George Brown

Subject:   Programs/Activities for your Local unit, Chapter, Conference and District

As Sons of Allen you are encouraged to become involved in activities which will aid you in creating a sense of Christian Community. The following Ideas may assist you in achieving your goals.  They are as follows:

Scouting:  The Boy Scouts of America is approved by the AME Church for the growth and development of our young men.  Each pastor is authorized to set up and maintain an organization in his church or see that the boys of his local church participate in the movement through other local Protestant churches. To begin a Scouting program contact your Annual Conference Director of Boy Scouts or the National Director of Boy Scouts.

Recreation:  Many men and young men see the church as a place for worship and worship alone.  Providing positive recreational activities can erase that idea.  Men of the church can organize into athletic teams or other group activities for enjoyment sake.  They can also take the young men of the church on recreational outings (bowling, movies, ball games, etc.) as well so that our youth can find that fun need not be found “on the corner”.

Workshops:  The church should be a place of learning, workshops can be organized for that purpose.  Possibilities include auto repair and maintenance, basic home repair, health and wellness, dealing with peer pressure and any others that the unit deems appropriate.

Church Service:  The unit can work and recruit youth to see to the basic work around the church and grounds to see that the church is kept in good condition, and to foster Christian responsibility.  Men of the church can also organize to work in the church through choirs, ushering, and other involvement in the active life of the church.

Community Service:  The unit can provide a vehicle to see that the aged and needy of the church have basic maintenance performed at their homes, work to see that political and social justice issues are addresses, work with schools and other area agencies to take part in mentoring programs for young men, and lead the way in any activity that serves to better the lives of others.

Manhood Training:  There are any number  of agencies and church related organization that now offer instructional packets for what is called “manhood training” a program of instruction and discipline that ends with young men who take part being acknowledged in  some type of manhood ceremony.  Possibilities for instruction and course material include; conflict resolution, African and African American History, responsibility, Bible and church history and physical fitness.  Men of the church can also be examples of positive black manhood, so that it can be understood that you don’t have to be on the athletic field or the music stage to be a “winner.”

Joint Activities with other Connectional Auxiliaries:   Such as the Women’s Missionary Society and Young People’s Division, young women of the church have the WMS as a vehicle of service when they go beyond YPD age.  The Sons of Allen can serve the same purpose for young men of the church when they go beyond YPD age.  Cooperative activities can make that transition easier and can assure coordination in the church’s mission activities.

Collaboration with Community Organizations:  Many social agencies, schools and other community action agencies are in disparate need of black male volunteers.   When you volunteer, you provide a presence that can’t otherwise be made available and wipe out the myth that the church is filled with women and not care about our communities.

Brethren, these are only suggestions, any positive activity agreed upon by the group is a good activity.  Finally, an informed SOA is an empowered SOA who can transform our churches and our communities by bringing African American men into an altering relationship with our Lord.