African Methodist Episcopal Church 4 th Episcopal District Department of Christian Education “Theology & Christian Education” The Right Reverend John R. Bryant Presiding Prelate of the 4 th Episcopal District Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church The Rev. Dr. James F. Miller, 4 th Episcopal District Director of Christian Education The Rev. Dr. Reginald Blount, Dean 4 th Episcopal District Congress From the working of The Rev. Ernest J. Garrison

“Theology & Christian Educaton PURPOSE: To examine Christian Education, and how it relates to the field of Theology GOAL: To assess our method of teaching in Christian Education and how it helps the student or disciple’s awareness of Deity. OBJECTIVE: To present Theology through a Christian’s prospective; to enlighten, enhance and/or develop their relationship with Deity and how it affects their walk with Christ. 2

“Theology & Christian Education” What is Theology? (1) The study of religious faith, practice, and experience; especially: the study of GOD and of GOD’s relation to the world. Webster, New Collegiate Dictionary 3

“Theology & Christian Education” What is Theology? (2) A study of a Deity and humanity’s relationship or connection to that Deity. Ernest Garrison 4

“Theology & Christian Education” What is Theology: As Christians, we believe in GOD who has given us our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ. FAITH: Methodist which only means our method of worship through the evangelical faith which is having saving grace in our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ. DENOMINATION: African Methodist Episcopal 5

“Theology & Christian Education” What is Theology? It is a study and/or process used in an attempt to answer the following questions: Who am I? Where did I come from? How did I get here? Now that I am here, what’s next? What is life about anyway? 6

“Theology & Christian Education” What is Theology? Man has been studying Theology for years and has come up with many attempts to answer these questions. Although we will share the doctrine that will attempt to answer these questions, the Christian Educator does this using the Christian’s prospective which we will expound on later in this session. 7

“Theology & Christian Education” First of all, let’s look at the world’s prospective and how the universal world of theology evolved. 8

“Theology & Christian Education” 9 D E I T Y ISLAM (Arab) OTHER THEOLOGICAL DOCTRINES CHRISTIANITY (European) JUDISM (Hebrew) HENDUISM (Asian Indian) BUDDISM (Orient) ATHEISM (Reject Deity) AGNOSTIC (Questions Deity) NON-COMMITTED (Just Don’t Know Enough)

“Theology & Christian Education” If you look at the diagram, it gives Christianity a European origin in that it was the result of the Christian Crusades that led to the spread of Christianity through the European dominated Country. But, beginning in the 1960’s & 1970’s Christian Theologian began to question the orgin and practice of Theology among the Christian faith to the point that arguments led to the birth of “Liberation Theology” 10

“Theology & Christian Education” Liberation Theology: Liberation Theology came about simularly to the origin of the African Methodist Episcopal Church or the Free African Society. It was born in the Latin Countries where the people, like Blacks, felt oppression and that they could no longer relate to the same God as the European or oppressor. That their God must be a God that liberates and not oppress. 11

“Theology & Christian Education” Liberation Theology: Therefore, out of Liberation Theology, the religious world expanded to many small forms of theological beliefs: 12

“Theology & Christian Education” 13 LIBERATION THEOLOGY FEMININE THEOLOGY BLACK THEOLOGY CHRISTIANITY (African-American) GAY THEOLOGY RASTAFARIAN (West Indies) LATIN (South America) ATHEISM (Reject Deity) AGNOSTIC (Questions Deity) NON-COMMITTED (Just Don’t Know Enough)

“Theology & Christian Education” You may notice by the diagram on the previous page, that Liberation Theology opened the door to many other questions and perspectives such as feminine and gay theology. Although they may seem weird and even flirting with abomination, this is the result of humanity seeking GOD through their own personal perceptive. 14

“Theology & Christian Education” But, this movement also led to the theological mission and purpose of the Free African Society concept and the African Methodist Episcopal Church. If you look at the mission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church you will begin to understand why there is a need for the A.M.E. Church and why it is still spreading across the globe. 15

“Theology & Christian Education” Our name further explains us: African:Our denomination was founded by people of African decent in This does not mean others are not welcome, rather a historic foundation in our name. Methodist:Our faith and doctrine is Methodist. Episcopal:Our form of government is with Bishops, Elders and Deacons or the Apostolic accession. 16

“Theology & Christian Education” We are the first Incorporated Black Church in America (1816) with a unique organization: Episcopal Districts: We have 20 Episcopal Districts comprising of the Continental United States and the countries of Canada and India 1-13, the continent of African 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20 with the Islands and Europe as District 16 17

“Theology & Christian Education” The African Methodist Episcopal Church was born out of oppression that people of African decent were experiencing right in the Church where they normally would seek relief from oppression. This was part of the argument of Liberation Theology, that one outside of the European Community can not receive refuge or peace to worship GOD in spirit and in truth. Therefore, one was forced to seek GOD and all of His persona and grace elsewhere. 18

“Theology & Christian Education” A Christian Educator needs to understand that we seek GOD out of our existence, environment, and where we are. Whether it be urban or rural, educated or non-education, agricultural or industrial; whatever the background or circumstances, we will seek GOD from that point. 19

“Theology & Christian Education” Therefore, in order to be a good and effective Christian Educator, you need to know where your disciples are coming from: Ethnicity & Biological make-up Environment & Perspective Education & Social Status Circumstance & Dilemma History or Background Marital Status & Home Etc. 20

“Theology & Christian Education” Even in our own community, you may find different perspectives. One which struck me and changed my way of referencing GOD is with women who have been abused to the point of fearing men in a negative way. I sometimes find myself not using HE when referring to GOD. Now you may disagree with me on this, but, to that oppressed and abused sister, it may help her in knowing that GOD is a spirit that can be worshiped in spirit and in truth. 21

“Theology & Christian Education” In summary, Theology is studying our relationship that we have with a Deity. To us that is GOD, Jehovah. He gave us a personal saviour the Christ that is our refuge in times of trouble; a deliverer, a protector, during life as well as after this life, GOD has made provisions for us to be saved and delivered from life’s circumstance whatever circumstances we are in. 22