ALLEN
TEMPLE |
Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. I Corinthians 14:12 |
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AME CHURCH |
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ALLEN
TEMPLE
AME CHURCH
109 Green Avenue
Greenville SC 29601
Office 864-233-7394
FAX 864-232-2705
Ministries
The ministries of Allen Temple are avenues through which the members of Allen Temple can share their spiritual gifts with the church and community. They also offer meaningful channels through which the mission of the church can be expressed in real life, by people helping each other and showing love and kindness to one another. There are more than fifty (50) ministries at Allen Temple...and each one serves as a means of sharing and providing extended service to those in need.
If you are interested in working with one or more of these ministries, please read our Pastor's Message.
The Pastor is the chairperson of all organizations at Allen Temple Church. He assigns duties to any assistant ministers under his leadership. The office staff at Allen Temple includes the Secretary, Office Assistants, Recording Secretary (of the Official Board and Church Conferences), and the Secretary of the Quarterly Conference. Volunteers may be used as staff assistants on specific projects.
The local church has six governing Commissions. They are the Commissions on 1) Stewardship and Finance; 2) Membership and Evangelism; 3) Christian Education; 4) Missions and Welfare; 5) Social Action; 6) Public Relations. The basic church organization includes Stewards, Trustees, Stewardesses, Deaconesses, and Class Leaders.
Stewards are responsible for the spiritual care and total oversight of the entire church. They serve as members of the Pastor's Cabinet as partners in the Ministry. They are committed to shepherding, teaching, exhorting, and praying for the sick. They model Biblical truth and harmony, as they lead through example. Stewards are also responsible for making sure that the needs of the pastor and his family are provided for, as well as overseeing the financial obligations of the church.
Trustees of Allen Temple Church are entrusted with oversight of the church's facilities, legal matters, and facility expansion. The Trustees manage all temporal concerns of the church, not otherwise provided for. They shall be in charge of all church properties and shall make improvements upon the property or real estate, when authorized to do so by the church. They help set the budget and provide direction for future development.
Allen Temple Church celebrates communion each first Sunday. These moments at the Lord's Table need to be appropriately prepared, so that we may partake together. The Stewardesses' main function is to assist the Stewards in the discharge of their duties, as it relates to the Lord's Supper and Baptism. Stewardesses provide the implements and elements of the Holy Communion and Holy Baptism.
The Class Leader system is one of the hallmarks of Methodism. One of the historical reasons for Methodism's tremendous growth in England and America in the 1700's, the class leader system was the pre-cursor to the small group movement in business. Qualified leaders help individuals gain insight into God's work, through group discussion and interaction, as well as personal application in every day life. It provides the church with an important connection with all members while providing for the ministerial needs of the members. The class system allows people to be an active and knowledgeable part of the community.
Our Personal Growth Ministry is designed to help individual church members at similar stages in life (age group, gender, marital status) grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and (most of all) spiritually.
The nursery is provided to accommodate children up to four (4) years old during the regular worship service and other services. Activities are designed for their ages and levels of understanding by experienced care-givers and parent volunteers.
This ministry offers excellent training and learning opportunities for children aged five (5) to twelve (12) years old during the regular worship service. Children are taught Biblical truths, encouraged to do research on their own, participate in activities and trips which enhance their knowledge and Christian growth. It is offered on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Sundays. First Sunday is Family Worship Day.
The Young People's Department (YPD) is a division of the Women's Missionary Society. The purpose of the YPD is...
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To provide meaningful youth training programs in all areas of church life, which will provide for full participation in the total mission of the church.
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To provide specific training to increase knowledge of A.M.E. history and the Scriptures.
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To provide opportunities for leadership experience.
Newcomers to our Church Family are welcomed into a caring environment when they attend the New Members Orientation and Training Sessions, which have been designed for them. During these sessions, new members are given much needed information about the A.M.E. Church, and about Allen Temple Church in particular. Newcomers are given the opportunity to express themselves on a number of spiritual and Biblical topics, and are encouraged to determine and put to use their spiritual gifts by becoming active members...as soon as possible. This ministry has become a vital part of Allen Temple and offers new members an excellent "first step" into service in our church.
SONS OF ALLEN (MEN'S MINISTRY)
The Sons of Allen is a fellowship through which African Methodist men can enhance their sense of belonging to the church, gain understanding and appreciation of the spiritual/social message of the church, develop latent manpower in the congregation, become recruiters of other men for discipleship, and enhance the ministry/comradeship/fellowship of the church.
The Women's Missionary Society (WMS) of the African Methodist Episcopal Church exists to:
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Help women and youth grow in the knowledge of God through cooperative relationships
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Promote fellowship with women of other lands through cooperative relationships
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Foster missionary activities of the local church overseas
CLICK HERE for a brief history of the Women's Missionary Society.
The goal of the Worship Ministry is to improve the flow, knowledge, and general concept of the Worship Service by educating and working with the ushers and other appropriate church ministries.
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Senior Usher Board (#1) serves on the first and fourth Sundays. They meet the first Sunday of each month at 4:00 PM.
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Ushers of Faith (#2) serve on the second Sunday. They meet after the worship service on the second Sunday of each month.
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Ushers of Inspiration (#3) serve on the third Sundays of each month and meet after service each third Sunday.
The Combined Usher Board or All Male Ushers rotate their services on fifth Sundays and for special occasions.
This ministry uses young children as candle lighters and cross bearers at the beginning and end of each worship service. This provides these young members with another opportunity to participate in the Sunday morning worship service.
The Communications Ministry provides a vehicle for two-way communication so that members of Allen Temple Church and the community can be aware of the many activities and services offered by the church. The goal is to motivate members to fully support the church with their time, service and/or financial gifts. The communications ministry uses al forms of media to achieve this goal.
This ministry is responsible for maintaining good working relationships with all church organizations, outside agencies, and media outlets within the community. The major goal is the objective dissemination of information essential to the success of Allen Temple Church's programs, using various media. The Commission on Public Relations seeks to bridge the gap between church and community...and to offer services and spiritual guidance available through Allen Temple Church and the surrounding area.
CHURCH & SOCIETY MINISTRY (OUTREACH MINISTRY)
This ministry functions as the church's social conscience. The Church & Society Ministry makes the membership aware of social and political issues and encourages us to fulfill our responsibility to vote. The ministry strives for the elimination of any and all injustice in the world.
It ministers to the spiritual needs of incarcerated men and women. The Missionary Society helps to administer this ministry.
Includes pastoral care for alcohol and drug abuse victims. Allen Temple Church works with all area agencies and programs to promote drug abuse awareness, rehabilitation programs, and preventative information. A special emphasis on training the youth is essential.
This is a much needed ministry of our Outreach Ministry. A special group of persons sponsor a Soup Kitchen on Saturday mornings for the homeless and needy in the community.
This ministry promotes the academic excellence of our youth by providing programs which enhance learning and study skills, promote awareness of self and community, and encourage a healthy outlook for the future. It also strives to recognize and reward academic achievements of Allen Temple members from elementary school through adulthood. These programs include tutorial services; providing information on educational programs, grants, scholarships; giving awards for graduation and other achievements; counseling youth about higher education; and providing financial assistance to young members who wish to attend institutions of higher learning.
The Music Ministry is dedicated to worshipping God by proclaiming His glory with a joyful noise. Allen Temple Church has many excellent choirs. One is sure to be right for you.
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Sanctuary Choir (#1) offers a variety of music, from hymns to anthems and spirituals...and from piano-accompanied to acappella. Rehearsals are held on Saturday before the First Sunday at 5:00 PM. This choir leads in the ministry of music on the First Sunday.
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Voices of Allen Temple (#2) provides traditional and contemporary gospel, also piano-accompanied and/or acappella. Rehearsals are held each Tuesday evening at 6:30 PM. This choir provides the ministry of music on the Second and Fourth Sundays.
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Annie Mae Anderson Sunbeam Choir (#3) consists of children and youth from 5-14 years old. They provide music during the Easter pageant, Youth Day, and other special occasions when the children participate in service.
The Music Ministry also includes use of other instruments and musicians during regular and special services. This would include hand bells, drums, cymbals, trumpets, flutes, and other instruments.
CONGREGATIONAL CARE MINISTRIES
This ministry helps the members and families of Allen Temple in times of need, grief, crisis, poor health, and joy. These various ministries focus on individual counseling and care.
This ministry promotes good health education and awareness, and assists individuals in becoming active participants in their own health maintenance.
COUNSELING/HOME VISITATION MINISTRY
This ministry makes available counseling services to persons experiencing possible struggles or concerns in various areas of life. In-home visitations allow persons to minister to those who are home-bound and unable to worship in a corporate setting.
The Pastoral Staff, along with the Missionary Society, are diligent in their duties to visit members who are in nursing homes, hospitals, or who are shut-in at home. Through sharing prayers, fellowship, financial and floral contributions, they seek to bring some joy and peace to those who wish to attend church services, but are unable to do so. Their work is vital to the spiritual well-being of our members.
The Pastoral Staff is the essence of this ministry, which endeavors to be available to counsel, comfort, and support those members of the congregation and their families during periods of bereavement. They offer spiritual, as well as practical support during these most difficult times.
BENEVOLENCE/CONDOLENCE MINISTRY
This ministry is a group of very special people who respond to the need of the bereaved families by preparing the church for funeral services. They arrange and help prepare food service after the funeral or at other times.
This ministry offers practical assistance to members of the congregation who wish to get married. Members of this ministry act as directors or coordinators of the wedding ceremony and other activities. They help to maintain a spiritual atmosphere and assist the couple in whatever way they are needed. Any couple planning to get married at Allen Temple Church must seek the services of this ministry.
This ministry oversees and encourages church members to place floral arrangements in the church as memorials (living and deceased) during the course of the year. They also oversee floral placements during Advent and Lenten seasons...and are responsible for placement/decoration of the Christmas trees in both the church and educational building.
Greeters help establish an atmosphere of friendliness and warmth. god's love for people is communicated through those who greet others with joy and sincerity, as they enter the worship service. The In-Touch Ministry requires a variety of people who have a heart for visitors and those seeking answers. By completing a perforated form on the Visitor's Card on Sunday mornings, newcomers may request information or ask questions about the church, a specific ministry, or their relationship with Christ. Those with a talent for evangelism, encouragement, and caring are reaching out each week to be in touch with the inquirers through phone calls or person-to-person contact, if feasible.
The Evangelism Ministry is responsible for spreading God's Word throughout the church and community. This ministry is particularly concerned with reaching those persons who are un-churched. Their ministry reaches prisons, the homeless, the battered, and the down-trodden. Their goal is to win souls for Christ. This ministry also includes neighborhood visitations; monitoring attendance; checking on absentee members; new member photography; and overseeing new member orientation and literature...which at Allen Temple Church includes a 6-8 week training program for new members. The Commission on Membership and Evangelism supervises Bible School and Bible Study classes.
This ministry creates an atmosphere for motivating Christians to become effective church workers. The program seeks to establish a church learning environment that stimulates and enhances knowledge of, interpretation of, living and doing the Word...thus promoting Christian growth, development, and service.
Education is vital part of any Christian's life - especially new ones! We encourage you to become involved in a regular Bible Study program. Allen Temple Church offers two excellent opportunities to do this - Church School and Bible Study. We encourage you to participate in both.
CHURCH SCHOOL (FORMERLY SUNDAY SCHOOL)
This ministry is offered every Sunday from 9:45AM until 10:45AM. Our church school provides classes for all ages, pre-school to adult. The classes are designed to present you with a challenging and comprehensive look at God's Word, and to make God's Word alive in your life. We encourage you to join us as a staff member or student.
This ministry provides extensive study on an organized basis. Classes are structured now to reach students of varying levels of Bible knowledge and to cover specific topics each week. Classes are Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM and Fridays at 12:00 Noon.
This ministry promotes stewardship as the Christian lifestyle. The ministry is concerned with educating all members as to their responsibilities as Christians, and teaches the giving of time, talent, and tithes in response to God's grace. The Stewardship Ministry is responsible for the church's Annual Stewardship Drive. The Commission on Stewardship and Finance promotes and cultivates Christian stewardship and administers the Financial Ministry of the church.
The Lay Ministry of the AME Church is one of the newest in our church. It began at the General Conference in Kansas City, MO in 1912. After many years of struggling, some basic objectives were developed for the Lay Organization. The include...
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To create love and appreciation of the principles of African Methodism
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To keep the memory of Richard Allen, our Founder, alive
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To respect constituted authority
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To stimulate and educate the Laity in the total program of the Church
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To study the Discipline and learn the laws of the Church
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To teach and practice Stewardship and to work with the youth to teach them Methodism
These ministries vary in scope and intent. However, they all allow church members the opportunity to serve God in a variety of ways. Each of us have one or more spiritual gifts within us. Allen Temple General Ministries provide the platform necessary to nurture, develop, and showcase these talents.
THE COMMISSION ON MISSIONS AND WELFARE
This ministry focuses on the community and how the church can help to improve the lives of those in need of assistance. The Missions offering provides some funding for assistance and to help bring needed social programs to the community, such as campaigns against crime an drug abuse.
This ministry maintains all church bulletin boards. This ministry not only decorates the boards, but must approve any item posted by a group or individual.
This ministry records and provides audio and video cassettes of special church programs and services. Audio tapes are made of each Sunday morning service and are available to all members, as well as often being presented to our sick and shut-in members. These tapes can also be used for historical reference.
Many of our church members express themselves through drama and dance. Short vignettes are occasionally showcased during regular worship services and special programs. Spiritual lessons are interpreted through drama and dance.
This ministry team has the responsibility of keeping the church, classrooms, and offices in quality condition. With many people using the facilities on a weekly basis, many teams are needed to serve throughout the month.
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