“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.

“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!

The weekend is upon us and I am glad about it. I pray that you all had a wonderful and productive week.

This will be our last article for the week and we are excited about finishing up the Episcopal Candidates Corner next week. If you know of a candidate and you haven’t seen there article please have them get in contact with me at ame_zion_preacher@hotmail.com. I have been in contact with Revs. George D. Crenshaw and Terry L. Jones Sr. I will be posting there articles next week.  

I would like to introduce to you today’s Episcopal Candidate the Rev. Dr. Derrick R. Anderson. He was born September 16, 1951 in Wilmington, North Carolina, the son of Bishop Herman L. Anderson, Sr. (deceased) and Mrs. Ruth R. Anderson, and the grandson of Bishop and Mrs. Felix S. Anderson, Sr. (deceased). He was baptized as an infant at St. Luke A.M.E. Zion Church (Wilmington, NC) and received Jesus Christ when he was sixteen years old.

Prior to receiving the call into the preaching ministry, he was a Branch Manager and Assistant Vice President for Louisville Home Savings & Loan Association in Louisville, Kentucky. He was licensed a traveling minister in 1980, served as a Youth Minister at Soldier’s Memorial (Salisbury, NC), and pastored the following churches: Bethel (Matthews, NC); Sandy Ridge (Landis, NC); East Stonewall (Charlotte, NC); St. Paul (Detroit, MI), and currently Grace (Charlotte, NC). As a pastor, he has lead congregations in building churches, saving souls, transforming lives, and starting new ministries in the church and community.

He earned degrees from: Hampton University (B.A. 1973), University of Louisville (M.S. 1975), Hood T. S. (M.Div. 1983), and Asbury T.S. (D. Min. 1995). He has served on church and community boards. He is married the Reverend Margaret R. Anderson, and they have four children and three grandchildren.

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

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

We have failed to recognize our children, youth, and young adults as the church of today and not just the church of tomorrow.

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

I will insist that our churches recognize, celebrate, and minister to the needs of all generations, and will lead by example.

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

At Grace, we have added: a young adult Sunday School Class, a college prep ministry for high school and middle school students, and a support ministry for college students. We have community outreach, social, and evangelistic events.

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

A church inclusive of all generations and on the cutting edge of Kingdom building.

If you would like to contact Rev. Dr. Derrick R. Anderson he can be reached at pastorgraceamez@yahoo.com.

Little Known Black History Fact

Autherine Juanita Lucy October 5, 1929-

Autherine Juanita Lucy was the first black student to attend the University of Alabama, in 1956. She was born on October 5, 1929 inShiloh, Alabama and graduated from Linden Academy in 1947. She went on to attend Selma University in Selma, and the all-black Miles College in Fairfield- where she graduated with a BA in English in 1952. Later in 1952, at the encouragement of and along with a Miles classmate, Pollie Ann Myers, she decided to attend the University of Alabama as a graduate student.

“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.

“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!

Before I start my blog this morning I have to give a shout out to my NY Zionite family. I know you are on cloud 9 right about now. The super bowl on Sunday was awesome and I am so HAPPY that the New York Giants won.

Speaking of winning brings me to today’s Episcopal Candidate. I met this candidate at the 103rd Session of the Indiana Annual Conference. He preached a mighty word during missionary night.  At the winter meeting in Los Angeles, CA he preached on the topic “All We Do Is Win” and please believe me when I say it was a RIGHT NOW WORD.

I would like to introduce to you today’s Episcopal Candidate the Rev. Dr. W. Darin Moore. He is currently the pastor of Greater Centennial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Mount Vernon. NY. This is the same church where he grew up, worshipped with his family, received Christ and began in ministry in 1977. Rev. Dr. Moore currently is the Presiding Elder of the Nassau, Bahamas district.  

Dr. Moore is a graduate of Livingstone College, Yale Divinity, and United Seminary. His pastoral assignments include Clarksville/Morning Star, Monroe, NC; Mt. Olivet, Greensboro, NC; and Jones Tabernacle, Indianapolis, IN. He also has been the Presiding Elder of the Indianapolis District.

Dr. Moore is very active in the AME Zion Church. He is the recipient of the James Varick Leadership Award, the founding Chairman of YACM, the Vice Chairman of the Harriet Tubman Board of Directors and is a member of Livingstone College Board of Trustees. Not only is he active in the church he is active in the community. He is currently the President of GC Homes/CDC, Mount Veron Board of Education and the United Black Clergy.

He is a loving husband to Devieta, a caring father to Daron, Dana and Dion and God’s good shepherd in the body of Christ, he understands the call upon the church to be a transformational force, declaring; “It is our outreach that validates our up reach.”  When you talk to people about Rev. Dr. Moore they will tell you that he emboides the essentials of leadership that include vision, ability, and integrity.

This is how Rev. Dr. Darin Moore answered the questions:  

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

While Zion has done a great job of celebrating and protecting our rich heritage, we have failed to effectively engage young adults on all levels of our church by passionately proclaiming the Gospel in ways that connect with the practical challenges young adults face daily. We also have to be willing to take a critical view of our practices and procedures to ascertain whether they are the most effective way to do ministry in the 21st century, with a commitment to retain those traditions that are valuable and discard what no longer is effective.

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

The best predictor of what a person will do is to consider what they have done. As the founding chairman of YACM, I have been a consistent advocate for Young Adults. As a bishop, I will continue this pattern by 1) Being intentionally inclusive of young adults on the denominational, episcopal district, and annual conference levels and encourage pastors and district officers to do the same. 2) I will meet regularly with youth, YACM and YAMS leaders, establishing a youth/young adult cabinet in my episcopal district to facilitate communication and develop effective strategies for young adult ministries. 3) I will appoint an episcopal district director of communications who will manage an innovative social media ministry.

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

Greater Centennial has the largest young adult membership in Zion and offers many impactful ministries for and by young adults, including an active YACM. They sponsor life enrichment workshops, Bible studies, and social outings. Our Media Ministry is run by young adults. We also have strong male and female mentoring programs led by our young adults, and both a Singles Ministry and a Marriage Ministry.

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

I envision Zion reclaiming our identity as the "Freedom Church" and renewing it for the next generation. We will offer powerful, transformative ministries resulting in spiritual, educational, and economic liberation. I'm excited about our future because the Lord is using this season of decline to renew our focus on what matters most, not raising claims, not church politics, but transformative worship and dynamic discipleship.

If you would like to contact Rev. Dr. W. Darin Moore he can be reached at amezpastor@aol.com.

Little Known Black History Fact

Macon Bolling Allen (August 4, 1816-June 11, 1894)

He was an African American Lawyer and abolitionist. He was the first African American licensed to practice law in the United States and the first African American Justice of the Peace.

“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

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  (Psalm 118:24)

Good Morning my fellow Zionite family. I pray that you are having a wonderful day. I woke up this morning with a thankful heart because God has been so good to all of us, even when we don’t deserve it. I challenge everyone that is reading this blog entry to take a moment out of your schedules today, just to tell God THANK YOU.

What can I say about today’s Episcopal Candidate? I met this woman of God at the Mid-West Episcopal District Leadership Institute. I was really excited to meet her because I had heard so much about her. God allowed our paths to cross during the lunch hour. It wasn’t until after worship that we were able to sit down and have dialogue. I like that fact that she wanted to know what I thought about certain issues pertaining to our church. I really enjoyed our conversation and I thank God for allowing me to have that opportunity. 

I would like to introduce to you today’s Episcopal Candidate Presiding Elder Barbara LaToison. She was raised in Wilmot, Arkansas, at John Wesley. In 1983 Presiding Elder LaToison accepted the call to preach, 1987 was ordained deacon and elder in 1990. In 1994 she co-planted Holy Ghost AME Zion Church, 2005 was assigned Presiding Elder of the Houston-San Antonio District. In 2008, she was assigned Pastor of Walls Chapel AME Zion Church and February 2009, was elected President of the Presiding Elder’s Council of the A. M. E. Zion Church.

Presiding Elder LaToison studied Psychology and Speech Communication at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, holds a Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling and is in the project phase of her Doctor of Ministry from Houston Graduate School of Theology.

She has been married to Rev. Abelardo LaToison for 30 years. They have 6 children, 12 grandchildren, and a couple more on the way.

This is how Presiding Elder LaToison answered the questions:  

1.               Why do you think me have a lack of young adult involvement in our church?

There are a myriad of reasons why there is a lack of young adult involvement in our church, however I will only address three. The first is the poor use of time, a three hour service that is filled with poorly planned and orchestrated worship components that lack spiritual and relational vitality. Secondly, young adults do not feel that they are wanted in the church. This has two separate and distinct factors: 1) young adults are technologically savvy and feel that if a church does not attempt to communicate with them through this medium they are not serious about them; and when they do overcome this point and engage they are not heard and their gifts and graces are not utilized. Finally, young adults are more pragmatic than former generations, they need messages and bible studies that hit them where the rubber meets the road and give them practical applications rather than sermons that wax well rhetorically and wane poorly about how to deal with the day to day issues.

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

As Bishop I will do what I presently do in my local church, district, and in our Episcopal areas. I am intentional about making sure that we have representation of every age group in strategic areas. Example: When our Episcopal District had its vision casting retreat, as the coordinator, I pressed to make sure we had youth and young adult voices to participate and vocalize the concerns of their demographic. Likewise, when our Episcopal district established a Transformation Management Team I ensured there was young adult representation on that team.  I am constantly looking for young adults who are willing and able to engage and offer leadership on the Houston-San Antonio District. Currently, on the Houston-San Antonio District, at least one young adult provides leadership in each of the departments. In the Local church, I have been intentional about placing young adults in visible, responsible and managerial areas of leadership, such as Trustees, Stewards, Christian Educators, Minister of Music, Outreach and Evangelism. Finally, I purposely engage my young adults in dialogue seeking their input and implementing their ideas, hopefully with them taking on leadership roles to accomplish the objectives.

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

Currently, the local church where I serve is a church in transition. When I arrived at the church, more than seventy percent of the congregation was fifty-five years old or older and only 19 percent were young adults. Today, the fifty-five and older are twenty four percent of the congregation and the young adults have risen to forty-two percent. This increase of young adult membership at Walls Chapel is a direct result of initiating and developing relationships with the young adult population surrounding Texas Southern University, a college near the church. This influx revealed to us the young adult need for constant, enriching, and genuine relationships. The new young adult members are currently developing two ministries around those principles: the Young Adult fellowship and the Young Couples Ministry.

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

I see the church being stronger than it has ever been. Research shows that by 2015 there will be a generational shift in the population of the United States, 1/3 of the US population will be the Millennials, those persons between the ages of 19-37. I see a church that is seeking to stem the exodus of young adults from our churches and find ways to re-attract, reattach, and retain those persons who left. Secondly, I see us becoming competitive and moving from our screening and selection process that is based on race, class and socio economic status and striving to reach all. I see a church that is seeking to connect with young adults digitally: having websites, Facebook, twitter, blogs and other forms of social media. Once we are connected, we have relevant and relational ministries that utilize technology and audio visual media. I see a church that seeks to embrace, engage, and involve people in a more multigenerational approach, not only in the worship experience, but in leadership as well. I see a church that values tradition is lead by the Holy Spirit and make decisions based on available sociological and demographic information.

If you would like to contact Presiding Elder Barbara LaToison she can be reached at barbara4bishop@gmail.com.