History's Made! African Methodist Episcopal Church elects first female Bishop
It came shortly before 8 p.m. It was the second round of balloting for Bishop at the 46 General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The numbers from the electronic voting appeared on the huge television screen. And in sharp focus he numbers told the story, Rev. Vashti McKenzie had become the first femal Bishop of the historic African American church.
Also elected in the second roun of balloting was Rev. Richard Franklin Norris, Pastor of St. Matthew A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia. Rev. Norris will be the 116 Bishop of the A.M.E. Church. Rev. McKenzie will be the 117th. Rev. McKenzie pastors in Baltimore, MD.
To be elected, a candidate had to have fifty percent of the vote plus one. No candidate achieved this magic number on the first ballot. Rev. McKenzie and Rev. Norris, who were the two top vote getters on the first ballot, joined together and formed a coalition for the second round of voting. The other two members of the coalition, Rev. Preston Williams of Atlanta. Georgia and Rev. Gregory Ingram of Detroit, Michegan did not make it in on the second ballot. Rev. Norris had 874 votes and Rev. McKenzie had 847 votes.
Rev. Norris during his thank you speech said there still was work to be done indicating he wanted to bring the rest of the team home.
Rev. Norris and Rev. McKenzie did what they promised. One round later, the other two members of their coalition, Rev. Ingram and Rev. Williams became the 118th and 119th Bishops of the church respectively.
Rev. Ricky Spain was voted to return as editor of the Christian Recorder, also on the second ballot.
On the first ballot, Rev. Johnny Barbour Jr. became the Secretary-Treasurer of he Sunday School. Rev. George Flowers became Secretary of Global Witness and Ministry. Rev. Dennis Dickerson was elected Director of Research and Scholarship. Rev. George Champion was elected Director of Church Growth and Development.
The new Bishops will find out where they will be spending their first four years in the position later tonight. The Consecration Ceremony and the assigningof Bishops is scheduled for tonight.
