At the close of the Southern California Annual Conference, Bishop Francine Brookins announced the appointment of Rev. Dr. Timothy E. Tyler as the new pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church of Los Angeles, effective immediately.
Dr. Tyler, 61, comes to First AME from Denver’s historic Shorter Community AME Church, where he served as pastor and built a reputation for combining community development with social activism. He is the son of retired AME Bishop Carolyn E. Tyler Guidry and succeeds Rev. Robert Ryland Shaw II.
Shaw was reassigned to Denver’s Shorter AME, but in an emotionally charged moment before the full conference, appeared to reject the transfer—stepping forward toward Bishop Brookins, motioning discontent, then abruptly turning to walk out with his wife. In response, Bishop Brookins appointed Rev. Roger Richardson to lead Shorter AME in his stead.
Dr. Tyler holds degrees from Morris Brown College, the Interdenominational Theological Center, and a Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary. He has served as adjunct professor of Homiletics at Claremont School of Theology and pastored Johnson Chapel AME in Santa Ana, where his doctoral research shaped a pioneering Hispanic ministry outreach.
Beyond the pulpit, Tyler is recognized for convening the Resist Forward Summit, uniting more than 50 activist groups for training in social justice advocacy. He has served on the Colorado State Clemency Board, received honors from the Urban League of Metropolitan Denver, and was nominated to the 2023 Morehouse College Board of Preachers.
He currently serves as Dean of Instruction for the AME Church’s 5th Episcopal District and is a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He is married to Dr. Dwinita Mosby Tyler, a nationally recognized equity strategist and former Executive Director of Human Resources for the City and County of Denver—the first African American woman to hold that post in the agency’s 63-year history.
The couple has three adult children.