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Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

January 01, 1970

The Christian Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church is a historically black denomination that branched from earlier Methodist groups in the Southern United States after the Civil War. It is considered to be a mainline denomination.

Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
ClassificationProtestant
OrientationMethodist
TheologyWesleyan-Arminian
PolityConnexionalism
Origin1870; 154 years ago (1870)
Jackson, Tennessee
Separated fromMethodist Episcopal Church, South
Official websitethecmechurch.org

The CME Church was organized on December 16, 1870, in Jackson, Tennessee, by 41 former enslaved congregants, with the full support of their white sponsors in their former Methodist Episcopal Church, South. They met to form an organization that would allow them to establish and maintain their own polity.[1] They ordained their own bishops and ministers without their being officially endorsed or appointed by the white-dominated body. They called this fellowship the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America. The church used this name until 1954, when successors adopted the current name.[2]

The Christian Methodist Episcopal today has a church membership of people from all racial backgrounds. It adheres to Wesleyan-Arminian theology.

Chalk Level C.M.E. Church in Harnett County, North Carolina

Organization edit

In the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, bishops are the Chief Officers and are elected by "delegate" votes for life until the age of 74, when he/she must retire. Among their duties are the responsibilities of appointing clergy to serve in local churches as pastors, performing ordinations, and safeguarding the doctrines and discipline of the Church. The General Conference, held every four years, comprises an equal number of clergy and lay delegates and is when a bishop can be elected. In each Annual Conference, CME bishops serve for four-year terms. CME Church bishops may be male or female.

In 2006, there were an estimated 850,000 members in 3,500 churches.[3] As of 2021, the CME Church has grown to more than 1.5 million members across the United States with mission and sister churches in Haiti, Jamaica and fourteen African nations.[1]

Religious beliefs edit

The foundational doctrines of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church are found in what is commonly referred to in Wesleyan Methodism as The Articles of Religion. The Articles of Religion were derived from the Church of England and abridged by John Wesley, Founder of Methodism, for Methodists in America in 1784.

Hymnal and responsive readings edit

Sunday worship services in the CME denomination commonly include a Responsive Reading from scripture. A leader reads a line of scripture and the congregation reads a response. Bible passages are not arranged by topic; responsive readings are. Often, a single responsive reading consists of excerpts from several Bible passages.

The CME Responsive Readings are published in The Hymnal of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Items 1–545 are songs, and items 546–604 are Responsive Readings. The official Responsive Readings are from the King James Version of the Bible.

CME connectional emblem edit

 
CME Connectional Emblem

The official logo or symbol of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church was originally authorized by Bishop B. Julian Smith for the Centennial General Conference held in Memphis, 1970. It was officially adopted by the General Conference in 1974 as the denomination's connectional marker.

Designed by Will E. Chambers, the logo shows the place of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in the rapidly changing urbanized society and its relation to God's people. The logo is composed of:

The World Globe which represents the vineyard of God;
The Skyline which stands for the Church's concern for human and urban problems and people's alienation from God and one another;
The Weather Vane which symbolizes the need of the Church to be flexible in terms of meeting the contemporary needs of people; and,
The Cross which denotes, by its vertical bar, the need for a proper relationship between people and God, and by its horizontal bar, the need for proper relationships between people. The total Cross is a sign of the final-assured victory through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Ecumenical activity edit

Since the early 20th century the CME Church has explored the possibility of merging with other African American Methodist churches that are very similar in doctrine and practice.

In 1918 representatives of the CME Church, the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME Zion) Church met in Birmingham, Alabama where they agreed to propose a merger. This "Birmingham Plan" was approved by the CME General Conference but did not win enough support in the annual conferences.[4]

in the late 20th century, the CME Church engaged in new talks with the AME Zion Church on a merger, with CME General Conference delegates approving a union in principle in 1986, and AME Zion delegates giving the same approval in 1988. Bishops of each church reopened the question in 1999, adopting a timeline for an eventual merger.[4]

In May 2012, The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church entered into full communion with the United Methodist Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, African Union Methodist Protestant Church, African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Union American Methodist Episcopal Church. These Churches agreed to "recognize each other's churches, share sacraments, and affirm their clergy and ministries."[5]

Notable bishops edit

  • 1st Bishop William H. Miles (1828- 1892)
  • 2nd Bishop Richard H. Vanderhorst (1813-1872)
  • 3rd Bishop Joseph A. Beebe (1832-1902)
  • 4th Bishop Lucius Henry Holsey, D. D. (1842-1920)
  • 5th Bishop Isaac Lane, D. D. (1834–1937)
  • 6th Bishop Robert S. Williams, D. D. (1858-1832)
  • 7th Bishop Elijah Cottrell, D. D. (1853-1937)
  • 8th Bishop Charles Henry Phillips, D.D. (1858-1951)
  • 59th Bishop Teresa E. Jefferson-Snorton (1st woman bishop) (1955-)
  • Bishop Denise Anders-Modest (2nd woman bishop)

The church elected the first woman bishop in 2010. In 2022, the church elected its second woman bishop. In addition, Jefferson-Snorton became the "first woman to give the episcopal address" during the quadrennial General Conference.[6]

Colleges edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Information About the CME Church". Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  2. ^ "Christian Methodist Episcopal Church | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  3. ^ "2008 Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches". The National Council of Churches. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  4. ^ a b . Nashville, TN, USA: Worldwide Faith News. United Methodist News Service. May 16, 2000. Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  5. ^ Banks, Adelle M. (7 May 2012). . Christianity Today. Archived from the original on 26 June 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  6. ^ "Christian Methodist Episcopal Church elects second woman and African bishops". Religion News Service. 2022-07-01. Retrieved 2022-07-06.

Further reading edit

  • Bailey, Kenneth. "The Post-Civil War Racial Separations in Southern Protestantism," Church History (1977) 46#4 pp 453–73
  • Gravely, William B. " The Social, Political and Religious Significance of the Foundation of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church (1870)," Methodist History (1979) 18:3-25
  • Pettigrew, M. C. From Miles to Johnson: One Hundred Years of Progress, 1870-1970 (Memphis: CME Church Publishing House, 1970)
  • Phillips, Charles Henry. From the Farm to the Bishopric: An Autobiography (1932) excerpt
  • Phillips, Charles Henry (1898). The History of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America: Comprising Its Organization, Subsequent Development, and Present Status. Publishing House C.M.E. Church., reprinted Arno 1972; an official history
  • Sommerville, Raymond R. An Ex-colored Church: Social Activism in the CME Church, 1870-1970 (Mercer University Press, 2004)
  • Spragin, Rev. Dr. Ore. The History of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church 1870-2009 (Wyndham Hall Press, 2011) 304pp

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
  • CME Church Website
  • CME Church Publishing House
  • Profile of Christian Methodist Episcopal Church on the Association of Religion Data Archives website

January 01, 1970
christian, methodist, episcopal, church, christian, methodist, episcopal, church, historically, black, denomination, that, branched, from, earlier, methodist, groups, southern, united, states, after, civil, considered, mainline, denomination, classificationpro. The Christian Methodist Episcopal C M E Church is a historically black denomination that branched from earlier Methodist groups in the Southern United States after the Civil War It is considered to be a mainline denomination Christian Methodist Episcopal ChurchClassificationProtestantOrientationMethodistTheologyWesleyan ArminianPolityConnexionalismOrigin1870 154 years ago 1870 Jackson TennesseeSeparated fromMethodist Episcopal Church SouthOfficial websitethecmechurch org The CME Church was organized on December 16 1870 in Jackson Tennessee by 41 former enslaved congregants with the full support of their white sponsors in their former Methodist Episcopal Church South They met to form an organization that would allow them to establish and maintain their own polity 1 They ordained their own bishops and ministers without their being officially endorsed or appointed by the white dominated body They called this fellowship the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America The church used this name until 1954 when successors adopted the current name 2 The Christian Methodist Episcopal today has a church membership of people from all racial backgrounds It adheres to Wesleyan Arminian theology Chalk Level C M E Church in Harnett County North Carolina Contents 1 Organization 2 Religious beliefs 3 Hymnal and responsive readings 4 CME connectional emblem 5 Ecumenical activity 6 Notable bishops 7 Colleges 8 See also 9 References 10 Further reading 11 External linksOrganization editIn the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church bishops are the Chief Officers and are elected by delegate votes for life until the age of 74 when he she must retire Among their duties are the responsibilities of appointing clergy to serve in local churches as pastors performing ordinations and safeguarding the doctrines and discipline of the Church The General Conference held every four years comprises an equal number of clergy and lay delegates and is when a bishop can be elected In each Annual Conference CME bishops serve for four year terms CME Church bishops may be male or female In 2006 there were an estimated 850 000 members in 3 500 churches 3 As of 2021 update the CME Church has grown to more than 1 5 million members across the United States with mission and sister churches in Haiti Jamaica and fourteen African nations 1 Religious beliefs editThe foundational doctrines of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church are found in what is commonly referred to in Wesleyan Methodism as The Articles of Religion The Articles of Religion were derived from the Church of England and abridged by John Wesley Founder of Methodism for Methodists in America in 1784 Hymnal and responsive readings editSunday worship services in the CME denomination commonly include a Responsive Reading from scripture A leader reads a line of scripture and the congregation reads a response Bible passages are not arranged by topic responsive readings are Often a single responsive reading consists of excerpts from several Bible passages The CME Responsive Readings are published in The Hymnal of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Items 1 545 are songs and items 546 604 are Responsive Readings The official Responsive Readings are from the King James Version of the Bible CME connectional emblem edit nbsp CME Connectional Emblem The official logo or symbol of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church was originally authorized by Bishop B Julian Smith for the Centennial General Conference held in Memphis 1970 It was officially adopted by the General Conference in 1974 as the denomination s connectional marker Designed by Will E Chambers the logo shows the place of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in the rapidly changing urbanized society and its relation to God s people The logo is composed of The World Globe which represents the vineyard of God The Skyline which stands for the Church s concern for human and urban problems and people s alienation from God and one another The Weather Vane which symbolizes the need of the Church to be flexible in terms of meeting the contemporary needs of people and The Cross which denotes by its vertical bar the need for a proper relationship between people and God and by its horizontal bar the need for proper relationships between people The total Cross is a sign of the final assured victory through the blood of Jesus Christ Ecumenical activity editSince the early 20th century the CME Church has explored the possibility of merging with other African American Methodist churches that are very similar in doctrine and practice In 1918 representatives of the CME Church the African Methodist Episcopal AME Church and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion AME Zion Church met in Birmingham Alabama where they agreed to propose a merger This Birmingham Plan was approved by the CME General Conference but did not win enough support in the annual conferences 4 in the late 20th century the CME Church engaged in new talks with the AME Zion Church on a merger with CME General Conference delegates approving a union in principle in 1986 and AME Zion delegates giving the same approval in 1988 Bishops of each church reopened the question in 1999 adopting a timeline for an eventual merger 4 In May 2012 The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church entered into full communion with the United Methodist Church African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church African Union Methodist Protestant Church African Methodist Episcopal Church and Union American Methodist Episcopal Church These Churches agreed to recognize each other s churches share sacraments and affirm their clergy and ministries 5 Notable bishops edit1st Bishop William H Miles 1828 1892 2nd Bishop Richard H Vanderhorst 1813 1872 3rd Bishop Joseph A Beebe 1832 1902 4th Bishop Lucius Henry Holsey D D 1842 1920 5th Bishop Isaac Lane D D 1834 1937 6th Bishop Robert S Williams D D 1858 1832 7th Bishop Elijah Cottrell D D 1853 1937 8th Bishop Charles Henry Phillips D D 1858 1951 59th Bishop Teresa E Jefferson Snorton 1st woman bishop 1955 Bishop Denise Anders Modest 2nd woman bishop The church elected the first woman bishop in 2010 In 2022 the church elected its second woman bishop In addition Jefferson Snorton became the first woman to give the episcopal address during the quadrennial General Conference 6 Colleges editHomer College Homer Louisiana not a true college Lane College Jackson Tennessee Paine College Augusta Georgia Miles College Birmingham Alabama Texas College Tyler Texas Phillips School of Theology Atlanta GeorgiaSee also edit nbsp United States portal Churches Uniting in Christ Religion in Black America Civil rights movement 1865 1896 Methodist Episcopal Church South African Methodist Episcopal Church African Methodist Episcopal Zion ChurchReferences edit a b Information About the CME Church Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Retrieved 2021 02 24 Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Encyclopedia com www encyclopedia com Retrieved 2021 02 24 2008 Yearbook of American amp Canadian Churches The National Council of Churches Retrieved 2009 12 07 a b Two black Methodist denominations moving toward union Nashville TN USA Worldwide Faith News United Methodist News Service May 16 2000 Archived from the original on March 4 2009 Retrieved 2009 02 18 Banks Adelle M 7 May 2012 Methodists Reach Across Historic Racial Boundaries with Communion Pact Christianity Today Archived from the original on 26 June 2012 Retrieved 11 November 2012 Christian Methodist Episcopal Church elects second woman and African bishops Religion News Service 2022 07 01 Retrieved 2022 07 06 Further reading editBailey Kenneth The Post Civil War Racial Separations in Southern Protestantism Church History 1977 46 4 pp 453 73 Gravely William B The Social Political and Religious Significance of the Foundation of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church 1870 Methodist History 1979 18 3 25 Pettigrew M C From Miles to Johnson One Hundred Years of Progress 1870 1970 Memphis CME Church Publishing House 1970 Phillips Charles Henry From the Farm to the Bishopric An Autobiography 1932 excerpt Phillips Charles Henry 1898 The History of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America Comprising Its Organization Subsequent Development and Present Status Publishing House C M E Church reprinted Arno 1972 an official history Sommerville Raymond R An Ex colored Church Social Activism in the CME Church 1870 1970 Mercer University Press 2004 Spragin Rev Dr Ore The History of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church 1870 2009 Wyndham Hall Press 2011 304ppExternal links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Christian Methodist Episcopal Church CME Church Website CME Church Publishing House Profile of Christian Methodist Episcopal Church on the Association of Religion Data Archives website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Christian Methodist Episcopal Church amp oldid 1217846407, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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