A Call for Renewal at the 52nd Quadrennial Session of the AME Church

A Call for Renewal at the 52nd Quadrennial Session of the AME Church

By Dakare C Chatman 

The AME Church was born out of radical defiance to injustice. Our founders, including Richard Allen, faced exclusion and subjugation but did not yield; instead, they birthed a new institution where the downtrodden could find spiritual, social, and political refuge. Now, it feels like our focus has shifted. We are tangled in internal disputes that drain the church of its energy and spirit. This conflict is not just about theological or doctrinal debates, but often, it feels as though power and control have taken precedence over our foundational mission of justice, community, and spiritual growth. 

For young people in the AME Church, this infighting and dysfunction are especially troubling. We represent a generation that is constantly seeking authenticity. We crave community, purpose, and leadership that reflects the values we claim to uphold: faith, justice, and service. But when we look at the internal workings of our church, it becomes hard to see those values clearly. Instead, we are witnessing the kind of division and politicking that threatens to erode the very trust and hope that drew us to the AME Church in the first place. 

I can’t help but wonder, are we still a church of transformation? Are we still the church that speaks truth to power, that champions the cause of the marginalized, and that models Christ-like leadership in all we do? Or have we become a place where internal power struggles dominate our agenda, leaving little room for the mission and ministry that should guide us? 

As a young adult in this denomination, I find it necessary to raise a call for change. The AME Church must remember that change is not something to be feared but embraced. Change is what causes growth, and without it, we risk stagnation and irrelevance. We live in a world that is changing rapidly—socially, politically, and technologically. As young people, we are deeply aware of these shifts, and we need a church that is willing to grow with us, not remain stuck in the past. A church that honors its history but does not let that history hold it back from adapting to new realities. 

The future of the AME Church lies in its willingness to be open to the voices of young people, the same generation that is looking for a church home that reflects their values. We are not simply the church of tomorrow; we are the church of today. We are the ones on the front lines of social justice movements, the ones building businesses, families, and communities in the face of systemic challenges. We are the generation that is deeply invested in questions of race, gender, and economic equality—issues that have always been at the heart of the AME Church’s mission.

But if the AME Church continues to be consumed by internal conflict and refuses to change, we may lose not just our way but also the engagement of this generation. And make no mistake—if we lose this generation, we risk the church’s future entirely. Young adults today want to be part of something that matters, something that stands for justice, equity, and real spiritual growth. If the church cannot provide that, we will look elsewhere. The consequences of that are

profound—not just for the church but for the broader African American community that the AME Church has historically served and uplifted. 

It’s time for us to re-center ourselves on what truly matters. This is a call for the AME Church to re-engage with the mission that brought us into being: the fight for justice, equality, and faith-based leadership. Our denomination has always been at the forefront of critical social movements, from the abolition of slavery to the civil rights struggle. But in order to continue that legacy, we must ensure that our leadership reflects the values of Christ—not power for power’s sake, but service, humility, and love. 

As we gather at this 52nd Quadrennial Session, let us be reminded that our strength lies not in internal hierarchies or titles, but in our ability to model the change we seek in the world. Let us remember that young people are not outsiders to this mission, but central to it. We are eager to lead, to serve, and to continue the work of our ancestors in creating a church that is both relevant and radical in its pursuit of justice. 

In this moment, the AME Church has a choice. We can either continue down a path of division and decline, or we can embrace the possibility of renewal. We can listen to the voices of young people calling for a church that is open to change. We can re-commit ourselves to the mission 

that founded us. We can be the church that once again stands boldly in the face of injustice, united in our love for God and for one another. 

But to do this, we must first recognize that we are in need of change. And change, while difficult, is the lifeblood of growth. If we are willing to be open to it, we can ensure that the AME Church not only survives but thrives for generations to come.