Generally known as the A.M.E. Church or AME, the African Methodist Episcopal Church is a largely African-American Methodist denomination headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.
In 1787, a group of black parishioners of Saint George's Church in Philadelphia left because of the racial prejudice they encountered there. While blacks were welcomed as members of the church, they were segregated from the larger white membership, seated in the gallery of the church. A black parishioner was found kneeling in prayer in the white section of the church one day when white trustees bodily moved him to the back of the church. When the church leadership endorsed the open display of racism, the black members of the church walked out in protest.
They purchased a former blacksmith shop for use as a meeting place, and established the Bethel Church for Negro Methodists in Philadelphia, with Richard Allen, a former slave, as pastor. White Methodists tried to prevent the black congregation from controlling its building and property, resulting in a legal fight that was decided by the Supreme Court in favor of the black church in 1816.
That year, Bethel Church joined with other congregations of African-Americans to form a new denomination, the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Allen was elected bishop, and ordained by the Anglo-American bishop, Francis Asbury of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
After the American Civil War, the denomination spread west and south, and its membership exceeded that of the combined membership of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Today, the A.M.E. Church is organized into twenty districts, thirteen in the United States, while seven are in Africa.
The A.M.E. Church was the first major Christian denomination created because of race rather than theological differences. While they formed a new denomination, traditional Methodist doctrine and practices were continued, although worship styles tend to be more exuberant than that found in most white Methodist congregations.
The denomination holds that the Bible contains everything necessary for salvation and that the Holy Spirit guides people to understanding the Scripture.
God is united in the Godhead, which consists of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. He took on the nature of man in the Incarnation, combining a human and divine nature. He died for the sins of mankind, reconciling human beings to God, and is the sole mediator between man and God. The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son and is an equal part of the Trinity.
Because of the fall of Adam and Eve, human beings are born into sin and inclined to evil. Unable to turn from evil through their own devices, mankind is in need of the grace of God. Those who respond to God's grace are justified. However, Christians possess the ability to fall back into sin, but if they repent and turn back to God, restoration is possible.
Baptism and the Lord's Supper are sacraments. Baptism is a sign of an individual's profession of faith, of regeneration, and of a new birth. Young children may be baptized, and it can be done by pouring, sprinkling, or immersion.
The mission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is social. Members of the church are called to preach the gospel, feed the hungry, house the homeless, provide jobs for the unemployed, and assist the fallen to come back to God.
The A.M.E. Church is a member of the World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches, the World Methodist Council, and Churches United in Christ. The denomination is unrelated to either the Union American Methodist Episcopal Church or the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, although the three bodies are in full communion with one another.
Websites listed in this category are related to the African American Episcopal Church and may include denominational sites or that of affiliated organizations, councils, associations, or corporations. Informational sites that are focused on the A.M.E. Church may be listed here, as well, even if the tone is oppositional. Sites representing local congregations should be submitted to the appropriate Local & Global category, however.
Recommended Resources
African Methodist Episcopal Church
The US-based Methodist denomination is the first Protestant denomination founded by black people, and the first founded on racial rather than theological differences. Its history, church structure, and beliefs are set forth on the official denominational site, along with demographics and other details. Its bishop, general and connectional officers, judicial council, and general secretary are introduced, and a directory of member churches, schools, and other institutions are included.
https://www.ame-church.com/
African Methodist Episcopal University
Located in Monrovia, Liberia, AMEU is the second largest college in Liberia. Established by the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1995, the school offers several degree programs, at the graduate and undergraduate levels, which are enumerated here, along with its history, accreditations and partnerships, admissions policies and procedures, tuition and fees, financial aid options, and contacts.
http://www.ame.edu.lr/
Christian Education Department
CED was organized in 1794 for the purpose of developing the first African-American Sunday school at Mother Bethel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, although the African Methodist Episcopal Church's Department of Education was established in 1876, becoming a connectional organization in 1936. Its history, leadership, and a calendar of events are posted to the site. Calendars, pamphlets, and worship resources are available for downloading.
https://ameced.com/
Headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, District 7 represents congregations of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. A map shows the location and details for member churches in South Carolina. Promotional messages for programs and events of the District are set forth, along with a history of the denomination, leadership introductions, a calendar of events, news, and announcements. An online shopping area is included.
http://ame7.church/
Fifth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
Covering A.M.E. Churches and institutions in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, the District represents the Western portion of the United States. Its history, structure, and beliefs are outlined, and its leadership is introduced. Other resources include a gallery of photographs and access to various reports and documents.
http://www.ame5.org/
First Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
The A.M.E. First District represents the Bermuda, Delaware, New England, New Jersey, New York, Western New York, and Philadelphia conferences. A message from the Bishop is presented, along with its conference regions, an overview of its programs and ministries, announcements, and a directory of member churches and clergy. A district bookstore is included, and event registration may be completed online.
http://www.firstdistrictame.org/
Associated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Payne was organized in 1844, making it the oldest black seminary in the United States, offering an Africentric focused curriculum, with eighty percent of its coursework online. Reasons to choose Payne Theological Seminary are stated, along with an academic catalog, student policies, forms, and an academic calendar. Directions, faculty and administrative contacts, and other details are posted to the site.
http://payne.edu/
The WMS of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is an international, non-governmental organization that has been granted Special Consultive Category II Status by the United Nations in 1985, and made up of members across four continents. A history and overview of the WMS and the AME Church are set forth, its officers and partners are introduced, and a calendar of events are published to the site. Contributions may be made to the organization online, and an online store is also available.
http://www.wms-amec.org/
