June 2005 Feature Story
"Senior Bishop
Gilmore Closes 2005 General Board of High Note In Preparation for Return to
Memphis for
’06 General Conference"
The General Connectional Board of the CME Church convened May 3-5, 2005 at the Holiday Inn Select Hotel in Memphis, TN. The 1st Episcopal District, led by Bishop William H. Graves, served as hosts for this year’s Connectional Board. The meeting was chaired by Senior Bishop Marshall Gilmore, 8th Episcopal District. Tuesday afternoon’s activities began with a devotional service in which Rev. Dr. Raymond F. Williams, pastor of Brown Memorial CME Church, Louisville, KY, was the meditation preacher. The Business Session began with the roll call by Rev. DeAndre Bell, acting secretary. This was followed by the report of the Executive Secretary of the CME Church Atty. Juanita Bryant. Atty. Bryant reported her as coordinator of connectional meetings and as manager of the CME headquarters in Memphis, TN. Atty. Bryant also reported on her work as ecumenical representative at several meetings both domestically and internationally. The Executive Secretary’s report was followed by meetings of the CME standing committees with their respective general secretaries and department chairs. The evening activities included a continuation of standing committees meeting, a worship service, and the meeting of the Ministers and Laymen’s Council.
On Wednesday, May 4th, all activities of the General Board moved to the Greenwood CME Church. The morning meditation speaker was Rev. Christy Smiley, pastor of the Athens CME Church in Gadsden, AL. This was followed by the reports of the Standing Committees of the CME Church.
Evangelism and Mission. The Committee supported General Secretary
Dr. W. C. Champion’s focus on worship training in evangelism, church planting, and mission over the next five years. The committees supported prayer ministry and prayer coordinators, under the leadership of Dr. Jerome McNeil. They also recommended that pastors attend the Pastor’s conference and Evangelism and Mission training workshops; use region and district conference to train pastors and lay persons in evangelism and mission; develop criteria to qualify directors of evangelism and mission on every level of the church who love God and God’s people and who have a compassion, understanding and love for humanity and growing God’s church.
Christian Education. The standing Committee on Christian Education thanked General Secretary Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield for his dedication and commitment. They also recommended the there be a Children and Youth Workers training component in the 2006 and beyond CME Convocation schedule; the purchasing of the 2004 “Living Water” CYYAC at a cost of $40 each; that local churches utilize the CME 2005 Vacation Bible School materials; that region directors of Christian Education recommend scouting directors to their presiding bishops; and that the General Secretary expand the Christian Educators’ Council through the establishment of a Christian Education Association.
Business and Finance. The Committees recommended the approval of the report of General Secretary Dr. General Secretary Dr. Joseph C. Neal, Jr., which included (a) a commendation to the 1st and 7th Episcopal Districts in reporting all of their general funds in the first quarter of the fiscal year, (b) that as of this General Board $2,758,574 have been paid, which is significant, (c) a commendation to all Episcopal Districts for their prompt payment of General Funds. The Committee echoed the General Secretary’s commendations and encouraged all Episcopal Districts to pay General Funds early.
Personnel Services. The Committee acknowledged audits provided by General Secretary Dr. Tyrone T. Davis for the CME Retirement Plan & Trust as performed by Jones and Tuggle CPAs, and the General Board of Personnel Services as performed by Larry V. Bullock, CPA. Both reports had “unqualified” opinions and showed growth in assets and activities. The Committee recommended that the General Board receive all statements, reports, and audits. The Board also acknowledged the outstanding leadership of Chairman Senior Bishop Marshall Gilmore in his final year serving as chairman of Personnel Services for the past 19 years.
Publications. The Standing Committee received the report of General Secretary of Publications Services Dr. William E. George, which included successful and timely publication of church school literature, The Christian Index, and numerous other books and periodicals. The Publisher noted the recent acquisition of publishing equipment that places the Department of Publications on equal footing with the publishing houses of our sister denominations. The Publisher’s report also noted the financial status of the department as well as Audubon Oaks Subdivision investment property. The Committee gave Dr. George its highest commendation for service well done.
The Christian Index. The Standing Committee accepted the report of Editor Dr. Kenneth Elvis Jones with commendations because of the “exceptional production of the publication.” Recommendations from the Committee included (a) that the 2006 General Conference consider an increase in the budget of the Christian Index for upgrades in technology and preserving archived materials for future use, (b) that the editor develop a mechanism for recruiting children, youth and young adult subscribers and writers (c) continue to solicit a diversity of materials from throughout the Connection, as well as articles from the College of Bishops, and (d) facilitate greater coverage of the ministry and mission of the Church in non-U.S. territories.
The Women’s Missionary Council. Dr. Elnora P. Hamb, president of the Women’s Missionary Council, was joined at the podium by Council officers Vice President P. Ann Pegues, Missionary Messenger Editor Doris Boyd, Treasurer Emmogene Crittenden, and Asst. Secretary Daisy Banks. Secretary Donna Ford was unable to attend the General Board. Dr. Hamb gave greetings and noted her report as presented at the recently concluded Executive Board in Detroit, MI, and among the General Officers’ reports at this General Board.
Lay Ministry. The report of the General Secretary of Lay Ministry Dr. Victor Taylor included extensive preparation for the upcoming Con-nectional Lay Institute, which will be held at the conclusion of the CME Convocation, October 3-8, 2005, in Louisville, KY. The report also included a report on significant accomplishments in information technology development throughout the development throughout the church, under the leadership of the Communications, Information, and Technology Committee (CIT). The Committee recommended the General Board receive the report of the General Secretary of Lay Ministry.
Following the reports of the Standing Committees, Senior Bishop Marshall led in the installation service of the new chairman of the College of Bishops, Bishop Thomas Lanier Hoyt, Jr., 4th Episcopal District. The 48th bishop of the CME Church, Bishop Hoyt was elected at the 1994 General Conference in Memphis, TN. He came to the Episcopal office as a preacher and a distinguished scholar in theological education.
He has served on the faculty of several theological seminaries, including the Interdenominational Theological center of Atlanta, GA; Howard University School of Religion, Washington, DC; and the Hartford Seminary, Hartford, CT. Bishop Hoyt holds several degrees, including the M. Div. From ITC, S.T.M. from Duke University. He also has a Doctor of Divinity degree from Trinity College, Hartford, CT. Bishop Hoyt has written numerous articles and published several books. Presently Bishop Hoyt serves as the president of the National Council of Churches, USA.
The preacher for the Service of Holy Communion on Wednesday evening was Bishop E. Lynn Brown, 2nd Episcopal District, and outgoing chairman of the College of Bishops. Music for the evening was rendered by the 1st Episcopal District Choir. The Chief Celebrant of Holy Communion was Senior Bishop Marshall Gilmore.
The closing session of the General Connectional Board was on Thursday morning, May 5, 2005. The meditation speaker was Rev. Kevin J. Agee, pastor of Calvary CME Church, Jersey City, NJ. The business session included reports of other Committees and Commissions. Of note was a letter from Church World Services read by Bishop L. L. Reddick III, commending the Church for its contribution of nearly $140.000 for tsunami relief. Also of note was the report of the Commission on Social Justice and Human Concerns, which had recommendations on several issues of the day. Not the least of these were the abolishment of the death penalty, support for Bread for the World’s Offering of Letters, the HIV/AIDS crisis in the African American Community and the recognition of so-called “down low” sexual behavior which places African Americans at increased risk; support for “civic tithing” to aid historically black colleges and universities, and end to the war in Iraq, the preservation of social security, and the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
By Dr. Kenneth Elvis Jones, Editor