WS Chronicle

By Timothy Ramsey

The Chronicle

As many of those in the religious community know, the Methodist Church has the ability to reassign pastors on a yearly basis.  The Rev. Dr. Carl Manuel has been reassigned to Burkhead United Methodist Church for another year.

Manuel is the first African-American pastor in the history of the church.  In the short time Manuel has been with Burkhead, he has totally integrated himself into the community at large.  According to Manuel, pastors normally stay at a church for around four or five years, in most cases.

“It has been a very exciting year for me and my members being that last year I made history in being the first African-American pastor to ever serve here,” he said.  “They were involved with some community activities, but I have engaged them with programs with the school system and issues and concerns around the city of Winston-Salem.”

Manuel spoke with The Chronicle upon his arrival and one of his main goals was to reach a younger demographic to bring into the church because of the advanced age of many members. 

“We have had some growth and one of my goals is to reach out to the millennials and bring them on board,” said Manuel.  “I have spoken with several young people that said they were interested in becoming members here.”

“Burkhead is a very loving church, a church where the members tithe 100 percent even when they are out of town or on vacation.  It is also a church that has a great concern for the community.”

For his second year at Burkhead, Manuel says he will collaborate with churches of different denominations to put together a Thanksgiving celebration so people can get a glimpse of each other’s worship style.

Manuel says he was very happy to have the opportunity to stay at Burkhead for another year

“In the United Methodist system, I personally feel the appointments have its plus and minuses,” he said.  “The plus is you don’t stay long enough to where the people might get tired of you, the minus is once you get used to people and they get used to you, you have to start from ground zero.

“This has been a very good appointment for me, the members of Burkhead and the city of Winston-Salem,” he said.

Working in the community was another goal Manuel said he wanted to achieve upon his arrival in the city a year ago.  He has worked with the local minster’s conference and has been out front on several issues, including the mold issue at Ashley Elementary.  He is the co-chairman for the education committee for the conference.

“It’s my pleasure to be able to serve in the community, and when I first got here, I went to the conference because I wanted to be active in the city,” he said.  “It has been very challenging but I enjoy serving, especially with the situation at Ashley.”

Manuel also was appointed to the United Methodist Board of Ordained Ministry by the local bishop.  That board prepares pastors for ministry in the United Methodist Church.

“I will be charged with the clergy that will be up for ordination for deacons and elders,” Manuel said.