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Church Growth and Development
Name of Annual Conference: Piedmont (SC) Annual Conference
Date: October 27-29, 2022
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Committee Name: Social Action
Chair: Reverend Carroll Wells, Jr.
Members: Reverends: Annette Edwards, Sandra M. Smith, JoAnne McIntosh, Richard Temple, Jacqueline Aiken, Melody Morton; Sisters: Shirley Jefferson, Vanessa Pressley, Karla Carpenter, Gladys Long, Johnnie Thompson Brothers: Emanuel Sellers, John Merrill Sr., Herbert McAlister, Jimmie Hurley
Report
As the Conference Committee, we stand to report now more than ever before, that the work must continue in these United States and the Global Community. The prevailing reality of our society is that we now more than ever as a Church and people, need to speak truth to power. In light of all the latest global crisis is the continued battle with Covid -19. The outbreak, first reported in Wuhan China in December 2019, exploded into a Global Pandemic within weeks. In the third year of the pandemic, as “pandemic fatigue” pushes many to put aside preventive measures, progress is evident, and vaccines have saved many lives. The science continues to learn more, but at the same time, so does the virus.
Three studies published by the CDC show that COVID-19 booster shots provide the best protection against the Omicron variant and the new sub-variants. One of the studies found that the booster shots were 90% effective at preventing Covid-19-associated emergency department or urgent care visits and hospitalizations during both the Delta and Omicron surges. All three studies found that unvaccinated people faced the highest risks of becoming
sick with COVID-19.
Recommendations
We strongly recommend each local church activate their local Social Action ministry within their church and surrounding neighborhood.
We must continue to encourage the community to continue the series of updated vaccinations.
Churches must continue to practice safe and deliberate protocols within their local church. We must continue to monitor ourselves by screenings and temperature checks regularly. As Black leaders, we must continue to lead our people by example about this dreaded Covid19 which continues to cause harm and death to so many, especially the underprivileged and uninformed.
Local churches, along with health care agencies, must sponsor forums, seminars, and discussion groups to educate the congregation and community.
Respectfully Submitted,
The Piedmont Annual Conference Committee on Social Action
Name of Annual Conference: Piedmont (SC) Annual Conference
Date: October 27-29, 2022
Committee Name: Church Growth and Development
Chair. Reverend Paul N. Wharton
Members: Reverends: Barry Leverette, Krystal Bryant, James Brownlee, Beverly Weaver, Ricardo Herriott Brother: Bernard Wideman Sisters: Edna Richardson, Carolyn Simmons, Renee’ Suber Kinard.
Report:
Join us as we welcome the new Chair of the Commission on Church Growth and Development, the Right Reverend Reginald T. Jackson. Bishop Jackson is the 132nd elected and consecrated bishop of the AME Church and the Presiding Prelate of the 6th Episcopal District. It is an exciting time for Church Growth and Development as we begin a new era under our new Executive Director of Church Growth and Development Reverend Dr. Marcellus Norris. He has hit the ground running making plans for the work of the Department.
The Rev. Dr. Marcellus A. Norris believes that the AME church is NOT a dying church but has everything it needs to grow even higher from the ground up under a three-point plan: (Reclaim, Evangelize, Develop)
As we grow Church Growth and Development should create and develop radical disciples and disciple-makers for the sake of the Gospel; • Equip members of our Zion to become spiritually empowered witnesses for the Kingdom of God in order to RECLAIM, EVANGELIZE and DEVELOP as greater laborers for the harvest; • Ensure that the presence of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the place of African Methodism is present wherever people are situated throughout the world. with intensive biblically grounded, spiritually impacted, culturally relevant teaching, practical training. For over 60 years, the Department of Church Growth and Development has held to the principle of teaching and training AME clergy and laity in evangelism and discipleship that leads to spiritual growth in our members and a numeric increase in our congregations. The Department aims to assist AME clergy and laity in leading all people to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as one’s savior through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
