Chronology of the activities which occurred at the 36th Session of the General Conference of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church reported by Maxine L. Day.
Friday, June 23, 2006: Third Episcopal District delegation met at 7:00 p.m. Bishop Stewart, Sr. presided. The 2006 Blue Book of Resolutions and Proposals contained 62 items for review. Bishop Stewart designated Rev. Williams as region leader for our delegation and to confirm the number of delegates and alternates. Our 50 member delegation was structured with 1:1 ratio per rules of the C.M.E. Discipline as follows: Clergy (16 delegates; 9 alternates); Lay (16 delegates; 9 alternates). This initial caucus also included visits by candidates for the episcopacy and other offices. The session concluded at 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 24, 2006 - Opening Service of Holy Communion. Sr. Bishop Marshall Gilmore, Presiding Bishop, presented Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham, Bishop of the 10th Episcopal District, to deliver the communion message. With reflection on a past General Conference where the spirit of the Lord was not upon the members, he petitioned that we convene this conference with a spirit of an Upper Room Prayer Meeting (Acts 1:8). He stated that prayer is the key to be all we can be and to remain unified in the body of Christ.
The Business Session: Roll Call of the Delegates, Temporary Organization- Appointment of Secretarial Staff, Appointment of the Credentials Committee, and Appointment of Orderlies was the order of business for the day. One of the highlights of any General Conference is the reading of the Episcopal Address. This message basically sets the tone and theme of the Conference. Bishop Williamson challenged us to move from Good to Great: The Jesus Challenge. He challenged us to face the brutal facts of our present status as a denomination. He stated, we are a good church in need of church growth, expansion, evangelistic outreach, and positive-productive clergy and lay leaders who are committed to leadership development.
The General Conference (Higher Education) Banquet was held that evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Convention Center. The keynote speaker was the powerhouse attorney, Willie E. Gary. He stated the C.M.E. colleges have provided education for students who may not have had the resources to attend college. He highlighted his struggle to be accepted; and he swore to always give back to help others. In putting his belief in action, Attorney Gary donated $100,000 to the C.M.E. college fund during the banquet.
Sunday, June 25, 2006: Business Session: Bishop William H. Graves, Presiding
Bishop E. Lynn Brown delivered the sermon, The C.M.E. Church at the Edge of Greatness (Numbers 13-14). He stated that the edge of greatness happens at the intersection of opportunity and choice. Musical selections included a beautiful arrangement of Amazing Grace@ by Rev. Dewayne Golightly (harmonica) and Rev. Roderick Thompson (piano).
Bishops Reports and their Recommendations:
(1) To recognize the retirement of Bishop Marshall Gilmore, (2) To receive the request for early retirement from Bishop Charles L. Helton; (3) To recommend the election of two bishops to cover vacancies left by retiring Bishop Marshall Gilmore and Bishop Charles L. Helton; (4) To recommend that the theme From Good to Great: The Jesus Challenge be adopted for use throughout the C.M.E. Connection.; (5) To recommend that the Strategic Plan adopted by the General Conference of 2002 be adopted; (6) To recommend that the Commission on Life and Witness monitor and implement the proposed Strategic Plan to be presented at this conference; (7) To recommend the establishment of a CME Economic Development Commission to identify additional resources for our churches and colleges be appointed by the College of Bishops; (8) To recommend the creation of a Connectional Disaster Relief Agency, appointed by the College of Bishops, to assist survivors of disasters; (9) To recommend a full-time Department of Ministry to Men and that a full-time director of this department be approved by this General Conference; and (10) To recommend that the 10th Episcopal District be comprised of the regions within the nations of Nigeria, Ghana, and Liberia; and, that the regions of Jamaica and Haiti be assigned to other Bishops of the Church.
Candidates for Bishop: The Committee on Elections, chaired by Bishop Henry Williamson, certified the following candidates for Office of Bishop: Rev. Dr. Bobby Best, Rev. Dr. Thomas Brown, Sr.; Rev. Dr. Jerry Christian; Rev. Dr. Kenneth W. Carter; Rev. Dr. Julius Clay; Rev. Dr. Kenneth Elvis Jones; Rev. Dr. Eddie Jumper; Rev. Dr. Charles King; and Rev. James B. Walker.
(Election of two bishops scheduled for Wednesday, June 28, 2006)
Reports of the General Officers: (1) Dr. Tyrone Davis, General Secretary Board of Personnel Services, stated that investment strategies remain unchanged; we will continue to examine new and credible options to enhance earnings and security; C.M.E. Fire & Casualty Insurance Plan. The Master Plan has been replaced with individual plans that insulate the Board from increased concluded by announcing that plans for the 20th Anniversary Annual Convocation are underway for the September 26-29 event being held in Houston, TX ; (2) Dr. Elnora P. Hamb, President of the Women’s Missionary Council, gave her first report to the General Conference. One of the highlights was that during her tenure, $1.865 million had been raised through the Lena Jones Rice marches held during annual conferences to assist with expansion and greater focus on education.
Monday, June 25, 2006: BishopOthal Hawthorne Lakey, Presiding
Business Session: Roll Call of the Delegatesfrom each Annual Conference was first order of business. At this time, Resolutions not received early to be printed in the Blue Book of Resolutions & Proposals, were received from the floor.
It is important to note that all recommendations contained in reports and resolutions presented to the General Conference are referred to respective Standing Committee for review, edit, and finally for action by the delegation.
Report of Special Committees or Commissions: Committee to Develop a New C.M.E. Logo under the direction of the 2002 General Conference, reported there is no reason to produce a new logo at this time the Committee on a Mathematical Formula for Connectional Assessments recommendations be referred to the Standing Committee on Finance review and immediate recommendation. A recommendation from the North Central Alabama Region was received. It was recommended that effective, 2014, the General Conference shall meet in quadrennial session for 7 days between June 15 and July 15 commencing on a Thursday. The Call announcing the time and place of the session would be published in the “Christian Index” at least two years prior, by the Senior Bishop.
Dr. Joseph C. Neal, Jr.,General Secretary of Finance The Committee recommended that the title of the General Secretary of Finance be modified as General Secretary of Finance Chief Financial Officer. The delegation voted to forward the resolution for change to Bishops Compensation Packet and the Mathematical Formula on Episcopal Districts (income vs. members) assessments be forwarded to the Finance Standing Committee for further action; along with passing of the budget of the C.M.E. church. This action, of course, was not to be rushed and much discussion ensued before the budget from the Standing Committee on Finance presented one to the General Conference that was eventually accepted with a moderate increase of 5%It was voted to accept the formula (based on: (1) membership, (2) net income, (3) delegates, (4) representatives to the general connectional board as factors to be used for calculation of future apportionments (or assessments) for each church. The delegation voted no increase to the Bishops Compensation Package and General Officers salary from the amount approved in 2002.
Dr. William E. George, General Secretary of Publication Services - Highlights of the report included the C.M.E. Church Foundation and new Collins Chapel Health Center. Also highlights on the completion of the publishing house for the C.M.E. church and also announced pre-arranged transportation for conference attendees to tour the new facility.
Dr. Victor Taylor, General Secretary Lay Department - One major change for the Lay Department is the discontinuance of the Methodist Men Fellowship groups as they currently exist. Thus, it was recommended and finally voted, after much debate, to establish the Department of Ministry to Men with its own General Secretary whose responsibility will be to develop and promote, throughout the C.M.E. church, an effective Christian ministry to Lay men. Mr. Leo Pinkett of Atlanta, was elected by simple majority of the delegation, for this position.
Dr. Kenneth Jones; The Christian Index; Received an excellent report and the body voted on the recommendation that The Index receive 15% share of the fees collected from the subscriptions; the General Conference approve a nominal increase of $5,000 to the budget of the Index.
Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield, General Secretary Department of Christian Education Recommendations were presented which included renaming the department to The Department of Nurture and Formation to include a Christian Nurture and Formation annual event, to develop a Teachers Certification Program for C.M.E. Boards of Christian Education personnel, and to allocate a budget of $175,000 for the program ministry. It was voted not to change the name of the department, nor increase the budget to accommodate funds for programs.
Dr. W. C. Champion, General Secretary of Evangelism and Missions Recommendations included that churches make every effort to use materials and resources produced by the Department of Publications, to consider a conference on evangelism, church planning.
Tuesday, June 27; 2006 - Bishop E. Lynn Brown, Service of Retirement for Bishop Charles L. Helton and Senior Marshall Gilmore was a beautiful and sacred tribute to two long-time, dedicated servants to God’s church.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006– Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr. Presiding, Service of Installation for Bishop William H. Graves, Senior Bishop of the C.M.E.Church. The morning service welcomed a host of community and state government leaders, inclusive of a visit from Phil Bredesen, Governor of Tennessee.
As we moved into the afternoon and the beginning of the process for election of Bishops and General Officers, I noted this was nothing shy of a national convention; it was electrifying to witness and take part in this historic process. All details were followed without incident as we were instructed by Bishop Henry Williamson to begin the process for election of our Bishops. No one anticipated (except Pastor Morris) that it would require not one, but three ballots before the election process ended late that night. First ballot, Dr. Thomas Brown being elected the 54th Bishop with a majority of 417 votes. The second ballot decreased to 4 candidates was close and as none of the candidates received the 328 votes required for election; we were sent to the 3rd and final ballot. Rev. Kenneth W. Carter the 55th Bishop. The historic parade of the newly elected Bishops, physically elevated and carried around the ballroom by a delegation of men, was truly a sight to behold.
Following the election of Bishops Brown and Carter, Bishop Hoyt called the delegation to vote for the General Officers. Due to the lateness of the hour, we were instructed that if any of the candidates received fewer than the required votes, the process would continue Thursday morning. As several of the General Officers were unopposed, the General Conference voted to cast one unanimous vote for each unopposed officer: Attorney Juanita Bryant, Dr. William George, Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield, Dr. Joseph Neal, Dr. Tyrone Davis, and Dr. Victor Taylor. Kenneth Jones and W. C. Champion were declared elected to their respective positions.
Another highlight of this session was the announcement that Rev. Marvin Charles Thomas, pastor of Walls Memorial in Chicago (a member of the mighty thriving 3rd) would be appointed Interim Dean of Phillips School of Theology. Cheers of excitement and tears of joy filled the room.
Thursday, June 29, 2006 – Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart, Sr. Presiding Bishop., was to be installed as Chairman of the College of Bishops. Rev. Edwards preached on “So Now I Come.” He exhorted us to have a transformation experience giving God the glory and ended with the Gospel of Matthew instructing us to teach in all places, not just the church.
Friday, June 30, 2006 – Bishop Lawrence Reddick, Presiding, the business session continue with reports and recommendations. One such recommendation from the Commission on Ritual and Worship, is to develop a new C.M.E. Hymnal. Changes to the book of Ritual would include reference to liturgical colors for Epiphany Season that were not previously corrected; it was also recommended that “Holy Catholic Church” and “Communion of Saints” occurrences in the book of Ritual and in the C.M.E. Hymnal would be shown in lower case.
Young Adults of the General Conference, showed unified support and a true show of Christian love, which prompted the General Conference to take a collection which totaled $3,900 that will be placed in an escrow account to assist 10th Episcopal District delegate, Ms. Stewart Shadene, with her education at Miles College.
Saturday, July 1, 2006 – The conference business session continued with reports followed by the Service of Investiture for the Judicial Council and General Officers. The results of the Judicial Council elections: Clergy: Rev. Dr. Godwin Umoette, Rev. Roland Johnson, Rev. Phillip K. Bryant, Rev. Roy K. Reed. Lay: Barbara Boyd, Bernard Snell, Barbara Nichols, and Carter Curtis. Other orders of business from the Episcopacy Committee were to pass the Bishops character and recommend appointments: (1) Bishop William H. Graves, (2) Bishop E. Lynn Brown, (3) Bishop Paul Stewart, (4) Bishop Thomas Brown, (5) Bishop L. L. Reddick, (6) Bishop Othal Lakey, (7) Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, (8) Bishop Ronald Cunningham, (9) Bishop Henry Williamson, and (10) Bishop Kenneth Carter.
Sunday, July 2, 2006 – Bishop Ronald Cunningham, Presiding. The Service of Consecration and Commissioning was the sacred order for the morning. A powerful message was delivered by our Sr. Bishop William H. Graves that challenged us to stay focused on moving from a good church to a great church. Whatever your talent, gift, ministry….claim it, and carrying it out to the best of your ability.”
Be the best you can be, and when you come to the end of your journey….receive God’s words…”well done my good and faithful servant, well done! For me, this General Conference was truly inspiring and educational. I thank you all for allowing me to serve. God Bless you.
