Rev. Joseph Darby, pastor of Morris Brown A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina, officially announced today, he is withdrawing from the race for the editorship of the Christian Recorder.

Rev. Darby cites changes in his pastoral position as being among the mitigating factors that influenced him to cease his candidacy.

Rev. Darby originally announced his candidacy on A.M.E. Today, thus becoming the first A.M.E. candidate in the history of the denomination to use this new medium for such a purpose.

Rev. Darby said he felt it only appropriate that since he initially announced his candidacy worldwide on A.M.E. Today that he also announce his withdrawal from the race here.

Below is the full text of Rev. Joseph Darby's withdrawal letter.

March 7, 2000

To the Bishops, General Officers, Connectional Officers, Reverend Clergy, and Loyal Laity of the African Methodist Episcopal Church:

Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please allow me to thank all of those who very nearly elected me Editor of the AME Christian Recorder at the 45th General Conference of our Zion, and to thank those who have encouraged, supported and prayed for my candidacy in the present quadrennium.

I still firmly believe that The Recorder should be a timely and relevant publication that builds upon its tradition of excellence while addressing the issues facing our Zion in the present age. I still firmly believe that I am the most qualified candidate for the office of Editor. There have, however, been changes in my pastoral life that have led me to reconsider my candidacy. Through the Godly judgement of my Bishop, the Right Reverend John Hurst Adams, I was assigned to the pastorate of Morris Brown AME Church - the first church in the Seventh Episcopal District - in December 1998.

After considerable prayer, reflection and consultation with family and colleagues since that time, I do not feel God's hand leading me to relinquish the pastoral ministry at this point in time to move to Nashville as a full time Editor, which is the current expectation. I do, therefore, reluctantly withdraw my candidacy for Editor of The Recorder.

The technology now exists for the Editor of The Recorder to serve as a pastor and to fulfill the duties of the office. Should our Zion ever adopt that view, I will again gladly and humbly offer myself for service to The Recorder. At present, I simply solicit your prayers that God will continue to bless my ministry at Morris Brown; in the greater Charleston, South Carolina area; and in the church of Richard and Sarah Allen and of four generations of my ancestors. Thank you for your attention, encouragement and consideration, and may God's blessings, grace and peace be yours.

Best wishes,
Reverend Joseph A. Darby

-----By John Fisher, for A.M.E. Today