The end of October typically marks the conclusion of the set of Annual Conferences that convene in the Fall. The episcopal districts throughout the connectional African Methodist Episcopal Church divide the annual conferences along a schedule whereby half of the thedistricts hold their annual conferences in the Spring, and the second half convenes in the Fall. For those of us who have been born and raised in the AME church – the Annual Conference is an event like none other! We ‘plan our work and work our plan’ all year long, just to be able to stand on the floor and present a ‘good report’ before our brothers, sisters, colleagues and episcopal leadership who are all laboring with us in the ministry to expand the kingdom of God on this side of heaven!
I thought it might be helpful to share some history of the Annual Conference as a reminder of its significance to AME’s and all Methodists who share a doctrinal heritage with John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. The first Methodist Conference was convened by John Wesley in 1744 in London, England, when 6 clergy and 4 lay preachers met to answer 3 questions about the future of Methodism:
1. What should we teach?
2. How should we teach?
3. What should we do?
1. What should we teach?
2. How should we teach?
3. What should we do?
In 1744 the first Methodists in England began sorting out their future, with the careful guidance of John Wesley. The first conference was the vehicle they used to clarify their theology and map out an effective strategy of disciple making. From that day forward some sort of annual conference has continued across Methodism.
The first Methodist preachers arrived in North America in the 1760’s, however the first Methodist conference in North America did not convene until 1773. The first conference that inaugurated Methodism in North America was held in St. George’s Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ( YES, the same St. George’s that was the launch pad for African Methodism!) July 14-16, 1773. Methodists in America followed the British precedent set by Wesley and held annual conferences every year after 1773 –even when the Revolutionary War strained communication and personnel.
1784 is an important year for American Methodism in general, and for African Methodists in the AME Church. It was the year that Richard Allen received his license to preach from St. George’s Methodist Church in Philadelphia, and it was the year that an independent Methodist Church was organized after the former North American colonies won their independence from England. John Wesley’s decision to sanction the inauguration of a new church in America was not without controversy, but the end result is that he sent a personal letter, ordained clergy, and a book to be used during worship called, The Sunday Service of the Methodists in North America to assist with the building up of the new church. The letter from Wesley was read – and the men and the book were introduced during the famous Christmas Conference, which began on Friday, December 24, 1784 in the Lovely Lane Methodist Chapel, Baltimore, Maryland. As a newly licensed preacher, Richard Allen was present at this organizing conference, although he would find it necessary to leave and found a separate denomination where persons of African descent would be able to worship freely without the hindrance of racial insult.
Allen loved the conference system of Methodism and as soon as the AME church became legally incorporated in 1816, a conference was called. Allen writes, “Many of the coloured people, in other places, were in a situation nearly like those of Philadelphia and Baltimore, which introduced us, last April, to call a general meeting, by way of conference.”[1] The first Annual conference of the AME Church was held in Philadelphia in April 1816. Delegates from Baltimore, Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wilmington, Delaware, Attleborough, Pennsylvania and Salem, New Jersey were present. Daniel Coker served as Chairman, and Richard Allen, Jr., a young man of fourteen, who was elected Secretary by virtue of his literacy and ability to write. Although this first AME Church conference elected Daniel Coker as the first bishop of the church, after more conciliar deliberation Coker withdrew, and Richard Allen was eventually elected and consecrated by the imposition of the hands of five ordained Elders, among which was Absalom Jones, the first African American ordained priest in the Episcopal Church of North America.
AME’s understand that the Annual Conference can be demanding, stressful events that may conclude with disappointment. However, there is one moment in which all persons, clergy, laity, members and visitors unite in gratitude and praise. That is the moment during the Opening Worship Service when the hymn “ AND ARE WE YET ALIVE” is sung. "“ AND ARE WE YET ALIVE " first appeared in the Wesleys' 1749 hymnal, Hymns And Sacred Poems. In 1780 John included it in his A Collection of Hymns for the Use of the People Called Methodist as the first hymn in the section titled "For the Society . . . at meeting." John Wesley himself, began the custom of opening the annual meeting of Methodists by singing this hymn. The practice was picked up by Methodists around the world, and it largely continues today.
REFERENCES
Allen, Richard. The First Edition of the Discipline of African Methodist Episcopal Church. With historical preface by C.M. Tanner, D.D. Third printing ( Nashville, AMEC Sunday School Union, 1985).
Bucke, Emory S. ed. The History of American Methodism, Vol. I ( Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1964).
Meeks, Douglas The Future of Methodist Theological Traditions (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1985).
Singleton, George A. The Romance of African Methodism: A Study of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (Nashville; AME Press, 1985).
United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship website. http://www.gbod.org/site/apps/nlnet/concipketent3.aspx?=nhLRJ2PMKsG&b=5594997&ct=7591979
Accessed October 31, 2011.
