The Connectional Women in Ministry elects the Reverend Dr. Erika D. Crawford as President for a second term

By Rev. Renita Green, Columnist

Elections were far from normal for the Connectional Women in Ministry. Accustomed to electing at the seat of the General Concference, past years found us lined up in the corridor, sometimes late past dinner, with our membership being checked for voting eligibility. Eligible voters filled the rows from the front to the back as others gathered around—some standing, some sitting—all waiting to learn who would lead us into the next quadrennial.

These pandemic days, however, have stretched our creativity as well as our resilience. Utilizing Survey Monkey technology, women across our connection received an email from their District WIM President, and by a simple click of a box, in less than five minutes, we were able to cast our vote for our leaders of the next quadrennial (well, next three years). 

Our new leadership of the AME WIM is:

• President – Rev. Dr. Erika Crawford
• First Vice President – Rev. Ammie L. Davis
• Second Vice President – Rev. Joelynn Stokes, Esq.
• General Secretary – Rev. Dr. Louise V. Jackson
• Communication Secretary – Rev. Betty Watson
• Herstoriographer – Rev. Carolyn Baskin Bell
• Director of Liturgy and Worship – Rev. Dr. Emily Pardue
• Central/Southern Africa Coordinator – Presiding Elder Beatrice Mamphethe Motokoa

Leaders to fill the vacant seats of Connectional Third Vice President, Financial Secretary, Treasurer will be selected by the Connectional Executive Board by mid-August.  Women interested in these positions should visit the AMEWIM website (www.amewim.org) between July 4 and August 4, for more information on applying. 

Women in Ministry, the official professional organization for women pursuing ministry in the AME Church, was established as a voice for advocacy and a resource for empowerment. 

For many it is unconcienable that the issue which prompted the need for Women in Ministry in 1976 is the issue that continues to be the need for Women in Ministry today—full and equal inclusion in the church—in word and deed. 

Out of 138 Bishops, 4 have been women. Less than 20% of clergy delegates to this General Conference are women. While women are swelling the Board of Examiners, women occupy fewer key leadership positions. More than 60 years after the full ordination of women as Itinerant Elders, questions like, “Which woman will we choose for Bishop?” and “Can we elect women for Bishop and General Officer positions at the same time?” still loom.

Bishop Sarah Frances Davis has passed. Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry has retired. Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie will retire at this session of the General Conference. Bishop E Anne Henning Byfield will retire in 2024 as will General Officer Rev Dr. Theresa Fry Brown. Yet, we are entertaining the question of how many women—which women—will be allowed election. 

Nevertheless, amid the struggles experienced by women who are in ministry, we continue to experience God’s grace and favor. 

Women continue to break through the stained-glass ceiling—and many men have made significant efforts to strike the glass alongside their sister colleagues. While women do not occupy a large number of major pulpits, we occupy a major number of pulpits. Today, there is the largest number in our history of women serving as Presiding Elders across the connection and the largest number of women serving in leadership across the globe. A woman, the Rev Dr. Elaine Flake is leading the largest congregation in our connection and a woman, The Rev Dr. E Anne Henning Byfield, is leading as President of the Council of Bishops! 

We are all grateful for those who understand that being for the equity and equality of women does not make one against men—we are co-laborers in the Kingdom!

Women in Ministry provides a major opportunity to unify the voices of the (reported) 5000 women who are in ministry. Over the next three years, we hope for and will advocate for greater exposure for and of the many talented women who are serving in many capacities across our connection. 

“We are not seeking special privileges or recognition, only that which is good and just. We believe that women should benefit from justice. If it’s good and just for the church, it will be good and just for women because women are a part of the church”—Reverend Dr. Erika D Crawford

Women in Ministry is open for all members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church who believe in and are willing to pursue justice for women who are in ministry.