How to Build an Effective Lay Organization:
Training Materials
You must have materials and resources (human/printed) to accomplish this task.
CHECKLIST
- The Bible
- Discipline
- Know Your Church Handbook
- The S.A.T. Manual for African Methodism
- Teachers Guide and Textbook by Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram
- AME Church Connectional Lay Handbook
- Constitution and By-Laws
- A.M.E. Hymnal
- We Speak Connectional Lay Newsletter
- Third District Newsletter "THE THUNDER", published quarterly.
- Christian Recorder
It is highly recommended that the local president subscribe to the Christian Recorder. This bi-weekly newspaper will keep you informed about your church. Cost is $20 per year. Send a check or money order payable to: The AMEC Sunday School Union at the above address.
Use the above checklist to ensure that you have all the resources to teach and train your local congregation.
Leadership must be informed!
Monthly meetings should be held at the local level to discuss those activities from the conference and district levels. A short mini-training session should be held to educate the body on new developments within the organization.
Time for study must be set aside. You should provide time at every meeting to learn - "KNOW YOUR CHURCH". No more than an hour for your business and one hour to learn. Do not overlook your pastor (willing or not) as well as talented individuals within your congregation. Encourage members of the church who do not belong to the lay organization to join you in study. After you get it together, announce on Sunday the topic. Invite non-members to participate in the second hour of study.
Once leadership is informed, it can now work with the pastor to meet the training needs of the church. Informed lay individuals are in short supply in our Church. A teaching ministry is sorely lacking. Why not take on the challenge.
Teaching/training can take many forms. You must do something to make a difference and to fulfill the mission of the lay organization. Examples: workshops, lectures, debates, discussions, tutoring, voter education/registration, volunteering, covered dish seminars, musicals, plays, etc. CONDUCT A SURVEY WITHIN YOUR CONGREGATION. What would they like to know more about? How about the Lay Organization leading the new member class during the 90-day probationary period?
Finally, the lay should look beyond the church and incorporate the needs of your community into your program. This is the true-spirit (self-help) of our founder Richard Allen.
The possibilities are endless for connecting with other churches and social agencies to address needs in the community that ultimately strengthens you as a Christian, the Lay Organization and the African Methodist Episcopal Church.