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 Afternoon my Zionite Family!

How was your weekend? I pray that it was blessed and productive as mine was.

I want to take this moment to thank all of you who have been working to make this blog series a success. I want to personally thank past YACM Steering Committee Member Ms. Francilla Allen for helping getting the information about the blog to today’s candidate. Having people working behind the scene without you even knowing it is always a blessing from God. I salute you Ms. Allen!!!  

Today’s Episcopal Candidate is an awesome man of God. Anyone with the name George has to be that way….lol….Okay I know that was corny but I had to go there.

I haven’t had the opportunity to have dialogue with this candidate but I have heard a lot about his teaching and preaching. I enjoy his visionary moments that he posts on facebook everyday because, It gives you the chance to reflect on Gods word, as you go about your day.  

I would like to introduce to you today’s Episcopal Candidate the Rev. Dr. George D. Crenshaw. He is married to the former Laurenna Hardy of Birmingham, Alabama and is the parent of two children Quentin Dewayne and Kennedy Diane.

Dr. Crenshaw holds a B.A. from Indiana University, Masters of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary, and is currently a Doctoral Candidate at Hood Theological Seminary.

At present, Dr. Crenshaw is the Pastor of Shaw Temple A.M.E. Zion Church. He has presided over the Indianapolis, Cheraw-Bennettsville and Lancaster Districts.

He is a six time delegate to the A.M.E. Zion Church General Conference and a three time delegate to the World Methodist Conference.

This is how Rev. Dr. Crenshaw answered the questions:  

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

Unfortunately, the lack of involvement in our church is not only among young adults. In many churches our young population is at its lowest level in many years. We are not replacing our senior saints who have been elevated from the church militant to the church triumphant. As it relates specifically to young adults, young adults are energetic, empowering, and enthusiastic concerning meaningful ministry.  Young adults are genuine and therefore seek avenues of authentic expression, affirmation, and confirmation. Unfortunately, this is not always found in church. I believe the lack of involvement of this vital demographic in our Zion is due in part to a disconnection of generations. This disconnect can be as varied as dress, music, lack of relevant ministries or administrative deficiencies. Many young adults have cited such reasons to include lackluster worship, impersonal and/or judgmental membership and the lack of church involvement with social or political issues.  If we are serious about engaging young adults in a meaningful way, we must demonstrate seriousness about the great commission!

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

I believe the most significant ministry we offer as a denomination is at the local level. As Bishop I will encourage pastors to offer a ministry that empowers and edifies every section of our church, but especially those who face a myriad of issues associated with being young adults.

It is my experience that in order to engage young adults we must offer a ministry that is real, relevant, relational and revolutionary. Because young adults are seeking to be partners in a ministry that affects change, they gravitate toward ministries that impact society. Young adults respect tradition but they will always choose a cause over a creed. On the Episcopal district and connectional level I will appoint young adults to fiduciary boards to ensure the voice of young adults are at the table.

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

Our Young Adults serve at the helm of leadership at Shaw Temple. From our ministerial staff to our Trustee and Steward Boards, young adults serve not only in supportive roles or in support based ministries, but our young adults are the cornerstone of our ministry. Our Young Adults serve in every capacity because we are clear - the Church of today includes every age group. Upon your arrival at the Temple, you are greeted by young adults. Your children are taught by young adults. The congregation is ministered to in song by young adults. The Health and Wellness ministry, Couples Ministry, Singles Ministry and our Learning Center are all headed by young Adults. The fact however, I am most pleased with is our young adults serve in senior administration at Shaw Temple. Many of our young adults serve in senior administrative positions in their secular employment, but thank God, they also use those unusual gifts and talents in the ministry of Shaw Temple.

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

I firmly believe our best days are ahead of us. I believe our greatest chapter is yet to be written. If our church however, is to fulfill her destiny we must be willing to make some difficult decision.  We must become flexible enough to adjust our methods while retaining our message. We must return to seeking to become the advocate for the disenfranchised. We must return to our social justice roots that earned us the name “The Freedom Church.” We examine every aspect of our polity and embrace lay leadership as equal partners in kingdom building. t is my prayer that our beloved church will be a multi-cultural, family-focused, cutting-edge ministry known for her dynamic worship, social justice ministries and incomparability in management, accountability and integrity.

We can position ourselves to experience the favor of God as never before, but we must return to our first love, by displaying Christian character for our membership and life changing concern for all.

If you would like to contact Rev. Dr. George D. Crenshaw he can be reached at peldergdc@aol.com.