Class Leaders Effectiveness

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Yesterday I had an interesting conversation with a friend and we were discussing Class Leaders and their usefullness. My question if anyone cares to answer, "Should we do away with Class Leaders?".

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2003

Answers

Hi Joann -

I am of the opinion that the Class Leader Model would work more effectively if the duties were coordinated by the Stewards. If Stewards were required to oversee the spiritual welfare of a small group of individuals this would equip them with meaningful responsibilities. One of the cnadidates for Bishop in 2004 is Rev. Jeffrey Leath, Pastor of Mother Bethel in Philly. Dr. Leath's dissertation provided a scholarly treatment of the Class Leader Model. It would be interesting to get his opinion about your important question. QED

-- Anonymous, August 06, 2003


This conversation on Class Leaders is fascinating to me. I grew up in the A.M.E. Church, in St. Louis, Missouri, and in our congregation the Class Leaders and the members assigned to them met during Sunday school as a class. As I remember it, the Leaders led the discussions and members paid "class dues." So,that was always my impression of how this system worked.

Now, after years away, I joined First AME of Oakland and have realized that Class Leaders serve as more of a point of contact with the congregation at large. Our pastor is very careful to pair new members with leaders he feels will fit their individual spiritual needs; right at the altar, he takes the time to make sure he assigns the right team.I feel this careful attention does create a strong bond within the church.

-- Anonymous, April 07, 2004


Class leaders provide a personal and intimate relationship with every individual in the church. Many times people attend or join a church because of their feeling of belonging, comfort, and fellowship. Class leaders are an intricate part. Also, many non AME mega churches are using our diagram of class leaders system in their churches. I think it's ironic that we question so many of our traditions and programs while others use them for their benefit.

-- Anonymous, April 07, 2004

Brothers and Sisters,

I agree with the many responses that recognize the value of the Class Leader model. Doing away with it is unthinkable and ideas that entertain its demise betray a lack of grounding in and appreciation for African Methodism, its history and inner workings. Now its true that the model works to varying degrees of effectiveness across the connection. But this is not requisite to doing away with the model but rather, where we find deficency we owe it to our zion to find ways to improve and strengthen it.

In Love,

-- Anonymous, April 08, 2004


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