Accession
Accession: Apersonwhouniteswithalocalcongregation.
ACE League
THEALLENCHRISTIANEVANGELICALLEAGUE (ACELEAGUE)
TheAllenChristianEvangelicalLeague(ACELeague)shallbean evangelisminitiativeandserveundertheauspicesoftheDepartmentof ChurchGrowthandDevelopment.
a)TheACELeagueisopentomenandwomenofallages,both clergyandlaity.ThepurposeoftheACELeagueistoengageinstreet ministry, media campaign ministries, and revival sessions in the communitieswiththemainaimbeingtoinvolvetheconstituentsofthe AfricanMethodistEpiscopalChurchinChristianevangelism.mobilizedfor socialaction.
b) The ACE League is committed to equip and develop ACE League members in the skill of prayer, personal evangelism, Christian stewardship,andChristianspiritualandsocialservices.TheACELeague willberecognizedonalllevels.
TheACELeaguewillteachthemembersoftheACELeague,thehistory, aims,andbeliefsoftheAfricanMethodistEpiscopalChurchandsetaside adayofremembranceonthesecondSundayinFebruaryofeachyearin honorofourfounders.
c)TheACELeaguewilldevelopmenandwomenintoleadersand rolemodelsfortheyouthofthechurch,especiallyinareasofChristian worship,Bibleandsong.
TheACELeaguewillengageinpreaching,feedinghungrysouls and mission work throughout world for the purpose of securing and erectingsuitablehousesofworshipandcreatingnewAfricanMethodist EpiscopalChurchcongregations,thusencouragingchurchgrowth.
AME, INC
21.Reports
TheTrusteesofAME,Inc.shallmakeaquadrennialreporttotheGeneral Conferencewhichshallincludeasummary,withoutspecificdetail,ofthe numbers of matters addressed, assets liquidated and other pertinent information to give the Church aviewofitsactivity.Wherethereare personnel,orproprietaryandothermatterswhichwarrantanonymity,the reportshallexcludeidentifyingmarkers.Inaddition,AME,Inc.shallsubmit totheCouncilofBishopsandtheCommissiononStatisticsandFinance oftheGeneralBoardanannualauditandaninventoryofallreal and financialassetsoftheChurchhelddirectly,orcontrolled,byAME,Inc.Such information shall be kept confidential and used by those entities to observetheactivityofthecorporation
Abandoned Property
D.AbandonedProperty
If any church property is abandoned in consequence of the disbandingofthesociety,thetitleofsaidpropertyshallbevestedin theAnnualConferenceinwhichitislocated.Saidpropertyshallbesold bytheAnnualConferenceTrusteesandtheproceedsdepositedinthe AnnualConferencetreasury,tobeusedformissionworkandchurch extensionintheconferenceinwhichsaidpropertyislocated.Thefunds shallbedisbursedbythedirection of the conference committee on church extension, with the approval of the Annual Conference. In addition;paymentofconferenceassessmentanddues,Connectionand EpiscopalAssessmentswilldissolveforthelocaldistrict.UponAnnual Conferenceapprovalofthelocalchurchclosure,theConnectionand Episcopal assessment shall be referred to the Presiding Bishop for redistribution of assessment throughout the Episcopal District. A duplicaterecordofthetransactionshallbedepositedwiththeGeneral SecretaryoftheAfricanMethodistEpiscopalChurch.
7.Meetings
a.The Global Development Council will hold Biennial GeneralAssemblyinthemonthofFebruaryinthesecondyearafterthe General Conference The senior Bishop serving in the Global DevelopmentCouncilshallcallfortheBiennialGeneralAssemblynot laterthanFebruary25,2026.
b.TheGlobalDevelopmentCouncilExecutiveBoardshall meetatleastannuallyinthemonthofFebruarynotlaterthan25th.
c. Theexpensesofmembersattendingmeetings(Biennial orExecutiveBoardMeetings)oftheGlobalDevelopmentCouncilshall bebornebytherespectiveEpiscopalDistricts.
D.RetiredElders
When a pastor superannuates froman annual conference, that pastorwillbeallowedtorequestplacementonanAnnualConferenceroll towheretheyaremovingaslongastheretiringbishopandthereceiving bishopagree.Anappropriatecertificatewillbepresentedtotheretiree honoringtherequestandshallbereceivedbythereceivingbishopand name placed on that annual conference roll under “superannuate preacher.”
Standing Commissions
b. EvaluatethePerformanceandprovideoversightofGeneralOfficers andChurchDepartments
1)The Standing Commissions shall review theaudit,efficiency,andprogramofthe departmentsoftheChurch.
2)Theyshoulddevelopquestionnairesandachecklistsystemfor evaluatingtheeffectivenessoftheprograminreferencetothe moneyallocated.
c. SubmitReportstotheGeneralBoard
The General Board will receive the reports of the Standing Commissions.
d. WorkYearRound
Commissionmembersshouldworkyearround.
e. GeneralOfficersshallmakeaverbalandwrittenreporttotheirCommissionwhich willinclude:
Decisionsmadewhichimpactthemissionandgoalsofthe department Departmentbudgetwouldshowspendingandbalances
Certifiedauditofthedepartment
Goals,concernsandrecommendationforthecomingyear Commissionshallrespondtothereportofthegeneralofficer Commissionshallrespondtoanyrecommendationsorconcerns oftheaudit
Commissionsaretoapproveorrejectrecommendationsfromthe generalofficerandreportthesametotheGeneralBoard
Eachcollege,university,seminaryandschoolmustthroughits boardchairpersonorPresidentsubmitareporttoitsCommission, includingaccreditationstatusandfinances.
2}Meetings
a. ThestandingCommissionshallhavetwooptionsforitsgeneral meeting.
I.one(1)daypriortotheopeningofthegeneralboardatthesite ofthemeeting.
Trustee Nominations
d).Thepastorshallnominatethenumberoftrusteestobe electedandmaynominateuptotwicethenumbertobe elected.Saidnomineesshallhavegivenconsentinwriting fortheirnamestobeplacedinnomination.Ifthepastor nominatesfewerthantwicethenumbertobeelected,the pastorshallacceptnominationsfromthefloor,butthe total number of nominees shall not exceed twice the numbertobeelected.Personsnominatedfromthefloor mustbepresenttoacceptthenominationorshallhave previouslyconsentedinwritingtobenominated.Ifthere arenonominationsfromthefloor,orifthetotalnumber ofnomineesislessthantwicethenumbertobeelected, theelectionshallproceedwiththosecandidateswhohave beendulynominated.
Executive Director of DRS
7.ExecutiveDirectoroftheDepartmentofRetirementServices
a. The Executive Director of The Department of Retirement Services is the chiefadministrative officer of the Department of Retirement ServicesandaGeneralOfficeroftheAfricanMethodistEpiscopalChurch.The ExecutiveDirectorisamenabletotheCouncilofBishopsandtheGeneralBoard duringtheinterimoftheGeneralConference. The Executive Director ofthe DepartmentofRetirementServicesisexofficioamemberoftheGeneralBoard andsitswiththeBoardatitsmeetingswiththerightofthefloor,butwithout theprivilegeofvoting.
b.The Executive Director oversees, directs, and manages the MinisterialRetirementProgramoftheAMEChurchandisresponsibleforthe operation of the retirement and hospitalization coverage for the salaried servants of the AME Church. In addition, the Executive Director administers insurance coverage for all salaried employees ofthe AMEChurch, bishops, ministers, and general officers. The Executive Director is bondedfor such amountsasdirectedbytheGeneralConference.
c. Specific responsibilities of the Executive Director for administrationoftheDepartmentofRetirementServices,include,butarenot limitedto,thefollowing:
1) Employment and supervision of personnel of the Department of Retirement Services, including providing direction and delegatingspecificresponsibilityandappropriateauthority,wherenecessary.
2) Administering the Retirement Program for the salaried servants of the AME Church, includingallbishops, generalofficers, college presidents, deans ofthe theologicalseminaries, itinerant elders andsalaried personneloftheConnectionaldepartmentsoftheAMEChurchhospitals,church schoolsandcolleges,andemployeesoflocalchurches.
3)Maintainingrecordsofcontributionspaidbyoronbehalf ofMinisterialRetirementProgramparticipants.
4) Reporting to each quadrennial session of the General ConferencethefinancialtransactionsoftheGeneralBoardforthepreceding quadrennium.
5)Preparingproposedbudgetsfortheensuingquadrennium forapprovalbytheGeneralConference.
6) Submitting to members of the General Board annually, one(1)monthinadvanceofitsannualboardmeeting,areportofreceiptsand disbursementsforthepreviousyearandanannualbudgetfortheensuingyear.
7)Maintainingrecordsforanyandallmoniesandfundsthat arepaidoutoftheDepartmentof Retirement Services or that come into the handsoftheDepartment.
8) Issuing a full and correct accounting andreport of all moniesreceivedbyandpaidoutbytheDepartmentofRetirementServicesas principal,wheneversuchreportandaccountingisorderedandrequiredbythe GeneralBoard.
9) Communicating with insurers and investment entities regardingfinancialactivitiesandreturnsoninvestments.
10) Communicating with participants in the Retirement Programregardingeligibility,withdrawaland/orparticipationintheRetirement Program,andensuringthatparticipantshaveaccesstoaccurateaccountbalances.
11) Such additional responsibilities as may be assigned by GeneralBoard.
Department of Retirement Services
A.DepartmentofRetirementServices
1.ExecutiveDirector
a.There shall be a Department of Retirement Services administeredbytheExecutiveDirectorofthedepartment,who isan electedGeneralOfficerresponsibleforgivingoversighttotheprograms of the Church operated for the retirement security of the salaried personneloftheChurch.
b.Incaseofavacancy,orincaseatanytimetheExecutive Directorbefoundincapable,unableorunworthyofcontinuinginoffice, theGeneralBoardshallhavethepower,afterthorough investigation and proof, to declare the office vacantbythree-fourths(3/4)voteof theGeneralBoardandtwothirds(2/3)voteoftheCouncilofBishops.A successor shall be elected according to the established rules of the Church.
2.DutiesandResponsibilities
a.MinisterialAnnuitiesPlan
1) TheDepartmentofRetirementServicesshalldirect theMinisterialAnnuityPlanoftheAfricanMethod-istEpiscopalChurch, asdirectedbytheGeneralBoard.
2)TheCommissiononRetirementServicesoftheGeneral Boardshallserveasthetrustcommitteefortheannuitycoverageforthe AMEChurch.
3)TheDepartmentofRetirementServicesshallnotreceive AnnuityPlancontributionsfromparticipantsafterNovember1,2022.
4)AlleligibleandenrolledparticipantsintheAMEChurch Ministerial Retirement Plan,uponofficial retirement orseparation from activeservice,shallbeeligibletoreceivethetotalamountoffundsvested intheirpersonalannuityaccount,plusaccruedinterest,irrespectiveoftheir yearsofactiveservice, subject to applicablelawandpendinglitigation.
5)The Department of Retirement Services shall provide each participant with aquarterly statement of their respective ministerial annuity account, to include allcontributions credited, accruedinterestearnedandendingaccountbalancefortherespective quarters.Saidquarterlystatementsshallbedistributedwithinthirty(30) daysafterthecloseofeachcalendarquarter,endingMarch31,June30, September30,andDecember31ofeachyear.
6)Thepersonalaccountsofalleligibleandofficially enrolledparticipantsintheAMEChurchMinisterialRetirementPlanshall bebecomevested(owned)inaccordancewiththeRetirementPlan Document(s).Alldisbursementsshallbesubjecttoanytaxwithholdings requiredbylaw.
7)Anyinterest,dividends,earnings,orfundsofanykind generatedfromcontributionsbyoronbehalfofparticipants shallbe appliedexclusivelytoparticipant accounts.
b.NewLifePersonalInvestmentPlanforServiceonorafter 11/01/2022
1)TheCommissiononRetirementServicesoftheGeneral Boardshallserveasthetrustcommitteetoreviewtheprogressofthe NewLifePersonalInvestmentPlanandensurethatparticipantsare meetingthetermsofthisDoctrine.
2)EligibilityTypesandRequirements:TheDepartmentof RetirementServicesshalldirecttheNewLifePersonalInvestmentPlanon behalf of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, as directed by the General Board. The following types of salaried personnel of the AME Churchshallbeeligibleparticipantsinthisplanprovidedtheymeetthe requirements:
(
a)Types:
1.Bishops
2.Generalofficers
3.CollegePresidents
4.Deansoftheologicalseminaries
5.Ordaineditinerantpastorsand
6.Otherpersonnel:
(a)Salariedpersonneloftheconnectionaldepartments oftheAMEChurch,includingourhospitals,churchschoolsandcolleges.
(b)Full-timeemployeesoftheLocalchurchesmayelect toparticipate.
(b)Requirements
1.Theemployeeisdeemedtoworkfull-time,whichis definedasoneworkingaminimumoftwenty(20)hoursperweekona continualandconsistentbasis.
2.Thepastorandtheboardofstewardsmustconfirm thisstatus.
3.ResideintheUnitedStates
3)Participation:
a)Mandatory:Allbishops,generalofficers,andordaineditinerant pastorsmustenrollandparticipateinthePlan.
b)Optional:Collegepresidents/deansoftheologicalseminaries, salaried personnel of the connectional departments of the AME Church,includingourhospitals,churchschoolsandcolleges,andfulltimeemployeesofthelocalchurchesmayelecttoparticipateinthe Plan.
c)EnrollmentApplication:Applicationstoenrollintheplanmust be submitted to the District Representative. The District Representative is responsible to confirm that the participant is eligible for the plan by signing the application, then forward the applicationtotheDepartmentofRetirementServicestobeentered intotherecordkeeper’sapplication.
4)Contributions:PlanContributionsshallbemadebythe 10thofthemonthfollowingthemonththatthecontributionswere collected.
a)ContributionTypes:
1. Mandatory Contributions: The required minimum contributionamountforeachenrolledclergyparticipantearning$5,200 or more per year shall be twelve percent (12%) of annual salary. The requiredminimumcontributionforpersonsearninglessthan$5,200shall be$624.00.Halfoftheminimumcontributionshallbepaidpriortothe AnnualConferenceandhalfpriortotheMid-YearConvocation.
2. Connectional Contributions: For ordained persons receiving an appointment to apastoral charge (b. 2) a) 5. above), a ConnectionalContributionshallbemadetotheiraccountsonceayear.If theMandatoryContributionwasnotmadefortheparticipant,thenthey are ineligibility for this contribution. The Treasurer’s Office shall determinetheamounttobeallocatedannually.Theallocationisbasedon participantswhowereactiveonDecember1.Theamounttobeallocated isbasedon13xaparticipant’syearsofserviceplus2xtheparticipant’s age. The service and age are determined as of January 1 of the contributionyear.Thiscontributionshallbedistributedtoeachaccount byDecember20thofeachyear.3.Optional Participant Contributions: Participants are permitted to contributeadditionalamountsfromtheir annualsalary.Thesecontributionsmustbeasalarydeferral and can be provided on a before-tax, Roth or after-tax basis. TheIRSlimitswillbe appliedtothesecontributions.
b)ContributionCollection:
1. ForItinerantelders andallotherordained persons receivinganappointmenttopastoralcharge: Thelocalchurchor other entity responsible for paying theparticipant’ssalaryshallsubmitthe retirementcontributionstotheDistrictRepresentativespriortotheAnnual ConferenceandMid-Yearmeetings.
2.For Bishops, Generalofficers, College Presidents, and Deans of theological seminaries: The Treasurer’s office District Representativesshallcollectthecontributions.
3.Salariedpersonneloftheconnectionaldepartmentsof theAMEChurch,includingourhospitals,churchschoolsandcollegesand full-timeemployeesoftheLocalchurches whoelect toparticipate: The DistrictRepresentativeshallcollectthecontributionspriortotheAnnual ConferenceandMid-Yearmeetings,eveniftheparticipantisnotpart ofthesemeetings.
5) Participants have the option to self-direct the investmentsintheiraccount.Ifnoelectionismade,participantswillbe defaultedintotheprovider’sdefaultinvestmentallocation.
a)Whenexercisingthisoption,theparticipant assumesfullresponsibilityfortheinvestmentdecisionssubsequently madeandtheperformanceofthechoseninvestmentproducts.
b)Eachparticipantelectingtoself-directmust submittheirinvestmentallocationthroughtherecordkeeper’sonline application.
6)Allbishops,generalofficers,collegepresidents/deans oftheologicalseminaries,itinerantelders andallotherordainedpersons
receivinganappointmenttoapastoralcharge,mustenrollandparticipate inthePlan.
7)ParticipantsintheNewLifePersonalInvestmentPlan whohaveseparatedfromservice,eitherthroughretirementorforother reasons,areeligibletotakeadistributionfromtheplan.Iftheirfundsare over$10,000,theycanleavetheirfundsintheplanandelecttoreceive monthlydistributionsthatareintendedtopayoutovertheirlifetime.The accountwillcontinuetobeinvestedthroughtheparticipant’selection,or ifnone,thedefaultinvestmentelection.
8) The New Life Personal Investment Plan recordkeepershallprovideeachparticipantwithaquarterlystatement of their respective account, to include all contributions credited, investmentearnings,anydistributionsandendingaccountbalancefor therespective quarters. Said quarterly statements shallbedistributed within thirty (30)daysafterthecloseofeachcalendarquarter,ending March31,June30,September30andDecember31ofeachyear.The recordkeeper shall also provide a secure online system where the participant can log into their account and see their current contributions,investmentearningsanddistributions.
9)Theparticipantsare100%vested.
10)TheExecutiveDirectorshallneitherchange retirementplanprovidersnormoveretirementplanfundswithoutthe priorapprovaloftheCommissiononRetirementServicesandthe GeneralBoard.
c.GroupLifeInsurance
TheDepartmentofRetirementServicesshallmakeavailableaGroupLife InsurancePlan.
1)PremiumsfortheplanshallbepaidbytheConnectional Churchforbishopsandgeneralofficers andbythelocalchurchfor pastors.TheDepartmentofRetirementServicesshallnotifytheGeneral Boardofchangesinpolicypremiumsandsaidchangesshallbereflected inthepremiumspaidbythe ConnectionalChurchandlocalchurches.
2)TheDepartmentofRetirementServicesshallmaintainan accurate,up-to-daterecordofcoveredInsurancePlanparticipants.Ifa participant’scoverageisscheduledtobecancelledforanyreason, the DepartmentofRetirementServicesshallnotifytheparticipantatleast 30dayspriortocancellation.Thenoticeshallindicatethereasonforthe proposedcancellationandwhatactioncanbetaken,ifany,toavoid cancellation.
d.MaintenanceofEmployeeBenefitProgramRecords
TheDepartmentofRetirementServicesshallberequiredtomaintainall employeebenefitprogramrecordsforeachparticipantforaperiodof seven(7)years,whichshallbeknownastheestablishedPurgingSchedule oftheDepartment.Anyparticipantinquiriesand/orclaimsforbenefits thatexceedthisscheduleshallbediligentlyaddressedbytheDepartment ofRetirementServicesinitsbestefforttoprovideanadequateresponse and/orachieveanequitableresolutionoftheclaim.
3.TheCommissiononRetirementServicesoftheGeneralBoard TheCommissiononRetirementServicesoftheGeneralBoardshall beacontinuingcommission.
a.The Commission shall be empowered to obtain the servicesofprofessionaladviserswhowillassistinthereviewandstudyof theprogram.
b.TheCommissionshallbeaskedtodevelopapro-gram thatwillbeall-inclusivesothatnosalariedservantoftheAMEChurch willbeexcluded,regardlessofage.
c.TheCommissionshallseethatamoreadequateprogram beinitiatedtoprovideforincreasingbenefitsofallpersonnel,takinginto considerationtheyearsofserviceandmini-mumbenefitsthatcanbe grantedtoeachretiree.
d.TheCommissionshallseektofindmeansbywhich an endowmentprogramforMinisterialAnnuitiesmaybeestablishedto insurethattheAMEministerswhomustberetiredatleastobtainamore adequateretirementbenefit.
e.The Commission shall make an annual report to the GeneralBoardinitsannualsession.
f. AllchangesrecommendedbytheCommissionmustbe approvedbyatwo-thirds(2/3)voteoftheGeneralBoard,withatwothirds(2/3)voteoftheCouncilofBishopsconcurring.