Its History

The creation of the Journal of Christian Education (formerly the Journal of Religious Education) was the outcome of the vision, faith and endeavors of Dr. Charles William Abington.

As editor-in- chief of Religious Literature, Dr. Abington brought to the Department of Christian Education, new creative and productive ideas which were destined to expand and strengthen the educational ministry of the Church.

How did the birth of this periodical come about?

Dr. Charles W. Abington laid his plan for a publication of the Christian Education Department on the occasion of the Sesqui-Centennial Celebration of the founding of the AME Church held in June 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee. His Advisory Committee, composed mainly of staff writers for the Quarterlies, endorsed the plan enthusiastically. The first issue of the Journal appeared in January 1938. Its original editorial staff consisted of Dr. Charles W. Abington, editor-in- chief; Professor E. A. Selby, managing editor, and Dr. S. S. Morris, associate editor. The original contributing editors were: Dr. Josephus R. Coan, Dr. Frederick D. Jordan (later bishop), Dr. C. E. Mitchell, Mrs. Esther B. Isaacs, Mrs. E. M. Miller, Mrs. LuSybil Taylor, Dr. James A. Valentine, Dr. V. C. Hodges, Dr. L. C. Ridley, Brother Andrew White (later editor -in- chief), Dr. H. Thomas Primm (later bishop), Dr. Charles C. Beckett and Mrs. Bertie DeLyles.

The Journal started as a monthly periodical dedicated to “Light, Freedom, Truth – Light to see the Truth, Freedom to make it known.” From its inception to the present time, the editions of the Journal have supplied a steady stream of informative, stimulating and inspiring resource materials that have promoted Christian education on the local church level and beyond.

From its beginning to the present time, the Journal has been spearheaded by five editors. Dr. Charles W. Abington, the founder, served for eighteen years — from 1938 to 1956. In so doing, he steered the course of the periodical from its infant states to a highly respected and widely read magazine. Dr. Andrew White, who labored side by side with Dr. Abington from the birth of the periodical, and whose articles have greatly enriched its pages, took up where his predecessor left off. He served as chief editor for twenty-four years – from 1956 to 1980. Dr. Edgar L. Mack, served from 1980 to 1991. Dr. Kenneth H. Hill served from 1991 to 2004. From 2004-2016, Dr. Daryl B. Ingram served as the fifth editor. The current and sixth editor is Rev. Garland F. Pierce.

Thanks be to God for the faith, vision, initiative and labors of the chief editors of the Journal of Christian Education.

The Journal is in its 79th year of serving the educational needs of African Methodism.

REQUEST FOR ARTICLES

The editor welcomes unsolicited original articles that address the teaching ministry and its challenges in African Methodism and the broader community. The Journal provides a forum for presentations on religious, educational, social, political, economic, cultural, public policy, and international issues in Christian Education, which promote and fulfill the purpose of the AME Department of Christian Education as stated in The Book of Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

1. All copy must be typed, double-space on one side only of standard 8 ½ x 11-inch-wide bond paper, with one-inch margin on all sides. The copy should be printed on a letter-quality printer on standard paper. Extra wide, continuous feed or line computer papers are not acceptable. It is also helpful to provide submission on a USB flash drive in MS Word. The preferred and most common method of submission is an email with an attachment sent to cedoffice@ameced.com.

2. Style, format, and spelling in The Journal of Christian Education generally are governed by The Chicago Manual Style 17th Edition (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2017) and American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2000).

3. The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) or the Contemporary English Version (CEV) are the preferred Bible translations for The Journal of Christian Education. Authors are responsible for checking the accuracy for all Scripture references and wording of quotations from Scripture.

4. Authors are urged to use inclusive language.

5. The Christian Education Department will immediately disqualify any material deemed to be plagiarized or which contains an infringement on copyrights.

6. Photos/Images must be suitable for print media. Internet images are rarely suitable for offset press printing. Photos must be taken at a high resolution setting in phones, cameras, scanners, etc. Images and photos may also be mailed and we can scan. Please include a self-addressed return envelope; otherwise, images may not be returned.

Articles are accepted for publication consideration at any time. One or more reviewers for evaluation of their significance and soundness will read them. Usually, authors will be notified of acceptance or rejection of their manuscripts within three months. Manuscripts will be returned only if accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

Correspondences should be addressed as follows:
Editor, The Journal of Christian Education
Christian Education Department
African Methodist Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 331947
Nashville, TN 37203
Translate »