Dr. Kenneth E. Jones Announces Candidacy for Bishop

Greetings My CME Friends and Colleagues:

After a great deal of thought, prayer, and consulting with family members and close friends (as well as powers that be), I am hereby announcing my candidacy for the Episcopacy in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in 2014. This is my third attempt to seek this high office, so you can be assured that I am doing it not without knowledge of how the political system works in our church.

Some of you will question why I am “throwing my hat into the race” at this stage of the process—considering we are only one year out from next year’s General Conference. Some perhaps will say it’s too late—that the Church has already made up its mind. To these things I can only say that a man or a woman can only move when they feel the stirring of the heart inside of them. Without that stirring, declaring openly a weighty decision such as this is only a “resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” Today, my words are not empty. They are strong and true.

I have no idea the decisions the church will make next year. I only know that my work, serving as editor of our historic The Christian Index speaks for itself. You have elected me four times to this coveted position—in 1998, 2002, 2006, and in 2010.  Now fifteen years into this ministry, I am the second longest serving editor in the history of the 146 years of this publication. If I am so blessed to make it to the General Conference in 2014 as editor, my tenure of service will tie that of only Bishop L.L. Reddick III, as the denomination’s longest serving editor.  Only Dr. Joseph C. Neal, Jr., Chief Financial Officer, exceeds me as a General Officer in the CME Church in tenure.  So, quite honestly, I am very proud of my record, and I am very humbled to have served the Church for so long.

I believe it is this kind of seasoned experience, knowledge of the CME Church, longevity as a pastor, and as a well-noted educator, that can serve our Church very well on the Episcopal level moving forward. Your continued support of my work as editor over the years says that you trust my judgment and leadership.

My loving wife, former Vice President of the Connectional Ministers’ Spouses, Widows and Widowers Department Mrs. Frances Washington Jones and I are both well known throughout the Connection. We have worked side-by-side and proven ourselves to be strong, loyal CMEs who are time-tested, persistent, and accomplished.  We make a formidable team. We were on the trail for Bishop in 2006 and 2010. We are coming before you again in 2014. We solicit your prayers, your support, and of course your vote. We look forward to hearing from you.

Trusting God,

Rev. Dr. Kenneth E. Jones
Editor of The Christian Index, The Daily Index and The Christian Index Online
Candidate for Bishop 2014