AME Church Lay Organization

The Official Site of the
Pittsburgh Conference Lay Organization
of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

How to Build an Effective Lay Organization:
Lay Everywhere Should Adopt The Ten Commandments of Cood Conduct for Chrisitan Membership

<<Back to Table of Contents

By Rev. Ben H. Hill, DD

  1. I shall make it my bounden duty to be punctual and on time as a sign of love and respect for God.
  2. I shall enter the Lord's house with reverence and avoid all loud and unbecoming conversation as I approach the sanctuary.
  3. I shall not loiter in the lobby of the church, reminding myself that this is the house of God - not a hotel.
  4. I shall take a seat near the Altar and as I take my place I shall breathe a prayer of thanksgiving for my blessing and one of repentance for my sins.
  5. I shall not disturb the meditation of my fellow worshipper by forcing conversation upon him because I know his communion with God is far more valuable than any I can give.
  6. I shall share in every part of the Worship Service by breathing prayer while others pray - reading the Scripture when the Scripture is read, joining in singing where I can and giving my undivided attention at all times.
  7. I shall prepare my offering before I come to service and be ready to share whenever the offering is called for. I know I owe a portion of my substance and it is part of my religion to deal fairly with God in the matter.
  8. I shall pray as the word of God is preached, that my Minister shall have the guidance of the Holy Spirit as he preaches the word, and that I might have a receptive heart to receive the word to my soul's health.
  9. I shall pray for the un-churched when the invitation is extended, by my life and personal witness, seek to constrain them to accept Christ.
  10. I shall wait fore the Benediction as the seal of God's approval. I shall not leave before then except some dire emergency make it mandatory. For to leave earlier would be to dismiss God and discount His Benediction.
  11. And when I leave I shall guard against unnecessary hilarity, making an effort to think soberly on God's message to me this day, and how I might use it in the days ahead. These commandments I shall strive to keep, God being my helper.