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AFRICA JURISDICTIONAL COUNCIL


AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
CAPE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
PAARL DISTRICT CONFERENCE

AFRICA JURISDICTIONAL COUNCIL
(AN OVERVIEW)

To our Bishop, Rt. Rev Gregory GM Ingram, our Episcopal Supervisor, Rev Mother Jessica K Ingram, Presiding Elder, Pastors, Conference Officers and members at large.

I deem it a privilege and honor to be of service to our Zion and specifically to have been part of the developments during the deliberations, negotiations and sacrifices of the life and being of the AFRICA JURISDICTIONAL COUNCIL. This is a milestone in the life of the AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

We have come to the point where we can prove our willingness to move away from outdated traditional lines to a more viable, fresh, just and spirit filled dispensation. We, in Africa, have been longing for the dawn of this new day as long back as 1928. God has heard our call and we are on our way to submit legislation to the 47th session of the General Conference of the AME Church. The successful outcome of these bills will have far reaching implications on the life of the entire AME church and we on the continent of Africa will have to make adjustments to live up to the numerous challenges that will come our way. The church can no more afford to do business as usual. I believe that our sons, daughters, grandchildren and everybody else who will come afterwards will be proud as well as be the beneficiaries of the sacrifices that we are making now.

Change is inevitable. It happens in all walks of life. With every progressive step we take, a sacrifice is demanded. My prayer is that every good AME will support the initiatives of the AJC and be prepared to make meaningful contributions to further the goals and to strengthen the unity among all of us. I also solicit those who have worked tirelessly before and with us to make this dream to come true. I like to commend the Bishops, Pastors and the laity who left no stone unturned to further the aspirations of the thousands of AME’s on the continent of Africa who are longing for a better share in the life of our church.

In order to make a meaningful proposal to the church at large, we have come up with the following legislation to be considered at the forthcoming General Conference:

REDISTRICTING:
  1. The 14th Episcopal District to remain as is (Liberia; Sierra Leone; Nigeria: Ghana; Ivory Coast.)

  2. The 15th Episcopal District will be changed to cover the following regions: Cape, Kalahari, Eastern Cape and Queenstown Annual Conferences. It is envisaged to divide the Cape Conference in the 2004 – 2008 quadrennial.

  3. The 17th Episcopal District to be divided in three Episcopal districts, (French speaking countries – three Annual Conferences; DRC, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique)>/li>
  4. The 18th Episcopal District to cover Namibia (2 Annual Conferences), Angola and Botswana.

  5. The 19th Episcopal District to include the Eastern-, Northern- and Western Transvaal Annual Conferences as well as Swaziland.

  6. A new Episcopal District to be established in Southern Africa that will be constituted by the Orangia, Lesotho (2 annual conferences) and Natal Annual Conferences.


We envisaged the creation of three new Episcopal Districts, which will leave us with eight Districts on the continent of Africa.

BUDGET:

 With every step you take, there is a price one has to pay. Over and above the reorganization in the redistricting process and the implications that go with it, more Bishops will be elected which will cost the church more. The organization of the newly found body, the AFRICA DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL that will coordinate the work on the Africa continent, also needs funding. These are few of the challenges that will confront us after the 2004 General Conference. Congregations will have to make minimal contributions to make this initiative work. We have accepted the principal of the remuneration of Bishops who will serve in Africa, according to local economic conditions as well as the tax base of such country in which they reside. In so doing we will be able to continue and deepen the primary aims of empowering and capacity building in the church in Africa. We also aspire to elect General Officers from Africa who will reside in Africa that will also bring lots of savings to the church. The General Officer for Global Witness and Ministry should have its office in Africa because most of the work is done in this mission field. Since we are endeavoring empowerment of the people on the continent of Africa, we would like to see a shift in the hierarchy and we will only then be able to refer to the AME Church as an international denomination.

LEGISLATION:

 We would only know whether the church is serious with all of the above, if at the forthcoming General Conference the proposed legislation from the AJC will be accepted. Bills have been prepared and have already been submitted to the General Secretary for processing. Since the AJC has completed its work, a new body is proposed after the General Conference, the AFRICA DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, to coordinate the work on the continent of Africa. Personally, I am looking forward to be very active in this new body since I have sacrificed so much of my time and resources in accomplishing this goal. I have taken the liberty to include in this presentation, copies of proposed legislation for your insight and perusal.

CONCLUSION

 I thank the Presiding Elder for allowing me to share this information with you. We have come to the point where these developments are irreversible. We urge every good AME to put your strength behind the work that has been done thus far. God has allowed us to share our views and to agree but also to disagree in critical matters. I solicit your prayers for the things that still need be done. I also ask for your undivided support to our candidates from Africa who aspires to be elected Bishops and General Officer. In the past we gave our votes to the Americans. There was nothing wrong about it because we are one church. This time we are morally obligated to start our charity at home. Bring our children home to serve us and by so doing give more meaning to the dawn as well as the spirit of an Africa Renaissance in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

May God bless you to keep on keeping the faith. Stay focused and let us keep our eyes on Jesus.

Your brother and friend in Jesus Christ.

Daniel J. Jacobs (Rev)

(As presented at the Paarl District Conferebnce held at Sims Chapel in Stellenbosch 26 - 28 March 2004

Email: dannyjack55@hotmail.com