Exploring AME Churches Around the World

Course: Religious Studies / World History / Social Studies
Grade Level: Youth (Ages 12-18)
Duration: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

  1. Identify and locate AME Church congregations in different countries using maps.
  2. Imagine and describe what worship might look like in a particular AME church abroad, considering cultural and geographical influences.
  3. Research and compare their imagined worship experience with the actual practices of a specific AME congregation in a different country.
  4. Gain a deeper understanding of the diversity of AME Church practices across the world.

Materials Needed:

  • Digital or physical maps of the world showing AME Church locations globally
  • Computers/tablets for research (or printed research materials)
  • Projector and screen for class instructions and group presentations
  • Handouts with guiding questions for comparison (see below)
  • Markers, paper, or digital drawing tools for map annotation
  • Pre-selected AME church information from different countries (websites, articles, or printed material)

Lesson Outline:

Introduction (10 Minutes)

  1. Activity to Spark Interest: Start by asking students what they imagine worship might look like in different parts of the world. Would a church service in a different country feel the same as their local church service? Why or why not?
  2. Contextualization: Briefly explain the global reach of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, which began in the United States and has spread to various countries. AME churches exist in nations such as the Bahamas, South Africa, Kenya, and the United Kingdom, with each congregation adapting worship practices to local cultures and contexts.
  3. Learning Goal: Let students know they will explore and compare their imagination of AME worship in another country with the real practices of a congregation abroad.

Activity 1: Locating AME Churches on a Map (15 Minutes)

  1. Instructions:
    • Provide students with a map of the world (physical or digital).
    • Ask them to locate countries where AME churches exist. These could include:
      • The United States
      • South Africa
      • Kenya
      • England
      • The Bahamas
      • Jamaica
      • Liberia
    • As a class, briefly discuss why the AME Church spread across these countries (e.g., migration, African diaspora, missionary work, etc.).
  2. Task: Have students select one country or region with an AME congregation that interests them.
    • They will mark this location on the map and take note of it for their research.

Activity 2: Imagining Worship in a Different Country (15 Minutes)

  1. Guiding Questions for Imagination Exercise:
    • What do you think worship in an AME church in this country would feel like?
    • How might the music differ? (Consider traditional African music, Caribbean rhythms, or British gospel music.)
    • Would there be any differences in the style of preaching? (Think about cultural influences on communication and leadership.)
    • What kind of community outreach might this church focus on? (Consider local social issues, such as education, healthcare, or human rights.)
    • How do you think the church building or sanctuary might look? Would it be different from churches in the U.S.?

Task: Ask students to write or draw their imagined experience of worship in their selected AME church. They should describe the atmosphere, music, congregation, and sermon style, incorporating any details influenced by their knowledge of the country’s culture. Encourage creativity!

Activity 3: Researching the Real Congregation (30 Minutes)

  1. Instructions for Research:
    • Using the internet, library resources, or pre-provided handouts, ask students to research their chosen AME church in the selected country.
    • They should look for information on:
      • Worship style and practices
      • Music and cultural influences
      • Community involvement and social programs
      • History of the AME church in that country
      • Any notable figures from that congregation
    • Students should take notes on their findings.
  2. Helpful Research Questions:
    • How does the congregation incorporate local culture into its worship services?
    • Are there any differences in the service structure or leadership compared to what they might find in the United States?
    • What is the church’s role in the community? Does it address local issues like poverty, education, or health?

Activity 4: Comparing Imagined Worship with Reality (20 Minutes)

  1. Task:
    • Once students have completed their research, have them compare the real information about their AME congregation with the imagined worship experience they previously wrote or drew.
    • Students should reflect on:
      • What aspects of their imagined worship experience were similar to what they found in their research?
      • What aspects were different?
      • Why might those differences exist? (Consider the influence of geography, history, and culture.)
    • Encourage students to write a short paragraph comparing their imagined worship service to the real one.
  2. Sharing Findings:
    • Ask each student to share their comparison with the class, focusing on one interesting fact they learned about AME worship practices abroad.

Wrap-Up and Reflection (10 Minutes)

  1. Discussion Prompt:
    • What did you learn about how the AME Church adapts to different cultural contexts?
    • Why is it important to understand the diversity within religious practices?
    • How can this activity help you think about how religions around the world are practiced differently but also share common themes?
  2. Closing Thought:
    • Summarize how religion, while sharing core beliefs, adapts to the cultures in which it is practiced. This is an important way for religious communities to stay relevant and connected to the people they serve, whether in the U.S. or abroad.

Assessment:

  • Formative Assessment: Participation in the map activity, imagination exercise, and group discussion.
  • Summative Assessment: Students will submit a short (1-2 page) reflection comparing their imagined worship experience to the real practices of the AME church in their chosen country.

Homework/Extension Activities:

  1. Cultural Exploration: Ask students to explore other religious or spiritual practices around the world. How do these practices adapt to different cultures, and what similarities or differences can they find with their AME congregation research?
  2. Field Trip (Optional): If possible, arrange a visit to a local AME church or another religious service to compare their experiences with the information learned in class.

This lesson plan helps youth explore the diversity of AME Church practices across the globe. By engaging in imaginative thinking, research, and reflection, students will gain a deeper understanding of how religion adapts to cultural contexts and how it shapes communities worldwide.