African Methodist Episcopal Zion Churches

Zion Methodism adheres to the traditional American Methodist liturgy adapted by Francis Asbury. Although its basic ritual pattern has remained unchanged, renewal is having an effect on observance of the Christian year and on music and spirituality. Traditional. The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, over the course of two centuries, has resisted expansion or revision of its worship pattern under the influence of the broad range of possibilities in worship today. There is a tenacious will to retain a staid, European-style African-American church: orthodox, quiet, and reserved. The rituals of Zion Methodism continue to be the 1792 form of Methodist liturgy revised by Francis Asbury. This continuum of worship experience makes Zion Methodism the purest form of Methodist worship. This is seen not as a hindrance to true worship, but it does maintain constancy throughout the denomination. New Elements in Worship. An earnest effort has been made during the past ten years to make Zi…