TENNESSEE Retirement Service
RETIREMENT SERVICE Order for the Retirement of Preachers The Statement of Purpose Bishop Leath In the Name of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, let us enter into this service of the retirement of preachers from active work in the ministry of the church. Let us pray. The Invocation Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings, with your most gracious favor, and further us with Thy continual help, that in all our work, begun, continued and ended in you, we may glorify your Holy Name, and finally by your mercy obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Presentation of Preacher Annual Conference Secretary Bishop Leath, The Tennessee Annual Conference desires formally to recognize at this session the completion of the active service of one minister. As secretary of the Annual Conference, I present to you this faithful minister for this service of recognition and honor, in appreciation of his untiring labors in the Christian ministry. The Response Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves. (Psalm 126:6) The Statement(s) of Achievement Presiding Elder Sidney F. Bryant Presiding Elder Troy Merritt, Jr. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. (Hebrews 11:1, 2) The Tribute Bishop Leath The Response of the Retirees The Closing Remarks The Benediction 1
Celebrate with The Reverend Michael Broadnax on retiring after more than 35 years of successful ministry The Reverend Michael Broadnax served as an Itinerant elder for over 35 years. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in history from Kentucky State University with a BS in History and Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt University. With over 35 years in fruitful ministry in Tennessee and Kentucky, he pastored 10 different churches. The churches at the end of his active ministry are Bethel AMEC in Knoxville, Greater Bethel AMEC in Nashville and St James in Memphis. 2
Celebrate with The Reverend Earl Long on retiring after more than 20 years of successful ministry The Reverend Earl Long faithfully served as Pastor of St. Matthew Clarksville, St Luke Erin, First. Pegram, Pegram, St. Paul Owensboro, Mt. Juliet, Mt. Zion Charlotte, and Mt. Zion Centerville. By God's Grace and mercy I have served the AME Church. He says, It was my calling to fulfill, now I will continue to do God's will. I have fought the good fight of faith, I have finished my course. He says that the work is all Divine, to God be the Glory now and forever. 3
Celebrate with The Reverend Willis Orr on retiring after more than 25 years of successful ministry The Reverend Willis Orr has served in ministry since his ordination in 1990. His 26 years in active ministry included serving as pastor to Hamilton Chapel AME Church in Gladesviille, Mount Olive AME Church in Lebanon, St. Paul AME Church in Ashland City, Mt. Juliet AME Church in Mount Juliet, Winters Chapel AME in Lebanon, St. Paul AME Church in Oakwood and St. Luke AME Church in Nashville. Rev. Orr received an Associates degree in Christian Education, Bachelor degree of Biblical Studies and Master of Ministry from Emmanuel Bible College. While pastoring at Winters Chapel, he led an extensive renovation. At St. Paul, Oakwood, he was able to burn the mortgage. He received a Certificate of Honor from the Tennessee Lay Organization. 4
Annual Conference Guide and Worship Services 149 th Session of the Tennessee Annual Conference October 20-23, 2016 Lee Chapel AME Church 1200 Dr. D. B. Todd Jr. Blvd Nashville, Tennessee 37208 Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath Presiding Bishop Dr. Susan J. Leath Supervisor, Women s Missionary Society The Reverend Sidney Bryant Host Presiding Elder, North and South Nashville District The Reverend Troy Merritt, Jr. Associate Presiding Elder, Nashville District The Reverend Roderick D. Belin Host Pastor 13th Episcopal District African Methodist Episcopal Church 500 8th Ave South Nashville, TN 37203 615-242-6814 office@ame13.org www.ame13.org