SHEEP WORK

SHEEP WORK

Rev. Barry Settle, D.Min., Contributing Writer

The 52nd Session of the General Conference of the has been event-filled nonetheless, in every business session thus far. Ministry and the life of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is filled with passionate clergy and laity, and all of these emotions have been on display since the opening of the conference. In this afternoon’s business session, we experienced a calm, and were able to hear reports from what is the heart of our great church, and that is the serving those who are in need. As I listened to committee reports, I could not help but reflect to myself the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:40 (CSB), “And the King will answer them, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” The parable this text is referring to is regarding the judgment of the humanity, metaphorically in this parable referred to as sheep and goats. Verse 40 addresses the sheep, who serve those in need, because they love Christ and serve others because of their love.

With this on my mind, my heart rejoiced, hearing the reports read from the Christian Debutante Master’s Commission, who has the goal to create an environment of the spiritual growth and development of our youth, and instilling a Christlike attribute in youth and young adults. The CDMC continues to flourish despite the lingering effects of COVID. Over the last three years, they have had over 500 participants attend programs and workshops and have given over $200,000 in scholarships for our youth. Districts 2, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 12, have held programs including etiquette, social graces, financial literacy, public speaking, voter information and more. They have had over these districts, over 900 young people involved. The 14th-20th Districts will be attending and participating in the CDM ceremony in person and on video. They have also published a book of prayers by young people, for young people. The first being entitled, Hey God, It’s Me and the other one, Father, Can You Hear Me. 

In addition, I was also moved by the work of SADA (Service and Development Agency). They too, have faced challenges on every level, as every one of the countries they serve are facing a number of issues, whether economic or political, and these have impacted the ministry and the people they serve. They have been trying to focus on Liberia, working with Bishop Kawimbe and AME University on expanding their programs. This is critical because it will require funding that they have not yet been able to obtain. This expansion will require several million dollars. They are trying to do work in South Africa to get back into Wilberforce Community College to do the revamping that college needs with a solar program. Their largest program is in Haiti, working out of a network of eight clinics to provide child and maternal services for about 150,000 persons per year focusing on child and maternal health. They also have a nutritional recuperation program, where they have been able to work with more than 2,000 severely malnourish children. 

There were other compelling ministries that reported, including the Chaplin’s’ Report, Election Commission and Global Development Counsel. All working to ensure the spiritual, physical, mental and social wholeness of humanity that is offered through our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Reflecting on what Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, I would call this sheep work! Taking care of the least of these.

As the Revisions Committee came for their second reading, our church returned to the grinding work of the General Conference. When I go back to my church in Los Angeles, I will share the experience of who we elected, what legislations was changed, and the emotions of the 52nd Session of the General Conference. But one thing I will make sure I do not forget to share, is the sheep work of African Methodism.