1. “REVIEWING OUR PRACTICES”
TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE ACADEMIES
IDEAS FOR EFFECTIVE LAY COUNCILS
By Joyce Perry Edwards, M.Ch.Ed., Ph.D

2. “REVIEWING OUR PRACTICES”
WHO ARE WE?
A QUESTION FROM A SISTER

3. 2018-2019 FACILITATOR’S GUIDE 1ST LAY ACADEMY – Biblical Instructions
2nd LAY ACADEMY – Lessons from Frederick Douglass
3rd LAY ACADEMY – An Indepth Look at the Theme
4th LAY ACADEMY – Application of the Thematic Concepts

4. Tips for Effective Lay Academies
Opening the Lay Academy:
Conduct the devotional seriously.
In some way determine: Who Is Here?
Post the aim of the lay academy.
Have materials ready.

5. ACADEMY 1.
BIBLICAL INSTRUCTIONS ON CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Activity 1.
Identify a reader before the academy.
If time is limited, choose some of the Biblical passages.
Thank speakers for their contributions. Do not correct.
Activity 2. When about half of the group has finished, begin the review.
Activity 3. Don’t allow too much time for group discussions.
Activity 4. Prepare your statement in advance of the academy, but don’t read it word for word.

6. ACADEMY 2. LESSONS FROM A HISTORICAL ZIONITE: FREDERICK DOUGLASS
Activity 1. Post pictures of Frederick Douglass in the room. Use the very best male reader/dramatist available to read the part of Frederick Douglass and a very good reader to read the part of the Interviewer.
Activity 2. Write the correct answers on your paper before the academy. Focus on the correct answers, not the incorrect one.
Activity 3. Write the correct answers on your paper before the academy.
Activity 4. Thank anyone who gives a closing comment. Avoid correcting or adding to the person’s statement.

7. Tips for Effective Lay Academies
ACADEMY 3. ENCOUNTERING OUR THEME
Activity 1. Have copies of the puzzle with the answers printed in the puzzle from Academy 2 for everyone even though this puzzle was used in the previous academy.
Activity 2. If you have a large group, keep the groups small and assign areas to more than one group.
Activity 3. Accept whatever discussion the group spokesperson provides. However, you may wish to provide your own observations about each group, but don’t be dogmatic.
Activity 4. Thank anyone who gives a closing comment. Avoid correcting or adding to a person’s statement.

8. Tips for Effective Lay Academies
ACADEMY 4. USING EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP PRACTICES
1ST Paragraph. It may be a good idea to have someone read the lists on page 16 aloud before beginning the discussion.
2nd Paragraph. If you have a large group, you may wish to use small groups instead of the whole group. If you use the whole group, be sure to emphasize and follow the rule about speaking repeatedly.
3rd Paragraph. Accept the ideas presented. Do not attempt to correct. Select your recorder/summarizer before the academy.
4th Paragraph. Thank anyone who gives a closing comment. Avoid correcting or adding to a person’s statement.
Introduce the participants to the booklet: AN EFFECTIVE LAY COUNCIL IN THE LOCAL CHURCH: IDEAS FOR LAY COUNCIL LEADERS. If possible, have copies for sale.

9. An Effective Lay Council Local Church:
in the
Local Church:
Ideas for Lay Council Leaders
Developed by
The Education Committee
Connectional Lay Council
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
of the
Joyce P. Edwards, Ph.D., Chair, Education Committee
Mary J. Mathews, President, CLC
Bishop Michael A. Frencher, Sr., Chairman
Board of Lay Activities

10. AN EFFECTIVE LAY COUNCIL IN THE LOCAL CHURCH: IDEAS FOR LAY COUNCIL LEADERS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgements
About This Booklet
Getting Started When There Is No Lay Council the Local Church
Revitalizing a Lay Council
The First Meeting
Selecting Officers
10 Tips for Effective Meetings
Maintaining Interest: Focusing on Objectives
Leadership Development
By-laws for a Local Lay Council
.Recruiting Life Members
.Avoiding Common Problems