This conclusion from the Board of Bishops Quadrennial Address of the 49th Session of General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church: “Zion, we will fortify our faith and secure our future only as we are persuaded and disciplined enough to pursue holistic Christian development, with the aid of the Holy Spirit. This will require faithful stewardship over all that God has entrusted
to us, including our minds and scripture, and especially, the church, the ecclesia, the called out ones, the people, as well as the Institutional Church. If we spend time developing our minds through the study of God’s affirming, stimulating, authenticating, and liberating word, we will discover, with the psalmist, that God’s word is indeed, “a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path” (Ps 119:105). We will discover that stewardship as a way of life involves the understanding that everything we are and everything we have are gifts from God. Let everything we do – in our worship, in our leadership, in our discipleship, and in our stewardship – reflect back to God our profound gratitude for the life He gives and the love He continuously pours on us.”
Thus, as we embark upon another quadrennial, it is our hope that all of Zion’s Connectional Departments and Boards, ministers and congregations will employ the theme: “Fortifying Our Faith While Focusing on Our Future Through: Worship, Leadership, Discipleship and Stewardship.” There is strength, continuity in unity and re-enforcement.
