YACM AME ZION

“Episcopal Candidates Corner”

By

Rev. George William Whitfield

YACM Public Relations Committee Member

Associate Minister at Spradling Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, Louisville KY

Good Morning my Zionite Family!

Today is Wednesday and I am happy about that because we have two more days to go until we are grace with the weekend. I will encourage everyone that is reading this blog this morning to take some time out for you this weekend. Its always good to have a "Me Day",

Today’s candidate I met at the 145^th Session of the Kentucky Annual Conference. He preached a mighty word on Missionary Night and I am glad that I was in the house to hear it. I have had the opportunity to sit down with this man of God several times to talk about our church and it excites me to know that we have pastors like him in our denomination.

At the winter meeting this past December I had the opportunity to sit through a workshop that he taught to the single young adult males. One topic that was an eye opener for me was the reasons why we as young adult males are still single. We had a wonderful conversation during this session. I know that she might be shock that I am mentioning her name in this blog but I am glad that today’s Episcopal Candidate allowed YACM Steering Committee member Ms. Portia Jacobs to sit in on our conversation because she added some valuable information that we needed to hear as men.    

I would like to introduce to you today’s Episcopal Candidate the Rev. Dr. Anthony Witherspoon. He is the son of Mrs. Elfreida Witherspoon and was married to the late Sherry Renee Pharr of Charlotte, North Carolina. He has two daughters, Brittany 26; a graduate of Livingstone College (Criminal Justice) and Anquanette 21, and one grandson, Anthony Noland Ingram three year old.

Reverend Witherspoon is a graduate of Duke Divinity School, Livingstone College and East Mecklenburg High School. He currently serves as Adjunct Professor of African American Religious Studies, Criminal Justice/Sociology at St. Louis University, in the field of African American Religious Traditions, has completed courses of study for the Doctor of Ministry Degree at Eden Theological Seminary, Webster Groves, Missouri and is currently in the process of writing his dissertation.

During his twenty-nine years of ministry he has served as Associate Minister at Clement Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church (Charlotte, North Carolina) and Green Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church (Portland, Maine).  He served as Youth Pastor at the Brighton Rock A.M.E. Zion Church (Portsmouth, Virginia), Senior Pastor of the Huntersville A.M.E. Zion Church (Huntersville, North Carolina), New Jersey A.M.E. Zion Church (Lexington, North Carolina), Fair Promise A.M.E. Zion Church (Sanford, North Carolina), St. James A.M.E. Zion Church (Goldsboro, North Carolina), and is currently Senior Pastor at Washington Metropolitan A.M.E Zion Church in St. Louis, Missouri.  

Reverend Witherspoon was appointed by the Honorable Governor Matt Blunt, to serve as a commissioner; of the Emancipation Day Commission for the State of Missouri, was recently elected to serve as treasurer of the Minister’s and Laymen’s Association of the AME Zion Church. He was appointed to The Judicial Commission 21^st District by Governor Jeremiah (Jay) Nixon.  

He is a member of the Local NAACP; Strategic Planning Committee for the A.M.E. Zion Church, Restructuring Commission for the A.M.E. Zion Church, Program Co-Chair for Evangelism Assembly/Leadership Training Institute for The Midwest Episcopal District, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Missouri Annual Conference, and also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

This is how Rev. Anthony Witherspoon answered the questions:  

Why do you think we have a lack of young adult involvement in our church?

The lack of Young Adult involvement in our church is due, in part, to a failure to move our church swiftly and appropriately to meet the demands of the “present age”.  Although a great deal is often mentioned about bringing Young Adults along, making this a reality has been slow, and the desire to relinquish the reigns has taken center stage.  This does not denote the necessity for asking persons who have served in leadership roles to move aside, but it points to helping people to work side by side, to impart a knowledge that is to be passed down.  Many Young Adults feel as though ministries are not applicable to meeting their needs, as well as their children’s needs, especially when there exists an “them” and “us” attitude, rather than a collective one.  The church needs seasoned adults just as it needs Young Adults for the life of the church.  Notwithstanding, the church needs persons from every age group, respectively that reminds us of connectivity.

As Bishop what will you do to engage the young adults?

As a Bishop, I’d focus on bringing groups together for dialogue, including hearing the thoughts of Young Adults.  Questions will engage thought surrounding:  Where do Young Adults see themselves in the life of the church?  What are effective ministries that speak to Young Adult populations, etc?  It is vitally important to bring the Episcopal Area together for Strategic Planning to set in motion a course of action for the area, inclusive of Young Adults input. 

Currently what ministries are you doing at your local church that engages young adults?

Just to name a few:

A.    Mentoring between the ages, especially as persons become New Disciples of Christ through conversion, joining the church, etc.
B.    Very active Young Adult Missionary Society that provides various outlets of ministry beyond what is considered normative.
C.    Sponsored Young Adult Evening for instruction, support, dialogue, direction and planning.
D.    Initiated a Young Adult Bible Study Group, which has blossomed into a Intergenerational Bible Study Group, as several post-Young Adults now attend.
E.    Intentionally placed several Young Adults in various leadership roles, many alongside seasoned members for collective simultaneous interaction.
F.    Youth In Christ Church every other First Sunday, established by Young Adults, to help bridge generational gaps between Youth and Young Adults matriculation.

Where do you see our church in the next 10 years?

The A.M.E. Zion Church is being prompted to look very seriously at the direction of the church for the future.  With serious intentional planning, much of which may even require an even more honest/serious look at where we are presently, our church will have to make necessary adjustments to help secure the future of church.  Should plans be put in place appropriately, our church will be able to stop the steady decline and become more balanced.  The time for “Propelling Zion Into The Future” is not a thing to come, but must become a reality of the present.  Just as other denominations are facing similar situations, it was not the desire of our fore-parents for us to not face the reality head on, but meet the demands with faith.  With this in mind, and making appropriate necessary adjustments will solidify our church and it’s future, even well beyond 10 years.

If you would like to contact Rev. Dr. Anthony Witherspoon he can be reached at spoon4bishop@gmail.com.