Official Statements

Official positions and statements issued by the Board of Bishops of The AME Zion Church on significant societal and church issues.

The Board of Bishops of The AME Zion Church serves as the spiritual and administrative foundation of the denomination, issuing official statements that reflect the church's commitment to justice, unity, and Christian witness. These declarations address the pressing moral and social issues of our time, drawing from the rich heritage of Wesleyan theology and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion tradition. Each statement is prayerfully considered and grounded in Scripture, seeking to guide the faithful in navigating complex societal challenges while remaining anchored in the gospel. The bishops speak not only to the church but to the wider world, offering a prophetic voice that calls for righteousness, reconciliation, and compassion in every generation.

The annual gatherings of the bishops and the wider church community provide a sacred space for discernment and collective decision-making. During these sessions, held in cities across the connection, the leadership reflects on the state of the church and the world, issuing pastoral letters and public statements that articulate the denomination's stance on matters ranging from civil rights to family life. These meetings are marked by worship, prayer, and thoughtful deliberation, ensuring that every word released carries the weight of shared conviction. The result is a body of official communications that both comforts the afflicted and challenges the comfortable, urging all Zionites to live out their faith with courage and integrity.

Throughout its long history, The AME Zion Church has consistently spoken into the public square, standing alongside movements for freedom and human dignity. The official statements from the Board of Bishops continue this legacy, addressing contemporary issues such as economic inequality, racial justice, and the sanctity of life. These pronouncements are not merely political but deeply pastoral, recognizing that the church's mission extends beyond the sanctuary walls into every arena of human existence. By issuing clear, principled guidance, the bishops equip the membership to engage the world with wisdom and grace, demonstrating that the love of Christ compels both personal piety and social holiness.

The process of crafting an official statement involves careful study, consultation, and prayer across the episcopal leadership. Bishops draw upon the insights of theologians, educators, and lay leaders within the connection to ensure that each declaration is both biblically sound and contextually relevant. The statements are then disseminated to churches, conferences, and departments throughout the denomination, serving as resources for preaching, teaching, and community action. This collaborative approach reflects the connectional nature of the AME Zion Church, where unity in purpose and diversity in perspective combine to produce a witness that is faithful, timely, and transformative for the life of the church and the world.

Recent Statements

Board of Bishops Issue Official Statement Regarding Supreme Court Ruling on Marriage Equality

Special to The Star

June 29, 2015

On June 29, 2015, the Board of Bishops of The AME Zion Church released an official statement in response to the Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality. The statement reaffirmed the Church's longstanding position on human sexuality and the institution of marriage.

"And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."

The Board of Bishops called upon the Church to remain steadfast in its doctrinal commitments while extending pastoral care and compassion to all people.

About Official Statements

The Board of Bishops of The AME Zion Church periodically issues official statements addressing matters of faith, public policy, and social concern. These statements reflect the collective discernment of the denomination's episcopal leadership and serve as guidance for clergy and laity across the connection.

Statements are published here as they are released. For additional coverage of church news and episcopal district events, visit the News section.