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THE WORK OF THE DOCTRINE AND DISCIPLINE OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

WHY METHODISM? Richard Allen Was born February 14, 1760 Converted 1777 Licensed to preach 1782 Ordained Deacon 1799 by Bishop Francis Asbury

THE FREE AFRICAN SOCIETY The Free African Society was organized by Richard Allen and Absalom Jones, April 12, 1787. “A society without regard to religious tenets, provided, the persons lived an orderly and sober life, in order to support one another in sickness and for the benefit of their widows and fatherless children.” (This was NOT a religious body)

WITHDREW FROM ST. GEORGE’S

Richard Allen and others persons of African descent who were members of St George’s Methodist Church withdrew and walked out in November 1787, after being pulled from their knees during prayer. They had just finished building the church balcony for which they provided the funds and the labor for construction. AbsalomJones was ordained in 1792, first Black African Episcopal priest, assigned to St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Bishop Richard Allen remained Methodist, in 1794, became pastor of Bethel AME Church.

THE FIRST GENERAL CONFERENCE The First General Conference Session convened April 7 – 11, 1816, in Philadelphia, PA, under the mantra that has appeared in the Historical Statement of every Book of Discipline beginning with the first in 1817, until the most recent 2021,

MANTRA “About this time, the colored people at Baltimore and other places were treated in a similar manner as those in Philadelphia…This induced the people to call a General Conference in April 1816, to form a Connection. (It was resolved) “That the people of Philadelphia, Baltimore, and other places who should unite with them, should become one body under the name and style of The African Methodist Episcopal Church.”

CALL TO ORDER April 7, 1816, the General Conference was called to order by Richard Allen, with 15 ministers in attendance, and lay persons.

ELECTION April 9, 1816, election of Bishops. Richard Allen, first ordained preacher of African descent in America, was elected in absentia along with Rev. Daniel Coker. But when Allen appeared on the following day he took the position that two bishops were not needed at the time. Coker resigned and Allen was “set apart.” Richard Allen was ordained Elder and consecrated Bishop by a “Presbytery” of five ministers that included Absalom Jones.

STYLE AND STRUCTURE April 11, 1816, in Richard Allen’s first address to the delegation, he noted that the Newly Constituted Church has two options for religious denominations with which they can affiliate – Methodist or Church of England. Allen offered his preference:

STYLE AND STRUCTURE (CON’T)

“We (Allen and Jones*) were in favor of being attached to the Methodist Connection; for I was confident that there was no religious sect or denomination would suit the capacity of the Colored people as well; for plain simple gospel suits best for my people; for unlearned can understand; and the reason Methodist is so successful in awakening and conversion of the Colored people, the plain doctrine and having a good discipline.”

STYLE AND STRUCTURE (CON’T) Richard Allen’s preference for Methodism was NOT based upon the treatment that the fledging group had experienced at St. George’s or at the hands of American Methodist Church officials, but upon the foundational tenets of John Benjamin Wesley’s Methodism.

METHODIST INFLUENCE Was born in 1703, the fifteenth child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley His father was Rector of Epworth Church (Church of England)

John Benjamin Wesley

Ordained Priest at Christ Church (Church of England)

INFLUENCES Methodist by definition: “One who lives according to methods laid down in the Bible.”

The Holy Club organized at Lincoln College, Oxford, with the goal of personal holiness. Strict practices: pray three times a day; fast two times per week; meditate one hour daily; recite a Collect; observe all Holy Days; keep a diary; rehearse conversations; examine yourself for signs of grace.

INFLUENCES The Holy Club (con’t) A name of derision by fellow students: “By rule they eat by rule they drink By rule they do all things but think Accuse the priests of lose behavior To get more in the laymen’s favor Method alone must guide them all When themselves ‘methodist’ they call.”

INFLUENCES Monrovian (devout German Christians) LOVE FEAST True Conversion took place for John Wesley on May 24, 1738, at 8:45 p.m., at a Meeting House on Aldersgate Street, when “his heart became strangely warmed.” “Peculiar incitements to holiness” – ridiculed in the parochial circles of the city because of the ‘enthusiasm’ with which he preached, yet embraced by ‘colliers’ (common folk/laborers/thugs!).

INFLUENCES Orders of Ministry in keeping with the Alexandrian Model – There are only two Orders of ministry – Presbyters (Elders) and Deacons. A “presbytery” (group of ministers) select from among themselves one who performs a “governance role/with a set of responsibilities to be Bishop. This is NOT a separate Order. Those so selected/elected are Primus inter pares (Latin) – First among equals.

INFLUENCES The Conference – A time to “confer” and out of those “conversations” came “doctrinal minutes or the Catechism of Faith and General Rules for membership. 24 of the Articles of Religion were taken from the Church of England.

THE DOCTRINE AND DISCIPLINE Structure - Historically: 01

Articles of Religion - Examples

Rules of Band Societies (Doctrinal Minutes) Conferences and Conventions Preachers before the Annual Conference

Methodist Polity - HM Turner - Best Practices Sacramental Services

THE DOCTRINE AND DISCIPLINE Revision and update to the Doctrine and Discipline of the AME Church 01

Instructions

Template

INSTRUCTIONS Instructions for preparing Legislation to be presented to the General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Each Bill must adhere to the following format, answering the questions of What? Where? How? Why? and How Much?

INSTRUCTIONS Title (What?) Assign a Title/Subject to the matter (What?) presented. The Title/Subject should be concise, yet clear, typically one line.

Reference (Where?) Indicate all sections (Where?) in the current Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 2021 that are impacted by the proposed legislation. Include Part, Section, Article and page number(s).

INSTRUCTIONS Intent (How?) Explain (How?) the proposed legislation will impact the Church. Objectives, Changes, Additions, etc...

Rationale (Why?) (Why?) are these changes / modifications/ additional necessary? Please elaborate.

INSTRUCTIONS Text The text of the Bill should be printed “double spaced” exactly as it is to appear in the Revised Discipline. Each line should be numbered 1, 2, 3, etc.)

How Much - Budgetary Impact Estimated cost of implementation. Commission on Statistics and Finance to weigh in.

LEGISLATION The DISCIPLINE requires that proposed legislation be in the hands of the General Secretary ninety (90) days prior to the opening of the General Conference. Legislation may be mailed to the Office of the General Secretary in hardcopy text. Or the Bill may be transmitted electronically via an online form.

LEGISLATION TEMPLATE To submit legislation, please save this document to your computer, enter the information requested below, and then email a copy to the General Secretary. Bill Number Title Reference Intent Rationale

SAMPLE BILL

LEGISLATION Compilation Committee Revisions Committee Four (4) Bishops, Chairperson of the Revisions Committee; Secretaries of the Revisions Committee; the General Secretary; the Treasurer; and one (1) member from each Episcopal District. Duties Collect and assemble all adopted legislation of the General Conference, present the same in the exact manner and form as adopted to the duly authorized printer as per The Book of Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

THE END! THANK YOU