African-American Churches Resistance, Survival, Spirituality

African American Christian Denominations AME - African Methodist EpiscopalAME - African Methodist Episcopal AME - African Methodist Episcopal ZionAME - African Methodist Episcopal Zion CME - Christian Methodist EpiscopalCME - Christian Methodist Episcopal –formerly “Colored” BaptistBaptist COGIC - Church of God in Christ Black Episcopalians FBHC - Fire Baptized Holiness Church of Jesus Christ of the Americas Holiness/Pentecostal Traditions

African Americans Christian Traditions Baptists, Methodists, and to a lesser extent Episcopalians sought to convert AfricansBaptists, Methodists, and to a lesser extent Episcopalians sought to convert Africans –Episcopalian was introduced circa 1620 –African Methodism started in 1787 –Baptist churches had African membership around 1772.

The Black Baptist The slave preacher was a prominent role in early Black Baptist history.The slave preacher was a prominent role in early Black Baptist history. Over a period of time more and more Africans became Baptists.Over a period of time more and more Africans became Baptists. One of the early Black Baptist preachers was George Liele if Georgia.One of the early Black Baptist preachers was George Liele if Georgia. He assembled one of the first African American Baptist congregations in North America at Yama Craw near Savannah.He assembled one of the first African American Baptist congregations in North America at Yama Craw near Savannah.

Early on history The African American Baptist churches were organized into either “single-purpose entities” called societies or “multipurpose entities” called conventions/denominations.The African American Baptist churches were organized into either “single-purpose entities” called societies or “multipurpose entities” called conventions/denominations. The main purpose of the societies was to evangelize Africa.The main purpose of the societies was to evangelize Africa. As a result Baptist had quite a bit of missionary activity.As a result Baptist had quite a bit of missionary activity.

Societies and Conventions unite In 1840 American Baptist Missionary Convention (ABMC) at Abyssinian Baptist Church of NY was the first multipurpose organization to develop.In 1840 American Baptist Missionary Convention (ABMC) at Abyssinian Baptist Church of NY was the first multipurpose organization to develop. The Northwestern and Southern Baptist Convention (NWSBC) was reconstituted as the Western Colored Baptist Convention in 1864.The Northwestern and Southern Baptist Convention (NWSBC) was reconstituted as the Western Colored Baptist Convention in

The convention was made up of churches from Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee.The convention was made up of churches from Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee.

ABMC and NWSBC unite In Richmond VA of 1867 ABMC and the NWSBC joined to form the Consolidated American Baptist Missionary Convention (CABMC)In Richmond VA of 1867 ABMC and the NWSBC joined to form the Consolidated American Baptist Missionary Convention (CABMC) Although the CABMC was at best a loose federation of churches some within the arrangement attempted to coalesce into a more integrative Church.Although the CABMC was at best a loose federation of churches some within the arrangement attempted to coalesce into a more integrative Church.

Resistance to Change Some in the “arrangement” resisted change and saw their particular constituents loosing power as opposed to helping the interests of the black Baptist.Some in the “arrangement” resisted change and saw their particular constituents loosing power as opposed to helping the interests of the black Baptist. At the convention 1879 of the CABMC voted to disband although some had desired the CABMC to become “a Church with the soul of the nation.”At the convention 1879 of the CABMC voted to disband although some had desired the CABMC to become “a Church with the soul of the nation.”

Black Baptist Organizations In 1880 the Baptist Foreign Mission Convention (BFMC) was founded; however, they operated more like a society despite its name with foreign missions being their primary goal.In 1880 the Baptist Foreign Mission Convention (BFMC) was founded; however, they operated more like a society despite its name with foreign missions being their primary goal. The American National Baptist Convention (ANBC) was founded in 1886 which was formed along the convention model.The American National Baptist Convention (ANBC) was founded in 1886 which was formed along the convention model.

Black Baptist Organizations (con.) In 1892 the National Baptist Educational Convention (NBEC); it grew out of the ANBC committee to establish a National Baptist University whose purpose was to develop educated black Baptist clergy.In 1892 the National Baptist Educational Convention (NBEC); it grew out of the ANBC committee to establish a National Baptist University whose purpose was to develop educated black Baptist clergy. Often these organizations would meet in the same city and have their meetings at the same time.Often these organizations would meet in the same city and have their meetings at the same time.

National Baptist Convention NBC The BFMC, ANBC and the NBEC met in Atlanta in 1895 to join and form the National Baptist Convention.The BFMC, ANBC and the NBEC met in Atlanta in 1895 to join and form the National Baptist Convention.

Multiply by Dividing The group had its first schism in 1897 when some members complained about certain issues in the new denomination and a group formed the “single purpose Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention.”The group had its first schism in 1897 when some members complained about certain issues in the new denomination and a group formed the “single purpose Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention.” In 1915 some members wanted to incorporate the group others did not; this created another schism.In 1915 some members wanted to incorporate the group others did not; this created another schism.

More Divisions The National Baptist Publishing Board (NBPB) was incorporated in 1898.The National Baptist Publishing Board (NBPB) was incorporated in The National Baptist Educational Board (NBEB) was incorporated in 1902.The National Baptist Educational Board (NBEB) was incorporated in The Benefit Board was incorporated in 1912.The Benefit Board was incorporated in The leader of the NBPB thought that the incorporation of the NBC was an attempted to seize the property of the NBPB; he broke away with other black Baptists in 1915.The leader of the NBPB thought that the incorporation of the NBC was an attempted to seize the property of the NBPB; he broke away with other black Baptists in

Rival Group The defection opposed incorporation of the NBC and formed another convention.The defection opposed incorporation of the NBC and formed another convention. The result was National Baptist Convention of America, Unincorporated, and the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Incorporated.The result was National Baptist Convention of America, Unincorporated, and the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Incorporated.

Progress Comes at a Price In 1960 certain members advocated that the Convention be used to assist in the Civil Rights movement. When one of the advocates ran for presidency he was defeated. The “progressives”, as they were known which included such clergy as MLK, Garner C Taylor, although defeated formed their own group called the Progressive National Baptist Convention in September of 1961.In 1960 certain members advocated that the Convention be used to assist in the Civil Rights movement. When one of the advocates ran for presidency he was defeated. The “progressives”, as they were known which included such clergy as MLK, Garner C Taylor, although defeated formed their own group called the Progressive National Baptist Convention in September of