Welcome To Salem AME Church NEW MEMBERS CLASS Word From Your Pastor . 2 About Your Salvation . 3 Where Do We Go From Here? . 5 Salem 157 Year History . 6 About Salem AME Church . 7 Salem Ame Church Organizational Chart. 9 Receiving Full Membership . 10 Holy Sacraments & Communion . 10 AME Church History . 12 People Of The Anvil . 14 AME Church Structure - We’re All Connected! . 16 25 Articles Of Religion . 17 Why We Tithe. 20 Fundamental Principles Of Christian Stewardship . 20 Explanation Of Envelope . 21 Appendix A . 22 Appendix B . 24
P a g e | 2 WORD FROM YOUR PASTOR Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ; I would first like to take this time to welcome you to Salem AME Church. In the Bible Salem is the place where Melchizedek was King (Genesis 14:18). Melchizedek achieves legendary status in the Bible, also because the town called Salem is renamed at some point, and becomes known as Jerusalem. According to Psalm 76:2 God’s tabernacle is in Salem. Salem concurs with the Hebrew verb םלש (shalem) meaning to be COMPLETE, SOUND, and the familiar noun םולש (shalom), meaning PEACE. Here at Salem, the Little Church with the BIG Heart, we believe that the Bible is the true and infallible Word of God. 2 Tim 3:16 states “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction, for instruction in righteousness”. We are a teaching church: The Bible says our people perish because of the lack of knowledge . 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show ourselves approved unto God, workmen that needeth not to be ashamed (rightly dividing the word of truth). We are a praying church: We are to pray without ceasing . James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. We are a tithing church: Bring the whole Tithe (10% of income) into the storehouse (church) Mal 3:10-11 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for our sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. We believe in ministering to the needs of our people: Spirit, Soul & Body. . 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. When you finish your new members’ class, I would strongly suggest that you first of all involve yourself in one of the teaching ministries of the church, Thursday evening Bible Study, or Sunday morning Church School. Then involve yourself with one of the auxiliaries or ministries as the Lord leads you. Once again, Welcome to Salem AME Church and remember that we are family in Christ Jesus. Love Your Shepherd, Rev. Lisa M. Williams
P a g e | 3 ABOUT YOUR SALVATION This lesson is designed to help you understand and more clearly define “Your Salvation”. Salvation is the greatest and most precious gift that you will ever receive. Let’s take this time to find out more about your salvation; what it actually means to be BORN AGAIN. What better place to start than at the beginning. Please turn to Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the earth.” Isaiah 45:18 explains that “God established the world from the beginning and He did not create it to be empty”. Obviously, something happened between verses 1 and 2 of Genesis because the beautiful world that God created is now formless and void, and darkness is over the surface of the deep. What happened? For the answer we look in Isaiah 14:12-17 and also Ezekiel 28:11-19. To paraphrase what these two passages of scripture say, Satan was the anointed cherub in heaven. Pride filled his heart and he decided that he wanted to be as high as God, but God cannot and will not share His glory with anyone. Satan was cast down to earth. John 10:10 describes who Satan is, how he is the thief that comes to kill, steal and destroy. When Satan was cast down to the earth, he destroyed the beautiful planet that God had created from the beginning. Let us continue to read Genesis 1:2. The latter part of the verse indicates the Spirit of God was moving and anytime the Spirit of God moves, God is getting ready to do something. What did He do? He spoke in verse 3, “And God said”. When you speak, you make words. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” John 1:14 states that the “Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” that Word was Jesus, the only begotten Son of the Father. Right from the beginning it was God the Father, the Holy Spirit and Jesus the Word made flesh. FATHER, SON & HOLY GHOST We see God (Holy Trinity) from the beginning: FATHER In the beginning GOD Genesis 1:1 SPIRIT And the SPIRIT of GOD Genesis 1:2 SON And GOD SAID (the WORD) Genesis 1:3 He spoke and there was vegetation, the sun and the moon, fish in the sea, birds in the sky and beasts in the field. God saw all that He had created and said it was good. However, there was something missing in creation and that was mankind. So God spoke again and said, “Let US make man in our image after OUR likeness” (Genesis 1:26). The definition of the word image is an identical likeness, indistinguishable from the original sin. When God created the first man
P a g e | 4 Adam, he was perfect just like God - in His image. Just as God is a three-tiered being (Father, Son & Holy Ghost) in one God, so man is a three-tiered being - spirit, soul and body in one man. SPIRIT: The spirit of man is who we really are, the part of us that knows and communicates with God SOUL: The soul of man is our mind/intellect, will and emotions BODY: The body of man is the part that touches the physical, our outer shell. Continuing in Genesis 1:26, not only was man in the image of God, but God gave man dominion (rule and authority). Dominion over what? Dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the beasts of the field, over all the earth and everything that creeps upon the earth. Earlier I showed you where Satan crept upon the earth between Genesis 1:1 & Genesis 1:2, that means that man had authority even over Satan. God had given Adam and Eve authority over everything in the Garden of Eden. However, there was one commandment that God gave Adam, he could eat from any tree but from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. For in the day he eats, he would surely die. We know that Adam did eat of the tree and we know that he did not die physically or mentally that day. What part of Adam died? His spirit died, so now there was no part of Adam to communicate with and fully know God. Romans 5:12 states . “by one-man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death (spiritual) by sin; . for that all have sinned”. Spiritual death was passed to all mankind because of the sin of Adam. Jesus came into the world as the last Adam to get us out of the mess (sinful state) the first Adam got us into. 1 Cor 15:45-49: So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is (the Lord) of heaven. This passage of scripture is a comparison of Adam and Jesus (the last Adam). The first Adam was disobedient when he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and spiritual death spread to all mankind. Jesus, the last Adam, was obedient and died on calvary’s tree. Galatians 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangs on a tree. Jesus is a quickening (life giving Spirit). When we receive Him as Lord and Savior He gives life to our spirit that was dead because of the first Adam and your spirit is now Born Again If you want to receive this gift of Salvation repeat this prayer: Jesus, come into my heart, forgive me of my sins, let me never be the same again. I turn my back on the world. I turn my back to sin. I give you my life right now. Help me fulfill everything you have called me to do. I thank you that I’m now forgiven and on my way to Heaven. In Jesus’ Precious Name, AMEN
P a g e | 5 WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? Building a Closer Relationship With God When you have completed your New Members classes, what is the next step on your journey toward a closer relationship with God? You will find the learning arms available to assist you in your growth as a Christian. 1. Attend A Learning Arm Of The Church Bible Study meets on Thursday evenings beginning at 7pm and ending no later than 8:30pm. Church School meets every Sunday from 10-11am. There are classes offered for all ages. 2. Read Your Bible Daily Review Sunday & Wednesday’s scripture lessons if you need a place to start. Set aside a specific time slot every day, otherwise YOU will never have, the time. 3. Get Involved in Church Ministries and Activities Salem A.M.E. has many growing ministries which need volunteer workers. Complete a Volunteer Vision Worker application form and return it to the church office or hand it to any Salem officer. SUGGESTED READING How To Be a Growing Christian by Bennie Goodwin Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren Concerning Spiritual Gifts - Kenneth Hagan Black Presence in the Bible by Rev, Walter A. McCray AVAILABLE AT THE FIRST DISTRICT BOOKSTORE Know Your Church History of A.M.E. The Life Experience and Gospel Labors of The Rt. Rev. Richard Allen
P a g e | 6 SALEM 157 YEAR HISTORY Salem African Methodist Episcopal Church’s history can be traced back several years before its founding date of 1860. Salem A.M.E. Church is not just the oldest African American Church in the Roslyn area, but it is also the oldest church in the community. Its founders were descendants of slaves and American Indians. Prior to the 1860 purchase of the current site, the worshipers gathered for what was known as “cottage meetings. As the need for a permanent meeting place grew, along with their foresight and sacrifice, the original group of worshipers were led to purchase a portion of the Leonard Thome Estate. The members cleared the land and used the lumber from the numerous trees on the site to erect the edifice that has been in continuous use from that time to the present. Their strong faith, hard work and the continual blessings of God have kept Salem viable and strong for 157 years. Salem has always been a family oriented congregation. Family names like Peters, Pearsall, Hicks, Sands, Eato, Johnson, Mayhew, Bidale, Millers, Wise, Jackson and Helms are still remembered; not only for their sacrifice and dedication to Christ and His Church, but also because of the active participation of their descendants in Salem. Descendants such as Henrietta Peters, “Aunt” Lottie Jackson, Florence Stone, “Mother Julia Helms”, and “Mother Leola Harris”, are all greatly admired for their sacrifices and faithfulness to our beloved church. In 1994 the Reverend Harding Dunlop was appointed Pastor and served until his retirement in 2011. Under his leadership, Salem’s edifice was extended thirty feet and renovated to include a new kitchen and bathrooms, new roof, steeple and computerized chimes, central air conditioning, and beautiful stained-glass windows. In 2010, the Reverend Jacqueline Lynch, became the second female Pastor (Rev. Jacobs first female Pastor-served 1 year). Under Rev. Lynch’s leadership, Salem restored its adult Sunday school class, weekly Bible Study and Prayer services. Additionally, an Annual Good Friday and Candle Light service was added to Salem’s worship experience. Former Pastors of Salem AME Church include: Reverends Duval, Douglas, Wilson, Wallace, Beavers, McCoy, Jemmott, Griffin, Leak, Stewart, Jacobs, Harmon, Dunlop, Lynch and Gibson. Through many of their tenures, the Reverend Clarence Pollard ably served as Assistant to the Pastor. On January 7, 2018, Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram appointed Reverend Lisa Williams, Pastor With God’s continual blessings, Salem will continue to serve as a beacon of Hope and Love in the Roslyn Community. “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV
P a g e | 7 ABOUT SALEM AME CHURCH Salem African Methodist Church is known as “The Little Church With the BIG Heart”, where the members believe in edifying and uplifting fellow members as well as the those in the community, to win souls for the kingdom and build dedicated Christian Disciples. It is with this in mind that we aspire to the following organizational Core Values: BE A BELIEVABLE BELIEVER As believers especially in leadership we aspire to hold the word of God as our ultimate guide for Standard Operating Procedures. We believe in demonstrating the word of God in thought, spoken word and deed and carrying out each task with a standard of demonstrated excellence. UNDERSTAND AND BE UNDERSTOOD As believers we affirm the scripture, “be all things to all men in order that we may win some”. We understand that people come from all walks of life and experiences when they fellowship with our church. We celebrate people’s uniqueness and the gifts that they bring to the ministry. As a result, we make a concerted effort to communicate with all people with clarity, consistency, confidentiality, common courtesy, concern and caring customer service. INTRODUCE, INITIATE, INVOLVE, INTEREST We make every effort to introduce ourselves to the world, community and one another as followers of Christ and members of this fellowship. Our goal is to make everyone who comes to our church feel welcome, known and a part of the ministry. We commit to being involved in the life of the church understanding that circumstances in life may at times affect some member’s level of involvement, however prayer for the church mission should never be compromised. We also commit to help others to become actively involved in the life of the church for we believe that it builds Christian character and discipleship. We commit to take an interest in other people both members and non-members who come through our church doors. This means understanding what is important to others, their dreams and goals and make every effort to build them up towards their God given purpose, as well as, being there for others in their time of need. This interest should not be confused with being intrusive in anyone’s life but rather a respectful concern about what is important to each individual. LIFT, LEAD, LOVE • In all we do in church business, fellowship or worship, we commit to lift up the name of Jesus first and then lift up (encourage) our brothers and sisters.
P a g e | 8 • We commit to be led by God in all things. This means praying for God’s wisdom in all that we do and before we approach and work with others. We commit to lead others by example. This means that we never ask anyone else to do anything we would not do ourselves, but rather we take on an attitude of service as Jesus did. • We understand that God is love and therefore we must show God’ love in all we do. DEDICATED, DEVOTED, DOWNRIGHT – DO RIGHT CHRISTIAN • We are committed to be dedicated in all that we do for Christ in life and in this fellowship. This means being consistent with meetings, programs and finishing tasks. • We commit to be devoted to the teaching of Christ and His word and be consistent with our Bible study, praise and prayer time. • We commit to uphold the highest caliber of ethical and moral Christian Values. CORE VALUES FOR LEADERS VISION: We are a church of vision and promise and commit to being a supportive vision community. This means getting behind the visionary and supporting the vision set forth to the Shepherd by God for this house. SOLUTION-ORIENTED: We are a solution-oriented church. This means when confronted with obstacles we always focus on solutions rather than the problem. EXCELLENCE We commit our work to God and do all things with an expected level of excellence. CANI (Continuous and Never-Ending Improvement) We constantly seek ways to do what we do better. EDUCATION / TRAINING According to God’s word “Study to show thyself approved” we promote and encourage on- going education and training in every aspect of ministry. STEWARDSHIP According to God’s word we are the head and not the tail; the lenders and not the borrowers. To this end we commit to holding up the values of stewardship, tithing and giving. MODEL FOR LEADERSHIP We commit to modeling excellent, visible leadership in the congregation and demonstrating an attitude of service.
P a g e | 9 SALEM AME CHURCH ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
P a g e | 10 RECEIVING FULL MEMBERSHIP The ceremony for the right-hand of fellowship is held every third (3rd) Sunday of the month. All persons having completed the New Members class are entitled to be presented to the Pastor, church officers and congregation for the purposes of granting full membership. They will be led through the questions for membership and after successful completion of these questions, will be granted full membership and the right-hand of fellowship. See Appendix A for more information HOLY SACRAMENTS & COMMUNION BAPTISM Baptism is the symbolic ritual of being washed clean of all sins and made a new being in Christ. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has passed away, behold the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. Many new members, with Christian experience or recent converts wish to confirm this period of a new beginning with baptism. African Methodist ministers are ordained to baptize with water by “sprinkling, pouring or immersion”. Baptism is a sacrament of the church which we encourage every born-again believer to embrace as an outward sign of inward purity. At Salem, baptism classes are taught every Wednesday before the 3rd Sunday on an as- needed basis, so you must register with the office to alert us of your intention with regard to baptism COMMUNION Holy Communion is known by various names, the Eucharist, The Lord’s Supper and Holy Communion. It is symbolic of our remembrance of Jesus’ suffering on the cross, His forgiveness of our sins and His resurrection. Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24-25. Holy Communion is a term that reminds us that we are all part of the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:27. Participation in this meal unites us with the living Christ within ourselves,
P a g e | 11 one another and with the Lord. We recognize Jesus and His presence within those with whom we share this meal. The Eucharist refers to Thanksgiving. A partaking in the Lord’s Supper reminds us that Jesus made a provision for us to enter Heaven by dying on the cross. We also remember God’s promise that Christ will return again soon. Communion is given every first Sunday at Salem during our morning worship services. Every believer should to be a partaker of the sacrament of communion. 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he 24 was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my 25 body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink 26 it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim 27 the Lord’s death until he comes. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For 29 anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. General Confession: Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, Judge of all people, we acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness which we from time to time most grievously have committed by thought, word, and deed against the Divine Majesty, provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous unto us. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father, for your Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake; forgive us all that is past, and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in the newness of life, to the honor and glory of your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN REFERENCES: Materials for Growth in Christian Faith and Life - Discipleship Resources, Nashville, TN Your Church and You - AMEC Sunday School Union
P a g e | 12 AME CHURCH HISTORY OUR LEGACY Bishop Bishop Bishop Bishop Richard Allen Daniel Payne Henry Turner Paul Quinn The Bishops Council of 1887 The African Methodist Episcopal Church (“AMEC”) grew out of the Free African Society (FAS), which Richard Allen, Absalom Jones and others established in Philadelphia in 1787. When officials at St. George’s MEC pulled blacks off their knees while praying, FAS members discovered just how far American Methodists would go to enforce racial discrimination against African Americans. Hence, these members of St. George’s made plans to transform their mutual aid society into an African congregation. Although most wanted to affiliate with the Protestant Episcopal Church, Allen led a small group who resolved to remain Methodists. In 1794 Bethel AMWE was dedicated with Allen as pastor. To establish Bethel’s independence for interfering white Methodists, Allen, a former Delaware slave, successfully sued in the Pennsylvania courts in 1807 and 1815 for the rights of his congregation to exist as an independent institution. Because black Methodists in other middle Atlantic communities encountered racism and desired religious autonomy, Allen called them to meet in Philadelphia to form a new Wesleyan denomination, the A.M.E.
P a g e | 13 The geographic spread of the AMEC prior to the Civil War was mainly restricted to the Northeast and Midwest. Major congregations were established in Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington DC, Cincinnati, Chicago, Detroit and other large cities. Numerous northern communities also gained a substantial AME presence. Remarkably, the slave states of Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri, and Louisiana and for a few years, South Carolina became additional locations for AME congregations. The denomination reached the Pacific Coast in the early 1850’s with churches in Stockton, Sacramento, San Francisco and other places in California. Moreover, Bishop Morris Brown established the Canada Annual Conference. The most significant era of denominational development occurred during the Civil War and Reconstruction. Often times with the permission of Union army officials, AME clergy moved into the states of the collapsing Confederacy to pull newly freed slaves into their denomination. “I seek My Brethren”, the title of an often-repeated sermon that Theophilus G. Steward preached in South Carolina, became a clarion call to evangelize fellow blacks in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Texas and many other parts of the south. Hence, in 1880 AME membership reached 400,000 because of its rapid spread below the Mason-Dixon line. When Bishop Henry M. Turner pushed African Methodism across the Atlantic into Liberia and Sierra Leone in 1891 and into South Africa in 1896, the AME now laid claim to members on two continents. While the AME is doctrinally Methodist, clergy, scholars and laypersons have written important works, which demonstrate the distinctive theology, and praxis, which have defined this Wesleyan body. Bishop Benjamin W. Arnett, in an address to the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions, reminded the audience of the presence of blacks in the formation of Christianity. Bishop Benjamin T. Tanner wrote in 1895 in “The color of Solomon” - that biblical scholars wrongly portrayed the son of David as a white man. In the post-civil rights era theologians James H. Cone, Cecil W. Cone and Jacqueline Grant who came out of the AME tradition critiqued Euro-centric Christianity and African American churches for their shortcomings in fully impacting the plight of those oppressed by racism, sexism and economic disadvantage. For more information about the AME Church History, see the “Know Your Church Book”
P a g e | 14 PEOPLE OF THE ANVIL The African Methodist Episcopal Church began in protest, was born in prayer at the altar, and was shaped on the anvil of God in a blacksmith shop. We Are the People of the Anvil AFRICAN: means that the church was organized by people of African descent and heritage. It does not mean that the church was founded in Africa or that it is for people of African descent only. It does mean that those Americans who founded it were of African descent, and we proudly recognize this fact. METHODIST: refers to the church’s membership in the family of Methodist churches. Richard Allen, the founder and first active bishop, felt that the form and format of Methodism would best suit the needs of the African community. EPISCOPAL: refers to the form of government under which the church operates. The Episcopal form of government means that the chief executive and administrative officers of our denomination are our bishops. CHURCH: referees to the “Christian Church,” which is a community of people who believe in God and who have accepted Jesus Christ as the guiding example of their lives. We also believe in the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit, who enables the believer to become a true and effective servant of God. Jesus Christ is the spiritual head of the Christian Church. OUR MISSION: To minister to the spiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional needs of all people by spreading Christ’s liberating gospel through word and deed. Each local church of the African Methodist Episcopal Church shall engage in carrying out the spirit of the original Free African Society. OUR MOTTO God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer, the Holy Spirit Our Comforter, Humankind Our Family (REFERENCE: People of the Anvil - AME Department of Christian Education)
P a g e | 15 AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CONFERENCES GENERAL CONFERENCE Held every 4 years - Run by the Bishops ANNUAL CONFERENCE Held every year - Run by the Bishops DISTRICT CONFERENCE Held every year - Run by Presiding Elder QUARTERLY CONFERENCE Held every quarter - Run by Presiding Elder CHURCH CONFERENCE Held as Necessary - Run by the Pastor See Appendix B for additional information
P a g e | 16 AME CHURCH STRUCTURE - WE’RE ALL CONNECTED! ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF A.M.E. CHURCH In the 1990’s the AME included over 2,000,000 members, 8,000 ministers and 7,000 congregations in more than 30 nations in North and South America, Africa and Europe. Twenty bishops and 12 general officers comprised the leadership of the denomination. The African Methodist Episcopal Church is a connectional organization. Each local church is a part of the larger connection. BISHOPS Chief Officers of the Connectional Organization They are elected for life Responsibilities are to oversee the spiritual and temporal affairs of the church By the laws of the church to retire following their 75th birthday. PRESIDING ELDERS Assistants to the Bishops Supervise the preachers in the Presiding Elder’s District District is one portion of an Annual Conference Presiding Elder meets with the local churches Presiding Elder reports to the Bishop at the annual conference Makes recommendations for pastoral appointments. PASTORS Receive a yearly appointment to a charge (church) Pastor is in full charge of the Church
P a g e | 17 25 ARTICLES OF RELIGION The 25 Articles of Religion are given a prominent place in our Discipline because they state, to a large extent, our protest against the errors of Roman Catholicism. They are as follows: 1. The Holy Trinity: There is but one living and true God. He is the maker and preserver of all things. We experience the one God through three aspects of His personality; namely, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This three-fold aspect of God, we call the Holy Trinity. 2. The Incarnation of Christ: In Christ, two natures - divine and human - are joined together in one person. In other words, Jesus is truly God and truly man. 3. The Resurrection of Christ: Christ truly arose from the dead and ascended into heaven. 4. The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is of one substance with the Father and the Son. He is one of the three aspects through which we experience God. 5. The Holy Scriptures: The bible contains all we need to know to be saved. 6. The Old Testament: The Old Testament is not contrary to the New; in both Old and New Testaments, eternal life is offered to mankind. 7. Original Sin: All men have inherited evil impulses from their ancestors. This corruption of the nature of every man is called “original sin.” It goes back to Adam, the first man. 8. Free Will: Every person is free to choose right or wrong; but even if he chooses to do right, he must have God’s help to live a good and holy life. 9. The Justification of Man We are saved by faith in Christ and by that faith alone. Good works cannot save us. 10. Good Works Good works are the fruit of our faith in Christ Reference: Know Your Church Manual - By Andrew White
P a g e | 18 11. Works of Supererogation: The belief one can do more good than God requires is called “works of supererogation.” We do not believe in this doctrine. No one can do more good than he ought to do or be better than he ought to be 12. Sin After Justification: A Christian may depart from grace and fall into sin again. But those who truly repent receive God’s forgiveness and rise again to a good and holy life. 13. The Church: The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men and women in which the pure word of God is preached and the sacraments duly administered. 14. Purgatory: We do not believe in the idea of purgatory, which is the doctrine that there is a place other than heaven or hell where souls go after death to be cleansed of sin. Nor do we believe in the worship of images, relics and saints. 15. Familiar Speech: Public worship and the sacraments should be conducted in a language the people can understand. 16. The Sacraments: There are only two sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. 17. Baptism: Baptism is the sign of regeneration or the new birth. It marks the beginning of the Christian life. Infants and children, as well as adults, should be baptized. 18. The Lord’s Supper: The Supper of the Lord is a symbol of Christ’s suffering and death for us. The bread and wine are not changed into the actual body and blood of Christ; they represent His broken body and shed blood. 19. Communion in Both Kinds: Both the bread and the wine are to be given to the people in the Lord’s Supper. 20. The Sacrifice of Christ: The sacrifice of Christ is for the sins of the whole world, both original and actual. There is no other satisfaction for sin but that alone. Reference: Know Your Church Manual - By Andrew White
P a g e | 19 21. The Marriage of Ministers: The ministers of Christ are not commanded by God’s law to abstain from marriage. Therefore, it is lawful for them, as for all other Christians, to marry. 22. Rites and Ceremonies of the Church: It is not necessary that the rites and ceremonies should in all places be the same or exactly alike. Every denomination has a right to adopt and use a ritual of its own, but the rites that have been established by the church should be faithfully observed by its members. 23. The Government of the United States: The United States is and ought to be a free and independent nation. All righteous government should be supported and defended by Christians. 24. Christian Man’s Goods: Christians have the right to own private property. However, every man should give liberally of his possessions to help others. 25. A Christian Man’s Oath: Christians should not swear. They may take oath, however, as may be required by the courts of the land. Reference: Know Your Church Manual - By Andrew White
P a g e | 20 WHY WE TITHE WHAT IS A TITHE? One tenth (10%) of your gross income -- before withholding income tax. Scriptures on Tithing Bring. ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the “windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it Malachi 3.10 Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down and shaken together and running over, shall men give unto your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured t you again. Luke 6.38 If God is first in our affections and devotions, He cannot be last in our budgets. Therefore, upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay him in store as God has prospered him 1 Corinthians 16:2. When our faith is sufficiently rooted in the certainty and goodness of God we hesitate not to share joyously the tithe of our income, not even our lives are withheld from Him whom we implicitly trust. For He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him against that day 2 Timothy 1: 12. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP God is the sole owner of all that exists in this world. That means land, sea, humankind, our money, our gifts, our talents and all of our material possessions. The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein (Psalm 24: 1) God wants to give us nothing but the best - even when we fail to obey His Word. He has given us dominion over all other creatures on the earth, His most precious gift, however is that He gave His only begotten Son as the only acceptable sacrifice to remove the stain of sin from us all. (John 3:16-17) God requires that we use our gifts of time, talent and money for His benefit and glory. Every steward must use the things committed in his hands, not for his own personal glory but for the glory of God - the creator and owner of all things, (Matthew 25:2 7) (Stewardship and the Tithe, by Costen J. Harrell)
P a g e | 21 EXPLANATION OF ENVELOPE Member #: this is the number you were given when you received your annual giving statement. If you did not receive a giving statement, you can find out your number by contacting the church administration office at: (516) 484-9362. Tithes: 10% of Gross Income First Fruit: Entire amount of your increase the first time it is received. After paying your first fruit, the amount of your increase folds into your regular tithe payment Offering: Whatever amount you choose to donate for the support /upkeep of the church Class Dues: Amount, which goes directly to the Pastor of the church Missions: Amount that you want to go to a specific ministry or project. Please note the indemnification at the bottom of the envelope PLEASE BE SURE TO PRINT YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND AMOUNT CLEARLY ON THE ENVELOPE EACH WEEK TO ENSURE PROPER CREDIT TO YOUR ACCOUNT. UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE – PLEASE DO NOT SEAL YOUR ENVELOPE. Please be sure to be consistent with your name (i.e.: maiden vs. married). If you wish to change your name with the church database, please indicate your previous name used and your new name or complete an information change card and drop it in the box. The cards and boxes are located at the back of the sanctuary by both the main door and the side door. This card should also be completed if your marital status, address, phone numbers changes or if you have a child. (Stewardship and the Tithe, by Costen J. Harrell)
P a g e | 22 APPENDIX A Receiving Full Membership On the day appointed, the class leaders shall present the persons to be received into the church, calling them by name. THE MINISTER, ADDRESSING THE CONGREGATION, SHALL SAY: Dearly beloved members: The Scriptures teach us that the church is the household of God, the body of which Christ is the Head; and that it is the design of the Gospel to bring together in one all who are Christ’s. The fellowship of the Church is the communion that its members enjoy one with another. The end of this fellowship, the maintenance of sound doctrine and of the ordinances of that power, Godly admonition and discipline which Christ has committed to His Church is for the promotion of holiness. It is the duty of all people to unite in this fellowship; for it is only those, “the planted in the house of the Lord,” that will “flourish in the courts of our God.” It’s more particular duties are to promote peace and unity; to bear one another’s burdens; to prevent each other’s stumbling; to seek the intimacy of the friendly society among them; to continue steadfast in the faith and worship of the Gospel and to pray and sympathize with each other. Among its privileges are: peculiar incitements to holiness from the hearing of God’s Word; sharing Christ’s ordinances; placing persons under the watchful care of pastors; and the enjoyment of the blessings which are promised only “to those who are of the household of faith.” Into this holy fellowship this person (these persons) as to his (her/their) faith and purposes, that you may know that he (she) is the proper person (they are proper persons) to be admitted into the Church. IN ADDRESSING THE APPLICANT(S) FOR ADMISSION, THE MINISTER SHALL SAY: Dearly beloved; You are now seeking the great privilege of union with the Church which our Savior has purchased with His own blood. We rejoice in the grace of God, given unto you, in that He has called you to be His follower(s). You have heard how blessed are the privileges and how solemn are the duties of membership in Christ’s Church, and before you are fully admitted, it is proper that you do here publicly renew your vows, confess your faith, and declare your purpose by answering the following questions: QUESTION 1: Do you here in the presence of God and this congregation renew the solemn promise contained in the Baptismal Covenant, ratifying and confirming the same and acknowledging yourself (yourselves) bound faithfully to observe and keep that covenant and all things contained therein? ANSWER: I do QUESTION 2: Have you saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? ANSWER: I have
P a g e | 23 QUESTION 3: Do you possess friendly feelings toward all members of this Church? ANSWER: I do QUESTION 4: Do you believe in the Doctrine of the Holy Scriptures as set forth in the articles of religion of the African Methodist Episcopal Church? ANSWER: I do QUESTION 5: Will you be governed by the Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, hold sacred the ordinances of God and try as much as possible to promote the welfare of fellow members and the advancement of the Kingdom of God? ANSWER: I will THEN THE MINISTER, ADDRESSING THE CHURCH, SHALL SAY: Beloved Members: Is there any reason why this person (these persons) should not be received into full membership? If no objections are alleged, the minister shall give the name(s) of the candidate(s) and say: We cordially welcome you into fellowship of the Church of God, and in light of our Christian love, I extend to you the right hand of fellowship, and may God grant that you may be a faithful and useful member of the Church militant till you are called to the fellowship of the Church triumphant, which is faultless before the presence of God After receiving the member(s) there should be fellowship and greetings from the congregation
APPENDIX B 1. CONFERENCES: a. THE GENERAL CONFERENCE is the supreme body of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. It is composed of the Bishops, the ex-officio presidents, according to the rank of election, and an equal number of ministerial and lay delegates, elected by each of the Annual Conferences and the Lay Electoral Colleges of the Annual Conferences. Other ex-officio members are: The General Officers, College Presidents, Deans of Theological Seminaries; Chaplains in the Regular Armed Forces of the USA. The general Conference meets quadrennially (every four years) but may have extra sessions in certain emergencies. b. ANNUAL CONFERENCE: Held annually where all the churches within the district get together to discuss the business of the church body. c. QUARTERLY CONFERENCE: Held quarterly by the Presiding Elder at each church within his district. d. DISTRICT CONFERENCE: Held annually by the Presiding Elder. Each church in the Presiding Elder’s district meet at a church of his/her choice to discuss the business of the district. e. CHURCH CONFERENCE: Held as often and the Pastor deems necessary. These conferences are used by the Pastor to make the church body aware of any business and to make annual appointments of officers and ministry leaders 2. COUNCIL OF BISHOPS: The Executive Branch of the Connectional Church. It has the general oversight of the Church during the interim between General Conferences. They also address complaints and petitions against a Bishop. 3. BOARD OF INCORPORATORS: also known as the General Board of Trustees has the supervision, in trust, of all connectional property of the Church. 4. THE GENERAL BOARD: the administrative body of the A.M.E. Church. Comprised of various departmental Commissions including Secretary-Treasurer, the General Secretary of the AME, church the General Treasurer and the members of the various Commissions and one Bishop as presiding officer with the other Bishops associating. 5. JUDICIAL COUNCIL: the highest judicatory body of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. It is an appellate court, elected by the General Conference and is amenable to it.