US Black church coalition names reparations, voting, health equity among priorities
United StatesRNS The Conference of National Black Churches has called on African American congregations to embrace a list of priorities – from “government-sponsored reparations” to improved access to healthcare – as they move out of a pandemic era and into an election year. “We believe Black life must be valued and the humanity of all […]
Essay: A brief history of the Black church’s diversity, and its vital role in American political history
JASON OLIVER EVANS, a scholar of Christian theology and African American religion, looks – in an article first published on The Conversation, at the history and influence of the Black church in the United States…
Bishop Mildred Hines, first AME Zion female bishop, dead at age 67
RNS Bishop Mildred “Bonnie” Hines, the first female bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, has died at age 67. “We are sad because we will miss her powerful preaching, her electrifying teaching, her dynamic leadership, and her loving spirit,” stated the board of bishops in a statement. “We are glad because she is […]
Essay: Five lessons recent church leadership failures can teach us
In an article first published on Religion News Service, JENNIFER R FARMER, author of ‘First and Only: What Black Women Say About Thriving at Work and in Life’, says there are clear reasons why our leadership is not performing to the standards we should expect…
Former AME Zion bishop Staccato Powell charged with fraud in $US14 million scheme
RNS Staccato Powell, the former president of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church’s board of bishops, has been federally charged with fraud and conspiracy connected to allegations of his mishandling the properties of congregations in California and fraudulently gaining millions of dollars for personal use. Powell, 62, and Sheila Quintana, 67, were indicted on 6th […]
AME Zion leader Staccato Powell removed as bishop after facing financial accusations
RNS A prominent African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church leader has been removed from the ranks of bishop after being found guilty in a church trial for mishandling millions of dollars in transactions related to congregations. Staccato Powell, who was the bishop of the denomination’s Western Episcopal District, had been suspended until the time of his […]
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church celebrates paid-off debts at major meeting
RNS The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church opened its General Conference in the US with a worship service celebrating its paid-off debts. “We loved our church and we wanted to make sure that when we came to General Conference we would have enough money saved by making these transactions, so when we came here the […]
Religious conferences: In the US, planning continues amid COVID-19, socially distant or online
ADELLE M BANKS, of Religion News Service, reports on how organisers of religious conferences in the US are adapting during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic…
In the US, prominent bishop of AME Zion Church suspended, faces financial accusations
RNS A former top bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church has been suspended and is awaiting trial. He faces accusations of mishandling millions of dollars in transactions related to congregations, the denomination’s bishops announced. “[T]he Board of Bishops announces the immediate suspension of Staccato Powell as an active Bishop of the AME Zion […]
US election: Black church turnout effort mobilises against alleged voter suppression
ADELLE M BANKS, of Religion News Service, on how Black churches in the US are encouraging congregations to vote in the US election…