Bill Number

GBD 34

Title Sons of Allen Preamble - Discipline of AME

Church, 2000 Edition Reference Part XII. Connectional Societies and

Organizations, Section V. Sons of Allen. Preamble, Page 451, Doctrine and Discipline of AME Church, 2000 Edition.

Intent To redefine and broaden the purposes of the

organization to provide opportunities for men (both clergy and lay); to develop, extend and model ministries in the spirit and life-work of Richard Allen; to adopt an official hymn; and to adopt an official attire.

Rationale To empower men with varied gifts to minister to

peculiar needs of men through the Sons of Allen. To adopt an official song and attire to serve as a rallying point; and to make it clear that the Constitution is adopted not merely proposed.

Change the Preamble, and Article I and II to read as follows: 1 2 SECTION V. SONS OF ALLEN 3 4 The Connectional Men’s Fellowship 5 PREAMBLE 6 7 To create a ministry for men, both clergy and lay, and which will seek to address the 8

needs for distinctive ministries to men, who are faced with spiritual, social, political and 9

psychological challenges, to equip men to follow the example of Andrew (John 1:41, 42) 10

who brought Peter to Jesus; to encourage men to implement ministries modeled by our 11

revered founder, Richard Allen as he sought to meet needs. The following constitution is 12

hereby adopted: 13

CONSTITUTION 14 ARTICLE 1 – NAME 15 16 There shall be an organization called the Sons of Allen of the African Methodist 17

Episcopal Church. 18

This organization shall be answerable to the Commission of Christian Education of the 19

African Methodist Episcopal Church. It shall be accountable to the General Board and 20

shall report and interpret its activities to the Board. 21

22 ARTICLE II – THE PURPOSE 23

24 The purpose of the Sons of Allen of the African Methodist Episcopal Church shall be: 25 26

a. To lead men to an acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; 27

b. To organize men into units and empower them to meet men’s needs in such 28

areas as Evangelism and Stewardship; 29

c. To teach the men of our denomination the history, doctrine and polity of our 30

denomination with focus on the life, mission and ministry of our ancestral 31

father, Richard Allen; 32

d. To assist men to witness their faith in daily living, such as in the workplace, 33

the community and the home; 34

e. To encourage men to engage in outreach and service as a part of Christian 35

servanthood; 36

f. To seek resources and support of men as husbands and fathers; 37

g. To empower men to serve as role models to young men and to develop youth 38

ministries such as scouting ministries, in local units; 39

h. To encourage men to share in ecumenical relations. 40 41 Delete present Article VI and renumber the succeeding Articles to current Article 42

IX, which becomes Article VIII; insert the following new Article IX and X, 43

remaining to be renumbered accordingly. 44

45 ARTICLE 1X. OFFICIAL HYMM 46 47 The official hymn for the Sons of Allen shall be the “Hymn for the Sons of Allen”, with the 48 text and tune composed by Frederick Hilborn Talbot, D. Min, 90th Bishop/Chief Pastor. 49

Hymn for the Sons of Allen 50 Tune: Hilfred 51 52 Rise up, O sons of Allen 53 Arise, and lift your voice 54 To God, redeeming Savior Lord, 55 To Christ, God’s servant choice 56 Thank God for Richard Allen, 57 Our founder, true and bold, 58 59 Whose life was swayed by justice firm 60 And brav-e-ry untold: 61 The Master calls for you! 62 63 Stand up, O sons of Allen, 64 Stand up with vision wide, 65 With strong compassion, hope, and joy, 66 With love, self-worth, with pride, 67 Stir up within Christ’s longing 68 For every one to share 69 The plenty of God’s good, rich earth, 70

For life, for health, for care: 71 The Master beckons you! 72 73 Rise up, O sons of Allen, 74 From worship rise and serve, 75 The child, the youth, the aged, the weak; 76 With humble heart and nerve, 77 Spread confidence, give comfort, 78 Give wholeness, counsel, aid; 79 That all may live in Christ, the light, 80 Fulfilled and un-a-fraid: 81 The Master summons you! 82 83

Bishop Frederick Hilborn Talbot (1927-) 84 Copyrighted 85

86 ARTICLE X. OFFICIAL ATTIRE 87 88 The official attire for the Sons of Allen shall be a maroon blazer with the official insignia 89

on the left upper pocket, gray slacks, white shirt and the AME shield on the tie. 90

Appropriate variations may be employed.91

92