The Office of Ecumenical & Urban Affairs

The African Methodist Episcopal Church

About Us

From "African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Modern Ecumenical Movement" by John Thomas III, Editor, The Christian Recorder

Ecumenism is defined as, “the effort to foster understanding and cooperation among divided Christian churches, the ultimate goal being their reconciliation in some form of unity.” The most structured advances in these directions are found in the modern ecumenical movement—the structures, institutions, and practices organized to promote these goals. The African Methodist Episcopal Church has participated actively in the growth and development of the modern ecumenical movement since its inception. Throughout the various expressions of global ecumenism, the AME Church has consistently advocated for issues of racial and social justice and ensuring that action on these issues would be central to the broader discussions on Christian unity. … … …

As ecumenical involvement increased and interdenominational affairs became more complex, there was a growing desire to centralize and adequately fund and direct the AME Church’s ecumenical endeavors at the highest levels. Bishop Frederick Douglass Jordan was designated as Director of Ecumenical and Urban Affairs by the 1968 General Conference. In 1980, the General Conference combined the “Office of Ecumenical and Urban Affairs” with the “Office of Church Polity.” The AME Church is the first (and to date only) Black Methodist denomination with a fulltime ecumenical representative at the Episcopal level. … … …

Read More: AME Church and Modern Ecumenical Movement
by John Thomas III, Editor, The Christian Recorder

THE RT. REVEREND DAVID RWHYNICA DANIELS, JR.

The Office of Ecumenical & Urban Affairs, the African Methodist Episcopal Church

  • The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church is honored to announce the assignment of Bishop David R. Daniels, Jr. as its Ecumenical Officer and Chaplain Endorser. Elected as the 124th Bishop of the AME Church in 2004, Bishop Daniels made history as the first West African elevated to the AME Episcopacy —a testament to his lifelong dedication to ministry and global Christian service.
  • Bishop Daniels, alongside his wife, Supervisor Dr. Irene M. Daniels, has faithfully led congregations in the 14th, 15th, and 17th Episcopal Districts, overseeing Churches in countries such as Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Zambia, and many others. His leadership has been transformative, particularly in church growth, theological education. He is a leader who fights for justice, equality, and unity. He supports reconciliation efforts around the globe.
  • Born in River Cess County, Republic of Liberia, Bishop Daniels was called to the ministry in 1974. He pursued theological studies in the United States, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Allen University and a Master of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary.
  • His commitment to education has also been recognized with honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees from both AME University in Liberia and Lenoir-Rhyne University in the United States.
  • Throughout his ministry, Bishop Daniels has been instrumental in promoting peace, notably founding Christians United for Peace (CUP) in response to the Liberian Civil War. He also spearheaded the development of educational institutions, including the African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU), the Frank M. Reid, Jr. Christian School, Daniels-Adams School of Excellence (DASE), Royesville, Topoe Town School of Excellence (TTSE) Topoe Town, River Cess, in Liberia, thus expanding access to quality education in underserved areas.
  • Bishop David Rwhynica Daniels, Jr. was elected unopposed, and served as President of the Liberian Council of Churches (LCC) in Liberia. He also served as the President of the Inter- Faith Religious Council of Liberia for several years.
  • In his new role as Ecumenical Officer and Endorser, Bishop Daniels will continue his work of fostering unity and collaboration across Christian denominations. His appointment signals a continued commitment to strengthening the AME Church’s global ecumenical relationships and expanding its outreach to broader Christian communities.

Bishop Daniels' unwavering faith, visionary leadership, and passion for service ensure that his influence will continue to inspire both the AME Church and the global Christian community at large for years to come.

Chaplain Endorser

Check out our Links below or visit our Chaplain Endorser Facebook Page for more information and inspiration on chaplaincy!

Chaplain Endorser FB Page

Our Greater Ecumenical Community

Visit some of thoese who are a partners with us in in the growth and development of the ecumenical movement.

The National Council of Churches is a diverse covenant community of 37 member communions and over 30 million individuals –100,000 congregations from Protestant, Anglican, historic African-American, Orthodox, Evangelical, and Living Peace traditions – in a common commitment to advocate and represent God’s love and promise of unity in our public square. NCC works with secular and interfaith partners to advance a shared agenda of peace, progress, and positive change.

National Council of Churches

nationalcouncilofchurches.us

The World Council of Churches is a fellowship which confess the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Saviour according to the scriptures, and therefore seek to fulfil together their common calling to the glory of the one God. It is a community of churches on the way to visible unity in one faith and one eucharistic fellowship, expressed in worship and in common life in Christ. It seeks to advance towards this unity, as Jesus prayed for his followers, "so that the world may believe."

World Council of Churches

oikoumene.org

The Pan-Methodist Commission's purpose is to work to define, plan, and in cooperation with established agencies, execute activities that foster meaningful cooperation in order that “the wounds resulting from our past divisions may be healed and together we may have a more effective witness in the global community as well as be good stewards of our God-given resources.” The future is yet unknown, but the member denominations are committed to explore where God wants to lead us.

The Pan-Methodist Commission

pmcforchildren.org/commission.html

CNBC is comprised of the national leadership of the seven largest historically Black denominations in America. The organization represents more than 80% of African American Christians across this nation that have a combined membership of over 20 million people and 30,000 congregations. CNBC serves as the vehicle by which our member denominations collaborate in the areas of health, social justice and public policy on behalf of African American communities.

Conference of National Black Churches

thecnbc.net

Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decisions makers to end hunger at home and abroad. Moved by God’s grace in Jesus Christ, we advocate for a world without hunger. Bread works in partnership with churches, campuses, and other organizations to mobilize Christians and others in congressional districts and states. Bread’s goal is to help end hunger by 2030. It believes that everyone must play a part in ending hunger, especially our federal government.

Bread for the World

bread.org

Church World Service was born in the wake of the devastation of World War II. Seventeen Christian denominations came together “to do in partnership what none of us could hope to do as well alone.” Over the decades, the specifics of our programs have shifted and evolved. The CWS family has grown. And our foundation of collaboration and welcome has remained unshakable. We proudly serve as the toolbox that our neighbors near and far use to build healthy, dignified and safe lives.

Church World Service

cwsglobal.org

In 2002, 11 Christian communions pledged to live more closely together in expressing their unity in Christ and combating racism through Churches Uniting in Christ. In the midst of war, terrorism, disasters, economic collapse, strident political polarization, and increasing wealth disparity, these church bodies seek to lead it's communities into a deeper understanding on life and a stronger relationship with Christ. They look forward to a greater public witness of reconciling the baptized and seeking unity with justice.

Churches Uniting in Christ

churchesunitinginchrist.org

The WMC is made up of 80 Methodist, Wesleyan and related Uniting and United Churches representing over 80 million members in 138 countries. It engages, empowers and serves its members by encouraging Methodist unity in witness, facilitating mission in the world, and fostering ecumenical and inter-religious activities. It promotes obedience to the Great Commandment of Jesus Christ to love God and neighbor and to fulfill the Great Commission to make disciples.

World Methodist Council

worldmethodistcouncil.org

Contact

Please utilize the contact information below to reach us about matters related to Ecumencial Issues, Urban Affairs, or Chaplain Endorsement.

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