The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church was formed in 1870 as the result of an amicable agreement between white and black members of the former Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
At the time of Emancipation, there were more than 200,000 black slave members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Following the American Civil War, all but about 80,000 of them had joined one of two black Methodist bodies, the African Methodist Episcopal Church or the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
The remaining black members asked for permission to form a church of their own. With support of white sponsors, this request was granted, and the new church body was originally called the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America, adopting its current name in 1954.
The doctrine of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is Methodist, although its organizational structure differs somewhat from its parent denomination. Elected by delegates, bishops serve as administrative superintendents for the denomination and, if reelected, may serve up until the retirement age of seventy-four. Bishops also appoint clergy to serve local churches as pastors, perform ordinations, and monitor the doctrine and discipline of the body.
The primary beliefs of the CME are enumerated in the Methodist Articles of Religion.The Bible was written by human beings who were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
There is one true God. Within the unity of the Godhead are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, In the Incarnation, Christ was very God and very man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He died for the sins of mankind, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity.
Mankind fell into sin through Adam and Eve. Salvation is made possible only through the grace of God. True Christians receive a witness from the Holy Spirit, who assures them that they are children of God. However, it is possible for Christians to reject the grace of God, thereby losing their salvation.
The Church consists of the people of God. Its government is Episcopal, with bishops overseeing the denomination. The General Conference of the CME is the highest legislative authority. Within the CME, women can be ordained as pastors, elders, and deacons.
Baptism and the Lord's Supper are the sacraments of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Through baptism, the believer is incorporated into Christ by death, burial, and resurrection. Children, youth, and adults may be baptized, and the mode of baptism can be by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. When infants are baptized, parents commit to raising the child in Christian nurture and support. In the Lord's Supper, the bread and the cup represent a memorial of Christ's sacrifice, and bear the presence of Christ.
The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church promotes a form of Christian perfectionism. The denomination teaches that a perfect, sinless life is possible, although it has never been attained. Every Christian is encouraged to strive for perfection.
Typically, in CME services, there is a responsive reading from Scripture. Although Bible passages are not arranged by topic, responsive readings are. A single responsible reading may consist of excerpts from several Bible passages. Responsive readings are published in The Hymnal of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, which includes both hymns and responsive readings.
Since the early 1900s, the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church has considered mergers with other African-American Methodist denominations, including the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, but proposals have not yet been approved in annual conferences.
The CME Church is in full communion with the United Methodist Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the African Union Methodist Protestant Church, and the Union American Methodist Episcopal Church.
The focus of this category is the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Denominational websites, as well as CME Church conferences, associations, fellowships, publishing companies, colleges, seminaries, and other organizations are on-topic in this category, as are informational sites that have a focus on the CME Church. Local church sites should be submitted to the Local & Global category representing the congregation's location, however.
Recommended Resources
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Also known as the CME Church, the historically black denominations was organized in Jackson, Tennessee in 1870. The denominational website offers a history and profile of the denomination, a list of member churches, with contacts and web addresses, as well as a liturgical calendar, a stewardess liturgical calendar, and administrative contacts. Its church structure, ministries, and affiliated organizations are featured.
http://www.thecmechurch.org/
Fifth Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, the Fifth District is made up of four regions in the states of Alabama and Florida, those being the Birmingham Region, the Florida Region, the North Central Alabama Region, and the Southeast Alabama Region. Member churches are identified, along with newsletters, updates, forms, and a calendar of events. The bishop is introduced, and administrative contacts are included.
http://www.cmefifthdistrict.org/
Maintained by the Department of Publications for the CME Church Publishing House, created in 1870, the online bookstore carries a variety of religious books and Bibles with various translations, church supplies, choir and clerical robes, including the Christian Index. A history of the publishing company and bookstore is given, and its products are highlighted and are available for purchase online. Subscriptions to the Christian Index may also be made.
http://www.cmepublishinghouse.com/
Ninth Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Based in Los Angeles, California, the Ninth District includes CME Church facilities in five regions, Alaska-Pacific, Arizona-New Mexico, Northern California, Oklahoma, and Southern California. General information about the denomination and district are presented, along with an introduction to the district’s bishop, announcements, and a calendar of events. A directory of churches, ministers, and presiding elders is included.
http://www.ninthdistrictcme.org/
Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the Phillips School of Theology is part of the Interdenominational Theological Center, and the seminary of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, offering the Master of Divinity, Doctor of Ministry, Doctor of Theology Pastoral Counseling, and the Master of Arts in Christian Education degrees. Its admissions policies, goals, and areas of evaluation are outlined, along with its academic programs.
http://www.phillipsschooloftheology.org/
