ABOUT US

“Rooted in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion tradition, with a proud legacy in Vancouver’s Black community”

All are Welcome Here

We serve our whole community

Community AME Zion Church was established in 1975 in Vancouver, WA, and is rooted in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME Zion) denomination. For the local black community, it has been a vital spiritual, cultural, and civic hub. Music has always played a central role in our church's identity.

Since 2009, Rev. Dr. Joyce M. Smith has led the congregation. Under her leadership, the church has expanded its outreach across the Vancouver-Portland metro area.

We reflect the church’s belief that faith and civic engagement go hand in hand. That belief shows the church’s work. Partnering with the NAACP and local health organizations, the church has hosted cancer screenings during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, free COVID-19 testing kits, and vaccination clinics. The congregation provides food, housing assistance, and resources for the unhoused and underserved neighbors. Our mission is to reach the next generation through youth education and the wider community through civil rights advocacy.

Our legacy of Faith, Music, and Service will keep serving the community for generations to come.

Beliefs

OUR

AT COMMUNITY A.M.E. ZION

As Methodists, we believe in the Holy Trinity. There is only one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. We believe in the Bible, including that the Old and New Testaments are the infallible Word of God. We believe God is the sustaining and creative power of the entire universe. We believe Jesus is the only Son of God who was made flesh and dwelt among men.

We believe…

…the Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit) proceeds from God the Father and Jesus Christ, and He makes known His divine will to men, and bears witness with our spirits that we are the children of God.

Methodists believe man is made in the image of God, and salvation only comes by faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Those who trust and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior will have eternal life; which God has promised to all who accept Him.

We believe.

We believe there are only two sacraments in the Church. Sacraments are ceremonies or rites which Christ has specifically commanded His people to keep. These two sacraments are baptism and Holy Communion.

Baptism should symbolize the Christian’s new relationship with Christ. It is an outward symbol of the regenerating power on the inside of Jesus Christ.

Holy Communion symbolizes the last supper Jesus shared with His disciples. The unleavened bread symbolizes the body of Jesus Christ, who hung on the Cross for us. The wine is a symbol of the blood, which Jesus shed for us on the cross for the remission of all our sins.

Communion should remind us of the supreme sacrifice made by Christ. All who are baptized and confessed of their sins may partake in the Lord’s Supper.

“Stop doubting and believe.”

Worship with us

John 20:27

  • No, these beliefs apply throughout the A.M.E. Zion denomination.

    In the Book of Discipline of the African-Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, there are twenty-five articles of Religion. These further explain what we believe as Methodists.

  • Of course you may!

    If you feel led to attend church service with us, there is a reason…and the reason is God. Even if you don’t believe everything we as The Church believe (yet), God works in His own time. He may be telling you there is more for you to know or understand first.

    We at Community support your curiosity, which is why Church doesn’t begin and end with Sunday Service. The intent of programs such as Sunday School and Bible Study is to give you a safe space to grow in your faith journey.

    Join us to learn, and we hope you stay when you believe.

  • To be clear, you do not need to become a member to attend church service as often as you’d like.

    There are two classes of membership in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church: those who are probationary members and baptized children who are sponsored by their parents or guardians.

    Probationary members are those who have joined the Church and have shown a desire to be saved from their sins. This probationary period is to inform the new member of the rules and doctrines of the A.M.E. Zion Church. This allows a smooth transition into the church community.

    Members who are members in full connection are those who have successfully completed member’s class. Members in full connection cannot be arbitrarily removed from the membership roll without a trial, as set out in the Book of Discipline of the A.M.E. Zion Church.

    But don’t let that intimidate you, this is just a formal way of saying: When you’re here, we want you to know what it means to be here, and we want you to stay!