Some of you know my church St. Paul Community A.M.E church is 1 and half years old. Our WMS is really strong and I want our Lay organization to be equally as strong if not stronger. The description of the lay organization is found on pg. 425 of the discipline. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this organization shall be to organize and train the laity of the AME church so that each lay person may utilize to the maximum abilities and skills granted by God,in assisting with the improvement and extension of God's kingdom, and creating happiness, peace and harmony among its members. A.) to instill in the membership of the church a love for, and appreciation of the history, traditions, principles and development of African Methodism by encouraging, motivating, and educating all lay person. etc. in the discipline. How do we get started?

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2002

Answers

I believe there is a handbook you can order from the publishing house. Also try to contact your conference president. They may be willing to come meet with your members. Also you may want to develop a good new members course and get your lay members to help develop it. This could get your new lay officers started working. I think the lay handbook also mentions that the members should follow roberts rules, so a small workshop on that might be good as well

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2002

Lic. Michael Green thanks for your suggestion about members developing a class. They will love it! My members are professors, teachers etc and this would be a fun project. Also rural ministry is so different than urban ministry. Things that work in the big city don't always work in rural areas. So your idea may also help other rural churches. By the way what is your lay organization doing? It is also good to hear from you again.

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2002

Now Rev. Denise, You know we are always willing to help you in any way possible. "Your" Michigan Conference Lay Organization has a booklet entitled, "So Now You Are Organized...". It contains the "nuts and bolts" of starting a lay organization. We will send you a copy this week. The Connectional Lay Organization's Director of Lay Activities will soon publish a new study guide, which will help determine content of presentations. The Lay Handbook is also a good reference. We always encourage members to bring their Bibles, the Discipline and Robert's Rules to meetings. We wish you the best in your endeavors. We believe that "An informed lay person is a more effective church member."

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2002

Barbara you and the michigan conference lay organization are truly the best! I love you all so much. I am excited about the booklet and that is exactly what we need. With all of my heart I want all of our church organizations to be trained. What an adventure this will be to have you as our mentor. God is so good! Bless you a thousand times over. I noticed my brother Rev. Hanse asked about the youth lay league. I am not familiar with that organization can you tell me and Rev. Hanse about that organization also? Thanks

-- Anonymous, December 30, 2002

I serve as the Connectional Director of Lay Activities for the Connectional Lay Organization for the AME Church. Your District Director of Lay Activity could also assist. Seeek the District president's assistance for that person's address, etc. If this doesn't work well, please contact me for more direct assistance. Other suggestions you have already received are helpful.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2003

Sis. Warren it is good to know who you are. Praise God for your response. Since I first posted I have gotten an outpouring of support. President Barbara Robinson of the Michigan Conference Lay organization has been outstanding. I wish she and her members could travel around the connection and do workshop and I hope they can do a presentation at General Conference. She is sending me a handbook that her conference has put together. Robert Matthews Public Relations Director of the 6th district lay organization has also been a powerful mentor and put me in touch with the 5th district Lay President Mr. Tom Sutton. I might add that Mr. Sutton has been fabulous in offering his support, we have had a tremendous outpouring of support. Because my church is in a rural area it is imperative that we have a strong lay organization. Our presiding elder is in washington state (I am in Montana) and all of our conference leaders are in Washington state which is two states away. We are planting another church this month and members of my church come across mountain passes to get to church. Each and everyone of them is a leader, including our children. They have to be because of where we live. For our Founder's day celebration the Lay organization will have a lot to do with that. And our lay group are also helping with the planting of the new church. I look forward to meeting you.

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2003

Check out the website at Acts 1:8 Ministry- www.acts18.org. They offer a FREE outreach training kit, and consulting services for Churches. Their purpose is to share the love of Christ worldwide through planned acts of Christian kindness.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2003