African Methodist Episcopal conference elects bishops
Two bishops have been elected at the 49th Quadrennial Session of the African Methodist Episcopal Church General Conference, out of a field of 17 candidates.
The Rev. Dr. Clement W. Fugh of Brentwood, Tenn., has been elected the 131st Bishop of the AME Church. Fugh recently held the position of general secretary and chief information officer in the AME Church. His tenure ended July 27 with the opening of the general conference. The position of secretary is the first position elected during the conference. Fugh has been employed as an AME official for the last 28 years, as an assistant pastor, pastor and general secretary/CIO, as well as a variety of positions on boards and commissions.
In his acceptance speech, he said, “To God be the glory.” He recognized Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie and Supervisor Stan McKenzie, and Team 13, his support group from the 13th District. He closed by saying, “Teamwork makes dreams work.”
The second bishop elected was the Rev. Dr. Reginald T. Jackson, a native of Dover. He pastors St. Matthew AME in Orange, N.J., where he has served since 1981. Jackson is the 132nd elected bishop in the history of the church. Under his administration, St. Matthew created its own Community Development Corporation called Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation. Known as the Servant Church of the Oranges, it has more than 30 ministries that focus on the spiritual, emotional, educational and physical needs of the church and the community.
In his acceptance speech, Jackson said, “It is good to be in the house of God.” He recognized a list of current bishops who supported and encouraged him through this process. He added, “I will continue to love God, love the church and be a good shepherd.”
Fugh received the most votes in the first round with all 17 candidates. Following that session, 11 candidates withdrew, leaving six remaining. Fugh received the most votes in the second round, 1,228, and Jackson received 1,031.
Bishops are elected by the delegates of the general conference. There were only two bishop positions to be filled this quadrennial. The bishop serves as the general superintendent, chief executive, chief pastor and administrative head of the AME Church. He is an elder, elected and consecrated to the office of bishop by the general conference.
The bishop is a member of the executive branch consisting of the bishops, and familiarly called the Bishop’s Council of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The church’s first bishop was its founder, Richard Allen, who along with others established the Free African Society in 1787, which evolved into the African Methodist Episcopal Church and was recognized as a religious denomination in 1816.
For more information on the 2012 AME Church General Conference, contact Phyllis Qualls-Brooks at 615-498-4681 or go to www.ame-church.com.
