Funeral Services Scheduled for Rev. A. Victor Brown. The following is information on the funeral arrangements for Rev. A. Victor Brown, the son of Bishop Edward Lynn Brown. Rev. A. Victor Brown will lie in state at the St. Phillips CME Church, 1205 Lane Street, Hamilton, OH 45805 on Friday, April 6, 2007, from noon until 5 PM. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2007 at noon, (Wake and Visitation 9:30 AM - 11:45 AM) at the Metropolitan CME Church, 2815 Melrose Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45206. A funeral service and burial will be held on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 12 noon at the Salem CME Church, 2607 Ashport Road in Jackson, TN 38301. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the AJ Brown and KJ Brown Scholarship Fund, c/o 2nd Episcopal District, 7030 Reading Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45237. Funeral arrangements are entrustred to Thompson, Hall & Jordan (Cincinnati, OH) Ph. 513-742-3600. In Jackson, Tennessee, arrangements are with the Bledsoe Funeral Home, 256 Middleton Avenue, Jackson, TN 38301; (731)-427-1521. Bishop Edward Lynn Brown and Mrs. Gladys Brown, as well as Rev. A. Victor Brown's sons, A.J. and K.J., need your prayers. Peace and Blessings during this Holy week. Submitted by Atty. Juanita Bryant, Executive Secretary of the CME Church.

Loss of Rev. Victor Brown. We regret to inform you of the sudden loss Monday morning, April 2, 2007, of Rev. Victor Brown, son of Bishop Edward Lynn Brown, presiding prelate of the 2nd Episcopal District, and Mrs. Gladys Stevens Brown. No additional information concerning Rev. Brown's passing is known at this time. Rev. Brown leaves a wife and two young sons. Let us be in prayer for the Brown family.

Bishop Charles Lee Helton Service at Noon, Wednesday, April 4, 2007. The 49th bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Bishop Charles Lee Helton, passed away on Thursday afternoon, March 29, 2007, in Charlotte, NC. Formerly the presiding prelate of the 7th Episcopal District, Bishop Helton and his wife Willie Ann Helton, gave tremendous leadership to one of the largest Episcopal Districts of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, comprising the New York-Washington Region and the Carolina Region. Bishop Helton also served four years as the presiding prelate of the 10th Episcopal District, including churches in Africa and the Caribbeans. Bishop Helton retired from active ministry during the 2006 General Conference of the CME Church in Memphis, TN.

Funeral services will be held at noon Wednesday, April 4, 2007, at the Parkwood Institutional CME Church, 802 Tom Hunter Road, Charlotte, NC 28213-1021. Rev. Roderick D. Lewis is pastor.

COGIC Leader Patterson's Funeral Service Set. The International Homegoing Service for Bishop Gilbert E. Patterson, leader of the Church of God In Christ, will be Saturday, March 31, 2007, at 10 AM. The service will be able to be viewed by webcast for those unable to attend in Memphis, TN. The webcast of the International Homegoing Service, powered by VM Direct/Helloworld, will begin at 10:00 a.m Central Daylight Time. The webcast can be viewed at http://www.cogiclive.org/. Also, there are churches in most states that will have viewing available. If you plan to view from your desktop or laptop, you might want to go to the site prior to the beginning of the service to check your system for any additional downloads that may be needed in order for your computer to run properly.

Submitted by Pene' Long-Woods, Jackson, MS

6th District Enjoys One in the Spirit Banquet at Spring Convocation.

Meeting in its annual Spring Convocation, the 6th Episcopal District held its “One in the Spirit” Banquet Friday, March 23, 2007, at the Columbus Iron Works & Convention Center, Columbus, GA. It was a gala affair, hosted by the presiding prelate of the 6th Episcopal District, Bishop Othal Hawthorne Lakey. The banquet is held in support of 6th Episcopal District Expansion. The theme for the banquet was, “From Good to Great—In Faith and Faithfulness.” The speaker for this year’s One in the Spirit Banquet was Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick, III, presiding prelate of the 5th Episcopal District, who spoke from the subject, “Expansion Begins in the Mind.” Accompanying Bishop Reddick at the affair was Mrs. Wendy Jones Reddick, and adorning the dais along with the 6th District prelate, Bishop Lakey, was Dr. Elfreda Lakey, 6th District director of Music.
The Master of Ceremonies and Mistress of Ceremonies were Rev. Frederick L. Braddock, Sr., pastor of West Mitchell CME Church, Atlanta, GA; and Dr. Kim Ezekiel. But there were several other program participants, including Mrs. Catherine Swint, director of Social Concerns for the Macon-Barnesville District; Rev. William Banks, pastor of Clifford Temple CME, Thomasville, GA; Rev. Allen Page III, pastor of Holsey Chapel CME, Columbus, GA; Rev. Albert Lee III, presiding Elder, Elberton-Gainesville District; Rev. Cleavon Mabon, Mrs. Shonda Barnes, assistant secretary, West Georgia Region; Rev. Thurmond D. Brown, presiding elder, South Columbus-Cordele District; Mr. Leo Pinkett, General Secretary, Department of Ministry to Men; Mrs. Cheryl Averett Johnson, chair, Program Committee; and Rev. Lovett Thornton, Pastor, Carter Monumental CME, Columbus, GA. Guests attending the banquet included Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield, General Secretary of Christian Education; Atty. Ouida Brown, General Counsel for the CME Church; Presiding Elder and Mrs. Leo Douglas, Phenix City/Opelika/ Montgomery District (Alabama); and Dr. Kenneth Elvis Jones, Editor of The Christian Index.

Update on Arrangements for Rev. William E. Stone. Rev. William E. Stone, 66, pastor of Carter Metropolitan CME Church of Dallas and former presiding elder, traded earth for glory on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at his residence surrounded by his family.

The Arrangements are:
Friday, March 23, 2007 7-8PM
Memorial Wake at Carter Metropolitan CME, Fort Worth

Saturday, March 24, 2007 12 Noon
Celebration of Life Services at Carter Metropolitan CME
4601 Wichita Street, Fort Worth, Texas
Host Pastor: Rev. Jerome Price
Eulogist: Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart

Sunday, March 25, 2007 4PM
Shiloh CME Church, Fulton, MS
Burial in Shiloh Cemetary

Please keep his wife, Hattie Durden Stone and Children (Shantilata, William II, Phillip and John) in your prayers.

Submitted by Pene' Long-Woods, Jackson, MS

Arrangements for the late Dr. Mance Jackson. Condolences for the loss of Dr. Mance Jackson can be sent to his wife, Mrs. Joy A. Jackson at 1007 South Candler Road, Decatur, Georgia 30030-4465.

Funeral Services have been set for Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 11:00a.m. at West Mitchell C.M.E. Church, 560 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, SW, Atlanta, GA. His body has been entrusted to the Grissom-Eastlake Funeral Home, 227 E. Lake Drive, S.E., Atlanta, GA 30317. Phone: 404-373-3191.

Atlanta CMEs Host Pan-Methodist Bishops' Consultation. Atlanta, GA (March 11, 2007)—For certain, this particular Sunday was one evening when God was not a respector of race, gender, or denominational persuasion as leaders representating all of Methodism in the United States assembled at the West Mitchell CME Church for "A Methodist Gathering: A Service of Renewal and Commitment." This Celebration of Holy Communion served as the beginning of the Consultation of Methodist Bishops, the Commission of Pan-Methodist Cooperation and Union. The service was an exercise in liturgical splendor with as many as 30 or more bishops in attendance from the various brands of Methodism, including the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the African Union Methodist Protestant Church, the Union American Methodist Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church, and hosts the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Additionally, Methodists and others from throughout the Atlanta area filled the spacious West Mitchell sanctuary to drink in all the bishops had to offer in observance of the auspicious occasion.
Calling the congregation to worship was the Senior Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Bishop William H. Graves, 1st Episocpal District. Others playing important roles in the service were Bishop George W.C. Walker, Sr., AMEZC; scripture by Bishop G. Linsey Davis, United Methodist Church; prayer by Bishop Philip R. Cousin AMEC; Mrs. Harriet McCable, introduction of the Pan-Methodist Commission; and Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Moments of Remembrance. Greetings were brought by the pastor of West Mitchell CME, Rev. Frederick L. Braddock, Sr. and the invitation and commitment was led by Bishop Gregory Palmer. Music was rendered by the Voices of the Sixth, comprising members of the 6th Episcopal District. The offering was designated for the Pan-Methodist Campaign on Children and Poverty. It was reported that over $2,500 was raised in the offering.
Senior Bishop Graves introduced the speaker for the evening, Bishop Othal Hawthorne Lakey, presiding bishop of the 6th Episcopal District and host. Speaking from I Corinthians 1:10-18, Bishop Lakey used as a title, "The 'In Between' Church." Bishop Lakey said that while the first church of the Christian faith, as depicted in the Book of Acts, may be the church of our dreams, and the church of the Book of Revelations (the eschatalogical church) might be the church of our vision, there is yet a church in the middle—an "in between church" if you will—the church of the here and now. He suggested that this "in between" church is full of all of the flaws and imperfections of the world. And the "in between" church brings much that "not yet" has been fulfilled. Nevertheless, looking forward to the "not yet," even the church of our vision (the future church), we still have hope.
Joining Bishops Cousin, Walker, Sr., Graves, Palmer and Davis as Celebrants for the Celebration of Holy Communion was United Methodist Bishop Gregory Palmer. AMEZ Bishop Nathaniel Jarrett gave closing remarks, followed by the Benediction by Bishop Lakey.
As hosts of the Gathering, CMEs helped fill the church. Among those present were Bishops Paul A.G. Stewart, Sr. (3rd Episcopal District); Bishop L.L. Reddick III (5th Episcopal District); Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham (8th Epispcopal District); and Bishop Nathaniel Linsey (retired). General Officers present were Mr. Leo Pinkett, General Secretary of Ministry to Men and Dr. Kenneth E. Jones, Editor of The Christian Index. Also present were Miles College President Dr. George T. French, Jr. and Mrs. Joyce French. Several bishops' wives were present.

Passing of Chief Dr. I Carlton Faulk, General Secretary, Emeritus, Department of Lay Ministry. Funeral services for Chief Dr. I Carlton Faulk, General Secretary, Emeritus, Department of Lay Ministry will be held on Friday, March 16, 2007, 11:00 a.m., at Beebe Memorial Cathedral CME Church, 3900 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609. The Rev. Dr. Charley Hames is the pastor. Telephone: 510-655-6114. Fax: 510-655-6170 E-mail: thecathedral@sbcglobal.net

Rev. Regina Reese-Young preaches Revival at Mt. Olive Cathedral CME, Memphis, TN. Rev. Regina Reese-Young is shown above with Sister Mozella Williams-Jones and Bro. Charles Champion, chairperson of the Commission on Membership and Evangelism at Mt. Olive Cathedral CME in Memphis, TN. Rev. Reese-Young, pastor of Calvary CME Church in Buffalo, NY, was the October 2006 Revival evangelist at Mt. Olive, where Rev. Dr. Stevey Wilburn is pastor. Sisters Greta Wilburn, Jacqueline Harvey and Deborah Brown were revival program coordinators.
"She opened her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness" (Proverb 31:26).
Rev. Reese-Young left the congregation and community visitors many octaves higher in spiritual enrichment as a result of her powerful delivery of three nights of challenging sermons and songs. Truly, the CME Zion is in Divine Order for moving from "Good to Great" with the caliber of Holy Ghost fire generated by this powerful sister in the ministry of the gospel.
"Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates" (Proverbs 31:31).
Submitted by Mozella Jones.

CME youth and young adult murdered and wounded in tragic drive-by in Wadley, AL. By Rev. Jacob G. Colbert, Jr., pastor, Coger Hill CME Church, Daviston, AL. There are four towns located close to one another, about 25 miles above Alexander City, AL. The towns are New Site, AL; Daviston, AL; Wadley, AL; and Roanoke, AL. There are CME churches in New Site, Daviston and Wadley. All three churches have members who reside within the four “country towns.” Terrance Wilkes (shown above) and Jasper Buchannan (below) were both members of Coger Hill CME Church in Daviston, Alabama, where the pastor is Rev. Jacob G. Colbert, Jr.
Terrance was a senior at Wadley High School, and was well known as an outstanding football running back. He was the second leading rusher in Alabama high school history, with a total of 9,680 yards and 152 touchdowns. Terrance was also an honor student; he was looking forward to a promising future. His cousin, Jasper Buchannan, is a senior at the University of Alabama. Jasper was visiting with family in Wadley for Thanksgiving. He, along with his cousins and friends, decided to go to the park and play a friendly game of basketball. While playing basketball in the park, suddenly two cars drove up to the court. As the passengers unloaded, they began to open gunfire on all of the young men playing basketball. When the dust settled and the two cars had left the scene, Jasper and Terrance were shot and bleeding. Their friends and family rushed them to the nearest Medical Clinic where Terrance was pronounced dead upon arrival.Jasper was air lifted to the University of Alabama, Birminghamm (UAB) Hospital.
Two of the perpetrators turned themselves in to the local sheriff, and there were three others arrested within a few days. Pastor Colbert was visiting family in Buckeye, AZ and Jasper’s brother, Stephen, who is stationed in Denver, CO, telephoned Pastor Colbert to make him aware of what was going on. Pastor and Mrs. Colbert caught the next flight they could, to return to Alabama to minister to the families.
When Bishop Lawrence Reddick III (5th Episcopal District) found out about this tragedy, he immediately telephoned the family to comfort Jasper’s mother. The funeral for Terrance was planned and held in the high school gymnasium. Terrance's football team mates sat together, all of them wearing their jerseys. Attendance was well over 1000. The school principal and the football coach gave remarks, and Pastor Colbert officiated and preached the eulogy. There were seven ministers from the community present, including Rev. Gregory Scott who is pastor of White Chapel CME Church in Wadley, who offered the prayer.
Jasper’s recovery was painful, and his medical care very expensive. His mother insisted on either she or a family member being present with Jasper 24 hours a day. Pastor Colbert is employed in the Finance Department at UAB, so he was able to visit Jasper daily. Bishop Reddick directed Pastor Colbert to share the news at the Mid-Winter Accounting meeting of the Southeast Alabama Region and also offer a plea for financial support for Jasper’s medical treatment. In a free will offering, the conference raised over $1,400 and Bishop Reddick delivered the donations to the family at the hospital.
Possibly because Terrance in his death and Jasper in his recovery were receiving so much attention, a local newspaper printed an article quoting the local county sheriff’s office as saying that the violence possibly was the result of gangs fighting over drug-dealing turf. Neither of the young men had any proven ties to gangs or drug dealing. They both are excellent examples to the youth in their community. The article printed in the paper only proved to upset the families who are all active members of Coger Hill CME Church.
On Saturday, January 13, 2007, Coger Hill hosted a musical benefit service to raise more funds to assist in covering Jasper’s hospital bills. Gospel musical groups from all over the local counties came to participate. The service lasted four hours, and a good sum of money was raised. Jasper’s Mother, Sis. Edith Buchannan, stood to announce that whatever amount was collected, half will be given to Terrance’s family. The perpetrators are being held in the local county jail. Investigators are still searching for a motive.
The death of Terrance and wounding of Jasper have inspired the church family to begin to organize a Boys and Girls Club in that local area. Less than a month later there was another shooting in Wadley, and two teenagers severely beat another young man. Both of these violent crimes were centered on disputes concerning young females. Pastor Jacob Colbert was invited to preach a special revival focusing on the four “country towns” working together as “one village” to reclaim their communities. The revival was well attended, and there is now a greater focus on seeking solutions to stop the violence in these communities.

One Church One School 11th Partnership Conference. One Church One School (OCOS), the 13 year-old Chicago-based community partnership organization celebrated its 11th Annual Partnership Conference on Thursday and Friday, October 19 and 20, 2006.
An orderly crowd of over 400 public high school students from Chicago and Gary, IN, filed into the imposing International House on the campus of the University of Chicago to attend the OCOS Student Empowerment Seminar held in conjunction with the Conference. Marcellus Jones, Gospel Radio AM 1390 personality facilitated the program. The seminar addressed the hip-hop industry’s impact on today’s youth
Professor Lance Williams, Ph.D. assistant director of the Jacob H. Carrouthers Center for Inner City studies at Northeastern Illinois University, engaged the youth, their chaperones and the religious leaders attending the conference in a dynamic dialogue surrounding the images depicted in hip-hop videos and music. He also provided the historical setting for hip hop’s evolution from social consciousness to its present negative state espousing vulgarity and demeaning women. The reaction from the audience was full of applause shout-outs and other signs of agreement. The students did not want to leave and expressed their appreciation to Professor Williams and the One Church One School Sponsors.
After the power packed morning with the students, the religious leaders, educators, community members, program volunteers and parents returned to the Oak Lawn Hilton Hotel and Conference Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois for a demonstration of the revolutionary and powerful Professor B Mathematics Program. Professor Everard Barrett has created a guaranteed strategy for parents, tutors and teachers to help children successfully learn mathematics.
In the evening all gathered to enjoy the Lifetime Achievement Awards Banquet with sumptuous food, a dynamic message and a celebration. Emcee, Bishop Dotcy I. Isom, Jr. enhanced the evening with his quick wit. Bishop Thomas L. Brown, presiding prelate, 4th Episcopal District, CME Church and former Dean, Phillips School of Theology in Atlanta, GA, banquet speaker, reminisced with the audience on when we were Christian and Colored. The banquet hall, full to capacity, came alive with responses of applause, verbal affirmations and laughter. Dr. Elnora Daniel, president, Chicago State University, and Dr. Elnora Hamb, president, Women’s Missionary Council, CME Church, received One Church One School Lifetime Achievement Awards for their dedication and lifetime commitment to the education and welfare of our young people.
On Friday morning, Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart, 3rd Episcopal District, CME Church and Bishop Tom G. Benjamin, Senior Pastor Light of the World Christian Church, Indianapolis, IN, presented compelling motivational and inspirational messages. Bishop Stewart challenged the conference with the apostle Paul’s message to keep on pressing toward the mark...regardless of the obstacles, for our children are in trouble. Bishop Benjamin’s charge was captured in the phrase “What’s your purpose?” Whatever one’s position or achievements, most important is knowing and fulfilling one’s purpose. He praised One Church One School for fulfilling its purpose in supporting the academic and social development of our children.
Plenary sessions were followed with interactive workshops including The Impact of the Hip Hop Industry, Community Health Issues, No Child Left Behind Act, Freedom School, Steps to a One Church One School Partnership. Participants expressed the value of the workshops in helping them to understand and gain the skills necessary to do the work of One Church One School
Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr. facilitated the Recognition Luncheon that recognized those on the front line in service to our children: Mr. Earl Bryant - Educator of the Year, Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham - Religious Leader of the Year, Mrs. Ruth Vance - Volunteer of the Year. Scholarships and award plaques were given to Mr. Dion Broughton and Ms. Kayla Moore Students of the Year. Dr. Barbara Eason Watkins, CEO Chicago Public Schools saluted the awardees and shared with the audience her history with church/school relationships and their positive impact on her life.
Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr. founded One Church One School in 1992 and has spearheaded the organization from a single church and school partnership to a nation wide network of more than 300 partnerships. For more information, please contact Mrs. Phedonia Johnson at (773) 651-0071; Fax: (773) 651-1056; Pjohnson@onechurchoneschool.org.

Loss of Mrs. Elizabeth Jackson. The wife of St. Louis District Presiding Elder O.R. Jackson, Mrs. Elizabeth Jackson, passed Monday morning, January 29, 2007. Condolences can be sent to :

11215 Birmingham Court,
St. Louis, MO 63138.
Presiding Elder Jackson can be reached at 314-741-1316 or 314-358-3777.

Arrangements are pending.

Ouida Brown Named CME Church's General Counsel. The College of Bishops of the CME Church announced at the recent 11th Pastors' Conference and 63rd Founders' Observance of the Phillips School of Theology in Atlanta, GA, that Atty. Ouida Brown will serve as the General Counsel of the CME Church. The General Counsel is the advisor to the College of Bishops and the General Church on all matters of law and represents the Church on its legal concerns. A resident of Tuscumbia, AL, Atty. Brown assumes the position formerly held by Atty. Randolph Walker.

(update) Loss of wife of Dr. I. Carlton Faulk. Mrs. Joyce Faulk, wife of former General Secretary of Lay Ministry Chief Dr. I. Carlton Faulk, a faithful Missionary and member of Beebe Memorial CME Church in Oakland, CA, passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2007. Please keep the Faulk family lifted up in prayer, especially Dr. I. Carlton Faulk, who himself is ill.
The funeral service for Mrs. Faulk will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at Beebe Memorial CME, 3900 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA.

Cards may be sent to the family at: 1222 Rose, Berkeley, CA 94702

10 Outstanding Ministers Honored at 11th Pastors' Conference. In what has come to be one of the highlights of the annual Pastors’ Conference, Tuesday evening, January 9, 2007, was set aside as a time to recognize outstanding ministerial leadership in the CME Church. The Celebration of Outstanding Ministries was led by Rev. Dr. Raymond F. Williams, pastor of the Brown Memorial CME Church in Louisville, KY, who served as the liturgist. Also participating in the program were Rev. E.D. Hooks, pastor of Shy Temple CME Church, Atlanta, GA; Rev. John D. Pasley, pastor of Mt. Pisgah CME Church, Memphis, TN; Bishop E. Lynn Brown, presiding bishop of the 2nd Episcopal District, and Rev. Stephen P. Delaine, pastor of the Westside Community CME Church, Atlanta, GA. Rendering music selections were the Westside Community CME Church Male Chorus and the Shy Temple CME Church Choir. The congregation was thrilled to see and hear Dr. Elfreda A. Lakey, wife of conference host, Bishop Othal H. Lakey, accompanying the Shy Temple Choir on piano.
The speaker of the evening was Rev. Dr. Donald R. Robinson, pastor of the Lane Metropolitan CME Church, in Cleveland, OH. Introduced by Bishop E. Lynn Brown, Dr. Robinson preached the Celebration sermon in place of Dr. O.D. Walker, pastor of the Phillips Temple CME Church, Indianapolis, IN, who was recovering from illness. Dr. Robinson preached from Luke 15:8-9, using as a title, “Lost in the House.” He said that, like the woman in the parable who lost her coin, those who form the community of believers would do well to turn on the light and sweep out the dirt of their lives and the church in order to be found of God.
After the sermon, President/Dean of the Phillips School of Theology Dr. Marvin F. Thomas began the presentation of persons selected by their respective Episcopal Districts to be the 2007 recipient of the outstanding minister award. Each minister, whose biographical sketch was found in the official conference program, was introduced by his or her respective Episcopal leader and presented a plaque. This year’s recipients were 1st Episcopal District: Dr. Arthur L. David, pastor, St. Paul CME, Jackson, TN; 2nd Episcopal District: Rev. Della S. Porter, pastor, Cleaves Memorial CME, Evansville, IN; 3rd Episcopal District: Rev. Faith A. Allen, pastor, Carter Metropolitan CME Church, Detroit, MI; 4th Episcopal District: Rev. Denise Anders-Modest, pastor, Anderson Chapel CME, Holly Springs, MS; 5th Episcopal District: Rev. Willie C. Jackson, pastor, Popular Springs CME, Reform, AL; 6th Episcopal District: Rev. Carlton Mahone, Sr., presiding elder, Albany-Thomasville District, Fitzgerald, GA; 7th Episcopal District: Rev. Robert J. Williams, Jr., pastor, Williams Memorial CME Church, High Point, NC; 8th Episcopal District: Dr. C.E. Mitchell, pastor, Post Oak CME, Longview, TX; 9th Episcopal District: Rev. Hurley V. Grissom, Jr., pastor, Amos Metropolitan CME, Oakland, CA; and 10th Episcopal District: Rev. Adjei Lawson, presiding elder, Northwest District, Ghana Region.

Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. Conducts B. Julian Smith Lecture at the 11th Pastors’ Conference
Atlanta, GA—Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr., presiding prelate of the 4th Episcopal District, was the guest presenter in the B. Julian Smith Lectureship on Tuesday at the 11th Pastors’ Conference. The conference is being held at the Sheraton Atlanta Airport Hotel. Addressing the conference theme, “From Good to Great: Developing Effective Pastoral Leadership for the 21st Century,” Bishop Brown presented the following outline to conference attendees.
I. Pastoral Leadership: A cursive historical perspective
A. Prior to the 1940s, pastors were considered effective if they possessed a dose of commitment, a dash of sincerity, good will, and a Call from God.
B. From the 1940’s through 1980’s was the era of the professional ministers’ mystique, focusing on educating and training ministers for service. Heavy emphasis was placed on ministerial education.
C. The Contemporary demand—“Missional pastoral leaders” who are “ultimately measured by their ability to organize, build” congregations. To take churches to a new level of growth.
II. The Effective Pastoral Leader may be described as:
A. A designer (pastoral ambition)
B. A steward (custodian of the “deep story” of the faith community.
C. A teacher/preacher—connects reality with vision. Pastor must define reality.
III. The Problems facing Pastoral Leadership
A. Lack of pastoral identity (examples: Moses and Gideon)
B. Lack of a sense of pastoral vocation – (Call story and vocational clarity)
C. Lack of a sense of pastoral authority – Meaning of Ordination
IV. Creating the Environment and Process for More Effective Leadership Development
A. An environment where objectives are clearly expressed.
B. An environment where there is high delegation of authority vs. responsibilities
C. An environment where pastors are helped early on in decision making.
D. An environment where there is more continuity in the development process.
E. An environment where young preachers are paired with older, more competent pastoral leaders.
F. An environment where compassion is demonstrated, not indulgence or co-dependency.
G. An environment that fosters a coaching versus correcting process.
H. An environment where pastoral leaders are helped in the process of developing the skills of self-evaluation and consultation.
V. The Biblical Narrative – God’s Leadership on Display

11th Pastors’ Conference and 63rd Founders’ Celebration of the Phillips School of Theology Convenes
The 11th Pastors’ Conference and 63rd Founders’ Celebration of the Phillips School of Theology began on Monday evening, January 8, 2007, at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel – Atlanta (GA) Airport, with the Convening Worship Service. Dr. Marvin F. Thomas, Sr., the newly elected president and dean of the CME Church’s seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center, served as worship leader. The convening service was the first official activity of the conference which goes through Thursday of the week. Prior to the service, the members of the Board of Trustees of the seminary came together for their annual pre-conference meeting. It was during this business session that Dr. Marvin Thomas, Sr. was elected president. Dr. Thomas has been serving as interim president since the conclusion of the 36th General Conference of the CME Church in July of last year, after the election to bishop of Dr. Thomas Brown, Sr. Of note from the business of the meeting of the Board was the reaffirmation of the decision of the General Conference to provide a line item in the budget of the CME Church for the 2007-10 quadrennium that includes funding for half of the tuition of all CME seminarians attending the Phillips School of Theology. This budgetary commitment represents the strongest level of support of the General Church for Phillips seminarians in the school’s history.
Others participating in the convening service on Monday evening were Rev. Dr. Clarence Buchanan, St. Luke CME Church, Champaign, IL; the Butler Street CME Church Choir, Atlanta, GA; Rev. Edward C. McKelvey, Trinity CME Church, Memphis, TN; Bishop Othal H. Lakey, presiding prelate of the 6th Episcopal; the College Park CME Church; Bishop E. Lynn Brown, 2nd Episcopal District prelate; and Dr. Jerome E. McNeil, Jr., pastor, Christian Chapel CME Church, Dallas, TX.
The speaker for the evening, introduced by Bishop E. Lynn Brown, was Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart, Sr., prelate of the 3rd Episcopal District. Bishop Stewart used as a title “From Good to Great: Developing Effective Pastoral Leaders for Ministry in the 21st Century.” Bishop Stewart began his message being thankful just to be able to preach, stating that he had not been feeling his best. Yet, “God is able,” he said.
“We need to develop effective pastoral leaders,” said Bishop Stewart. He said that the Church often has spent a great deal of time and energy developing other things—buildings and so on—we need to develop effective pastoral leadership. “Of all the good sermons you preach, if you mess up in leadership” your ministry suffers. Bishop Stewart went on to talk about some of the successful ministries in which he was engaged as pastor of the Phillips Temple CME Church in Los Angeles, CA. In gaining a grant from the Ford Foundation, Bishop Stewart said the foundation suggested that "although you have great preaching skills, we are going to send you back to develop leadership skills. "
Bishop Stewart said leadership is a most observed but least understood skill. “Folk know when we don’t have it,” said the bishop. He said leadership comes in many different colors, sizes, shapes, styles and so on. “Stop borrowing others' styles and find out what’s best for you.”
Bishop Stewart said that, for Christians, leadership is a gift from God. It is a treasure in clay jars. It all depends on the talents God has given us. But whatever talents we have, they are not ours to brag about or boast. “They are the working of God’s grace. If you think you ‘have it all,’” he said, “you won’t be a good leader.”
There are three qualities for effective pastoral leadership. The first quality is vision. Bishop Stewart said vision is a picture of what is possible. It is seeing beyond the visual and going beyond the barriers. Vision is catching up with what God wants us to do.
“A clear vision must be in place before people can permit change to take place. Vision gives meaning and direction. Without vision, the people perish…vision is the reward of listening to God.”
Bishop Stewart said that every pastor has some dry bones, but if you’ve been listening to the Lord, you shall be able to say “hear the word from the Lord.” “ Let no one kill your vision.”
The second quality for effective leadership is passion to include or to be inclusive. “God is calling us to mission with people who didn’t grow up in the church. The new mission of the Church is to those who look different from us and who act differently, dress differently, and even smell different. “We need to recapture the Wesleyan spirit. We must minister to different people, different backgrounds, different cultures, and different socioeconomic statuses. Jesus ministered to all. God is calling us to be inclusive like Jesus.”
In giving a personal testimony, Bishop Stewart said he is glad that, despite his personal flaws, Jesus was inclusive of him.
Third, he said in order to have effective pastoral leadership, we need to understand our congregations. A church is never a "neat and tidy church," said Bishop Stewart. He said few pastors understand both what needs to be done as well as understand the people well enough to know what needs to be done. He suggested this is indeed a rare combination of leadership ability to achieve. In addressing this point, Bishop Stewart referred to Ezekiel’s account of the valley of the dry bones, quoting from the scripture “…the hand of the Lord is upon me.” Bishop Stewart said leadership will be more effective if you let the hand of the Lord be upon you.
“I have found I understand better when I sit among the dry bones. You won’t ever be the pastor you need to be until you sit among the dry bones. Then and only then can you hear the word of the Lord."
Finally, effective pastoral leadership must see the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship with God. We have become so accustomed to reading, preparing and praying for others that we don’t do it for ourselves. He paraphrased one noted writer by saying there seems to exist an "anti-leadership vaccine" in our ministries. "Satan is busy immunizing preachers against leadership." Bishop Stewart went on to tell the story of his father who once having been bitten by a snake, and visiting his physician, made it through.
“I had a good physician,” Bishop Stewart said his father said. The bishop said although Satan is immunizing pastors against leadership, just like in the case of his father’s snake bite, Jesus is a spiritual anecdote. Yes, Satan immunizes with gossip, discouragement, liars, preacher fighters, cold members and much more, but Jesus is the spiritual physician. He is the answer to effective pastoral leadership.

New Look for The Christian Index
Many of you have commented on the new look of the printed version of The Christian Index reflected in the October and November 2006 issues. Overwhelmingly, we have been receiving very positive feedback concerning the changes. While, as editor, I would love to take all of the credit for what you are seeing, I must defer to the CME Publisher, Dr. William E. George, who figured out a way to bring more color to our publication. Additionally, Dr. George has improved the quality of paper on which the Index is printed, giving our historic official organ a more professional look. Finally, I will take some personal credit for a software change used for layout and design, moving from the tried-and-true Adobe Pagemaker application to the latest industry standard, Adobe Indesign Creative Suite. Dr. George has also converted to Indesign Creative Suite on the pre-press end, ensuring a smooth transition from the document manuscript to final press. I believe the change in software produces a smoother, less edgy feel to the magazine overall. Dr. George and I are continually striving to bring you the very best publication possible. Let us know what you think. Enjoy! P.S. This is a great time to submit your articles to The Christian Index. We need to hear from you.

Happy New Year! 2007!