The Bishop's Word

We feel great gratitude to God as we gather in the 2003 series of Annual Conferences. God has been kind and good to all of us, and one of the finest ways to express our thanks is through the quality of our ministry, mission, and service in His name.

The opportunity to complete my ministry as an Active Bishop serving the Eleventh Episcopal District is both a blessing and a challenge. It is a joy to offer leadership to a great people with unlimited capacity to serve as we apply the meaning of the Christ Event and Allen Legacy to the needs of our people and society.

The standard and traditional financial and program responsibilities are well known. Budget, Retirement, Papers and Offerings appropriate to support the Conference are standard. Ministry, Missions, Laity, Youth, Men and Women are part of the Conference format. These are the resources and structures which brought us to this day. We seek to strengthen and enrich what we have and have been doing.

God now calls the sons and daughters of Allen, especially those of us in the Eleventh Episcopal District, to serve the people in Christ's name in new different, better and contemporary ways. As God reveals, unfolds, and confirms what we ought to be about, I urge you to join us m this ministry, mission and service to the present age.

Meanwhile, we have in motion these efforts to help ourselves to be ready when the vision and power from on high come.

1. Exclusive Task of the Church
    a. Evangelism. The growth of the church and development in the church.
    b. Christian Education The training for discipleship and training for membership in the A.M.E. Church.
    c. Theological Education The preparation of leadership.
    d. Church Growth and Expansion. A cooperative and focused plan m selected target areas where there are people and potential. We ought to be in the "Pathway of Growth."

2. The designation of a special group or Task Force to seek the clearest understanding of our District, and the development of the appropriate ministries and programs to serve its needs in at least three steps:

    a. Research
    b. Strategic Plan
    c. Evaluation

The following projects are already underway:
    a. Restructure
    b. Redistribution
    c. Growth Strategy
    d. Good Health
    e. Technology and Faith
    f.  Disaster Response
    g. Social Justice
    h. Local Church Renewal
    i. Sons of Allen - A Strong Men's Ministry
    J. Renewal In Retreat

3. The development of a new and strong Edward Waters College and the Theological Education emphasis is producing a new generation of trained clergy.

4. The coordination of the eight Boards of Examiners to standardize and enrich the study and process of becoming a minister in the A.M.E. Church.

5. The format of our Episcopal District and Annual Conference Meetings to include Clergy, Lay, Missionary, and Youth training, leadership development, and this year we get ready for the General Conference.

6. The empowerment of Episcopal District Organizations to grow strong in Membership, Stewardship, Faith and Works.

7. The continuous progress of the Eleventh Episcopal District as we enact our title - "Electrifying Eleventh." We did our work here
with large and long dreams. The struggle of our faith and our people continues. Let each one of us do our very best, and then we can trust God for the rest.

Peace, Power, and Love

John Hurst Adams, Senior Bishop
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Presiding Bishop
Eleventh Episcopal District

Last modified: Saturday, November 18, 2006