Senior Bishop Gilmore, my renowned and erudite chairman, Bishop Lakey, members of the College of Bishops, General Officers, Judicial Council, College Presidents, Institutional Heads, Connectional Officers and Directors of Connectional Ministries, Members of the General Connectional Board and members and friends of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.  I greet you in the name of the one who saves us from our sins, Jesus the Christ!  I am honored, humbled and pleased to make my first Annual Report as General Secretary of the Department of Christian Education. 

            Chapter 54 of the Book of Discipline of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church states that, “the purpose of the Division of General Christian Education is to provide opportunities for educational ministry to the various agencies, boards, departments and age groupings of the church, to promote Christian nurture, growth, and development at all levels.” 

                The 2002 General Conference mandated the following for the department:

1. That the Connectional Youth and Young Adult Conference be changed to the Connectional Youth Conference, which is to take place every 2 years. The Connectional Young Adults are to meet every year in a Connectional Young Adult Retreat or Leadership Institute and every four years as a Young Adult Conference.

2. That Youth Councils be developed and supported in each Annual Conference. This council is to be charged with the responsibility of providing valuable input into planning youth ministry and youth ministry activities.

3. That the Department of Christian Education develops new emphasis, strategies, approaches and resource materials to assist the church in the thrust to become renewed.

4. That the promotion of all CME colleges and schools be initiated through the General Department of Christian Education; that the General Department of Christian Education will advance the cause of higher education throughout the church by encouraging the development and promotion of a CME Colleges and Schools Day and by designing a mechanism for the distribution and the promotion of materials designed to increase the awareness and appreciation of CME schools.

5. That the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church through its program of Christian Education at every level provide teaching and training opportunities for members to discover, develop and implore their Spiritual Gifts.  That the curriculum for this teaching and training be developed by the General Department of Christian Education.

6. That every local church CYF make at least one outreach ministry project one of its major objectives annually.

7. That the General Secretary of Christian Education develops a plan for conducting Christian education focus groups across the CME Connection. These focus groups are to be composed of children, youth, young adults, and other adults of the church. These focus groups would provide an opportunity for professional Christian educators to hear the concerns and issues facing our youth in today’s world.

8. That the General Department of Christian Education be given permission to develop contemporary liturgies, litanies, etc. for use across the Connection, and the same be recommended for approval by succeeding General Connectional Boards.

9. That the Companions in Christ small-group ministry program become a continuing project of the CME Connection, with the Department of Christian Education taking responsibility for training and dissemination of information.

10. That the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church continue to partner with the American Bible Society in support of and participation in the ForMinistry.Com free website ministry. Recognizing that eventually each Episcopal District, Annual Conference, Presiding Elder’s District, and local congregation will be able to engage in online paperless data reporting.

                As General Secretary, I see the expanded mission of the department as making disciples through events that form and transform.    Thus the department has set as a goal 100,000 new disciples over the next quadrennial. 

·         That Christian Youth Fellowships within each local congregation establish one mission project per year

·         Annual Young Adult Retreats and/or Leadership Institutes

·         Separate Youth Conferences to be held every two years

·         Development of Leadership Curriculum –  (2003 – 2006)

·         Development and implementation of liturgical resources

·         Small Group Ministry – e.g., Companions in Christ, Spiritual Formation, Covenant Disciple Groups

·         Regional Christian Education Seminars and Focus Groups

·         Heightened Awareness of Wesleyan Heritage and Application in the 21^st Century

·         2004 Youth and Young Adult Conference

·         Continued Development of Resources for Local Congregations

·         Managing and Editing Sunday School Curriculum

·         Development of Department Web Page

August 2002           

Organization and Transition period

            General Secretary and Staff attend Birmingham Annual Conference

Worked on Convocation Curriculum; Assisted Bishop Ronald Cunningham as Director of Curriculum

September 2002 

            Preparation for Convocation

Attended the Inaugural Service of Dr. Billy Hawkins, President of Texas College

Conducted Workshop: “Christian Education in the Local Church” at Moody Chapel C.M.E. Church for South Memphis District

Conducted Convocation site visit and met with local committee meeting in Milwaukee

October 2002   

Served as Director of Curriculum for 16^th Annual Convocation

Appointed as official Director of Curriculum of the 17^th Annual Convocation

Met with Upper Room Staff regarding Companions in Christ Partnership; discussed other resources which the Department would be promoting over the next four years.  New purchases of the material will result in income to the Department of Christian Education

Met with Rhonda Cantrell Dunn, Connectional Scouting Director in Nashville, Tennessee

General Secretary and Staff outlined the work of the Department for the ensuing year.  Reorganized the office and determined needs, including staff, equipment and dollars.  Prepared department operational budget and budget for the 2004 Connectional Youth and Young Adult Conference.

Conducted Sunday School Workshop: “Discipleship and Sunday School” at Greenwood C.M.E., Memphis, Tennessee

November 2002

Completed 2003 Connectional Youth and Young Adult Kit and Revision of C.Y.F. Guide

Staff prepared, edited, compiled and distributed approximately 200 Connectional Youth and Young Adult Week kits to local congregations

 Assigned work on Black History Kit to Connectional Young Adults

Attended National Council of Churches of Christ General Assembly in Tampa, Florida as delegate

Conducted site visit at Sheraton Four Seasons and Joseph Koury Convention Center in Greensboro.  Met with Hotel Convention Services and Greensboro Convention Bureau.

Took active role in managing and editing SS curriculum; beginning with Spring 2003 quarter

December 2002

 General Secretary and Staff attended Northern and Southern Mid-Winter Council Meeting in Los Angeles; distributed resources and conducted focus group about General Secretary’s Vision for Christian Education. 

Attended S.E. Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin Mid-Winter Council Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.  Conducted focus group meeting with Christian Educators about General Secretary’s Vision for Christian Education

Completed distribution of Connectional Youth and Young Adult Kits. 

Department sponsored two delegates to attend the Young Adult Pan Methodist Meeting in Albuquerque, NM

Began work on curriculum for 17^th Annual Convocation

January 2003

Attended Pastor’s Conference in Atlanta, GA and Philips School of Theology, Board of Trustee Meeting

Attended General Officers Meeting

Attended and participated in Educational Leadership Commission Program Board Meeting (NCC) in Daytona, Florida 

Conducted Focus Group Meeting with Christian Educators about General Secretary’s Vision for Christian Education

Convened and conducted Connectional Director’s Consultation in Orlando, Florida; hosted by Rev. Frederick Zak and Carter Tabernacle C.M.E. Church

Attended RCMA Conference in Charlotte, NC

Completed and attempted distribution of Black History Guide

February 2003

Conducted Sunday School workshop at Memphis District “The One Room Sunday School Class” and “It Takes a Village”

Conducted Christian Education workshop in Tyler, Texas “Ministry Beyond the Walls”

Attended National Pastors Conference in San Diego, CA and conducted workshop at Phillips Temple in San Diego “Christian Education in the Local Church” and “Christian Education In Action”

Worked on Convocation Curriculum

Ongoing Planning of 2004 Connectional Youth and Young Adult Conference

Attended Lane College Board of Trustee Meeting

March 2003

Completed Curriculum outline, theme rationale and description of recommended courses for 17^th Annual CME Convocation.  Met with Director of Convocation to discuss Curriculum

Staff conducted workshop: “Christian Education in the local Church” Mt. Olive Memphis, TN

Attended Miles College Board of Trustee Meeting

Held Youth Conference AD-Hoc Committee Meeting in Memphis, TN -- discussed ideas and evaluated past conference

Attended First Episcopal District Spring Convocation – gave presentation on “General Secretary’s Vision for Christian Education

Attended NCC Committee on Uniform Series Meeting – preparing SS outlines for year 2006-2007; the General Secretary was elected Chair of Cycle Planning Committee for 2010-2016 Lessons. These are the outlines from the International Lesson Series and where Sunday School Lessons are written and used

Attended Central Georgia Regional Conference Workshop – conducted seminar “Christian Education In Action”

Conducted workshop Trinity C.M.E. Church Memphis, TN.  “Retaining members and Retraining Membership in a way that leads to Discipleship.” 

Continued planning for Connectional Youth and Young Adult Conference

Considered resources to be developed for the remainder of Christian Calendar year

Staff made Youth and Young Adult Conference 2004 presentation to Birmingham District Christian Educators

April 2003

Conducted Christian Education workshop for the East District of the Arkansas Region “Christian Education in the Local Church and Christian Education in Action”

Attended Paine College Board Meeting

Met with Fred Allen, United Methodist Church to develop resource for Vacation Bible School 2003 “Under the Baobab Tree”

Worked on Youth Conference

Conducted Site Visit at Greensboro and held first meeting with Bishop Helton and Host Committee

Summary

The work of the department to date has been both challenging and rewarding.  I have had the pleasure of traveling to different regions of the church and met dedicated and committed Christian Educators at every stop.  I have had the opportunity to learn in many venues since taking office.  Every workshop has brought me new knowledge and awareness of the ministry of Christian Education.  People have been responsive and eager to share and listen as we dialogued about my passion, “Christian Education.”  I have had the privilege of being invited to preach on several occasions and always it has been a time of great worship and fellowship, not to mention good food.  I have had the opportunity to participate in ecumenical venues where I have learned how others are doing Christian Education.  I have had the pleasure of being in the company of Episcopal leaders who have taught me much about ministry in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.  I have worshipped in many places over the last ten months and in every place I have experienced the presence of God.  As momentum begins to pick up in preparation for the 2004 Youth and Young Adult Conference I am looking forward with great anticipation to even greater learning opportunities in the days, weeks and months ahead. 

New and Ongoing Responsibilities

·         Convocation Curriculum

·         Connectional Ministries

·         Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, Family Ministry, Adult Ministry, Scouting Ministry, Leadership Development

·         Resources:

·         Youth and Young Adult Kit, Revised CYF Guide, 2003 Black History Guide, National Family Week Resource, Scouting Handbook

·         Sunday School Curriculum

·         Distribution of Ministerial Scholarships

·         Workshops

·         Travel

·         Focus Groups

Responsibilities (cont.)

·         CUS

·         General Board of NCC

·         Ministries in Christian Education

·         Department of Christian Education Website

·         Board Representation

·         Ecumenical Involvement

·         Upper Room Ministries – Companions in Christ

Moving Forward Into the Future….

·         2004 Youth and Young Adult Conference

·         2007, 2009, 2011 Youth Conferences

·         Annual Young Adult Retreats

·         Youth Mission Projects

·         2008 and 2012  Young Adult Conferences

·         Children’s Ministry Consultations

·         Regional Focus Groups

·         Revision of Ministerial  Course of Study in Consultation with College of Bishops

·         Workshops and Seminars

·         Continued Development of Web Page

·         Resources

o        Pamphlets :  Baptism, Lord’s Supper, Articles of Religion

o        Student Recognition Day

o        Revised Guide for Local Boards of Christian Education with emphasis on Small Membership Churches

o        Revised Wondrous Grace

o        Handbooks for Youth, Young Adult, Family and Adult Ministries

o        Leadership Tract Resource

o        Children’s Quarterly Newsletter

o        What Every Teacher Should Know

o        VBS

o        New Disciple Handbook

o        Lenten Devotional

o        Advent Devotional

o        Book of Litanies and Prayers

o        Leadership Development Handbook

o        Electronic Resources

I consider it an honor and privilege to serve as the General Secretary of the Department of Christian Education of the Christian Methodist Episcopal church.  The honor is enlarged because I succeeded the now Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham, my friend and mentor.  As I prod through the offices of the department I see his signature on so much of the work of the past and how it gives direction to the work of the future. 

I am thankful for my wife, Mrs. Cora Crutchfield, who has been supportive of the ministry God has given me.  I am thankful to my children Chris and Chanel, who motivate me with their very lives.  I thank my mother, Zora Crutchfield and my late Father, William T. Crutchfield, who provided for me the first twenty two years of my life, and have provided encouragement my entire life.

I am thankful for the members of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church who elected me and has afforded me various opportunities to provide educational ministry throughout the connection.  As I have had the opportunity to move about teaching and preaching, I have been affirmed in my belief about the hunger for Christian Education in the local church. 

I am thankful for the Episcopal leadership of the church for being so open in allowing me to come into the various Districts and provide educational ministry.  I am particularly happy that I have the opportunity to hold focus groups in some districts as the Bishops made room for me on their agendas. 

I am especially thankful for my chairman, Bishop Othal H. Lakey, who has provided wise council and tremendous support.  He continues to provide an example for Christian Educators throughout the church as he lectures, preaches and teaches in various venues.

I am thankful for my colleagues for all of their support.  I give special thanks to Dr. William E. George for his continued success in delivering Sunday School products on a timely basis.  I give special thanks to Dr. Joe Neal for his timely response to our financial requests.  I give special thanks to my General Officer classmate, Rev. Tyrone Davis for his support of the department as we labor as next door neighbors on the third floor of the headquarters.

Finally, I am thankful to those who work day to day in the work of the department.  My executive assistant, Rev. Willa Ross, has been most efficient and helpful in seeing the work through.  Ms. Reba Poe has been able to supply valuable support on a part time basis.  All of the volunteers who serve in many facets are appreciated without measure.

I am committed as General Secretary of the Department of Christian Education to carry out the mandates of the church and the objectives that the Department has set forth. The work is challenging but possible because of the God we serve.   I am confident that the Lord will provide the necessary resources as we go about the business of Christian Education, making disciples through events that form and transform.