About Us

Created in 1992, “the mission of African Methodist Episcopal Women in Ministry (WIM) is to define, enhance, support, and expand the presence of women in ministry and in leadership in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.” We are the daughters of The Reverend Jarena Lee, who in 1811, was “dismissed on the matter of preaching” by Bishop Richard Allen. Although Reverend Lee was the first woman authorized to preach in the AME Church, she was posthumously ordained in 2016. We are the daughters of Sarah Ann Hughes, who in 1885, was ordained to the office of deacon by Bishop Henry McNeal Turner, but whose ordination was rescinded by the 1888 General Conference. 

 

One hundred thirty-seven years after The Reverend Jarena Lee’s preaching dismissal, the General Conference finally passed legislation to ordain women to the office of Local Deacon in 1948, Local Elder in 1956, and Itinerant Elder in 1960. We are the daughters of Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, who, eight years after the founding of the AME/WIM, shattered the stained-glass ceiling when she was elected and consecrated as the first woman bishop in the AME Church. We are the daughters of Bishops Guidry, Davis, Byfield and Brookins who have shown us how to fly against the wind so that we will continue to soar to higher heights. 

As a WIM, you have the prayers and support of a community that believes in the mission of AME/WIM. With God's help, great things will be accomplished – especially when we work together as a team. How rewarding it is that we have each other with whom we may share and learn as we fulfill our individual and collective purposes. This is consistent with our Connectional Theme, “Walking in Strength: Iron Sharpening Iron” and the scriptural support passage: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17 NIV).” 

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As WIM we seek to:

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1. To recognize and support women in ministry as an integral part of the AME Church.

2. To raise the consciousness of the AME Church on women’s issues.

3. To address the issue of sexism in the AME Church.

4. To work to expand leadership opportunities for women in ministry in leadership in the AME Church.

5. To support women in the pastoral ministry.

6. To affirm specialized ministries including but not limited to:  chaplaincy, writing, teaching, counseling, research, prison, youth, geriatric, singles, street, health care, family/life relations, music, homeless, HIV/AIDS and religious education ministries.

7. To encourage academic training for the ministry.

8. To sponsor an International conference at least once during each quadrennial.

9. To support and provide assistance and outreach to women in ministry in the Fourteenth through Twentieth Episcopal Districts.

10. To compile a complete an accurate record of all women in ministry in the AME church

11. To foster and develop relationships with people and entities that will assist in furthering the objectives described herein.

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    Over the past four decades, AME/WIM has pursued its mission of defining, enhancing, supporting and expanding the presence of women in ministry in the leadership of the A.M.E. Church.  AME/WIM celebrates the increasing number of women in ministry in the AMEC; the diversities of ministries which they are performing; the appointment of women to the pastorate, and to major charges; the number of women clergy holding Annual Conference offices such as Dean of the Board of Examiners and serving on the Board; membership on committees such as the Finance Committee; the inclusion of women as worship leaders, preachers and teachers at Conferences and Connectional meetings; the growing number of female Presiding Elders; the seating of women in the General Board; and the greater presence of women in the Episcopal District delegations to the General Conference. 

 

Rev. Dr. Marcia Allen Owens, 2021

The AME Church, The AME Church, The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 2016 (Nashville: AMEC Sunday School Union, 2016), 540.