The local church is a part of the worldwide Connection. We, as a part of that Connection,
individually are not merely members of a local church. We become members of the worldwide
CONNECTION of ZION Methodism. Ours is a joint commitment - to Shrewsbury Avenue and the
Connection.
In order of priority, the local church is established and exists to address and support
the following:
- Preaching Ministry and Worship of God.
- General Church Program of the Connection.
- Evangelism - the outreach and spreading of the Good News about Jesus in the community.
- Christian Education - teaching of the fundamentals of our faith - bringing out the
inner spirit and strengthening of the beliefs of the people of God and making the same
clear and understandable in thought, word and deed.
- Missions - support the spreading of The Word to all corners of the earth.
The local church is 'assessed' annually, to support the work of the CONNECTION. Although
we come together to worship for our own needs, the church is first here to meet the needs of
those who are not members of the family of God.
We, therefore, are committed to serve and support the saving of this world for Christ.
We, who worship God, must be ever mindful of our PURPOSE in the A.M.E. ZION CHURCH - TO MEET
THE WORLD AND BRING IT UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF GOD AND THE GRACE OF THE NATION OF JESUS which
is THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
The lights, heat and other worldly needs of the local church are never as important as our
commitment to the Worldwide Effort of the church. We maintain the physical plant not as an end
itself, but only to facilitate the cause of Christ worldwide. This reality does not seek to
belittle the joy each of us should receive at worship or in our secret place, nor does it make
the individual's salvation unimportant; rather, it increases the joy and unfolds the purpose
of our salvation, as we are brought to understand and know that we are 'connected' to a movement
to bring salvation to the world.
