions, the continuation of Components Reports and Projects Updates. Then there was the Closing Worship Service and Commissioning, followed by lunch-to-go. Bishop Vicentia Kgabe of the Anglican Church in Lesotho preached from the book of Romans 12:1-8 basing it on “do not conform,” followed by the Commissioning Service.
