Recent political events in the USA indicate that ordinary people are weary of traditional politics and ways of doing business in the halls of power. A similar mood is present in churches around the world. Ordinary church members are tired of the fighting and politicking that seem to privilege the same people all the time. They want a new way of making decisions in their churches and in their representative meetings. This book shows them how such a hope can be realized.Robert's Rules of Order, or the traditional parliamentary style of decision-making used in many churches, can work for simple decisions that are aggregated and passed by consent. For complex and divisive issues, churches need a decision process that does not result in a combative, winner-take-all approach to church life. A healthy church also tries to involve commitment from a wide range of stakeholders rather than privilege a few well-informed and capable speakers. A vital and healthy congregation yearns for a more collaborative, respectful, encouraging, engaging, and empowering process.This book on discernment in the church provides a step-by-step guide on how to create a new way of working together. Drawing on tried and tested processes, it advocates for a consensus building approach and showing people how it can work in their setting (local church or judicatory meetings). Readers will learn how to design a consensus building business process for their church meeting while still respecting the denominational and legal requirements under which they must operate.This book is for leaders, members of church boards and committees, and church members who know that there is something wrong with the present system but don't know what to do about it. This guidebook is hopeful, inspiring, and practical.
Engaging and accessible to students from all backgrounds, this book is a comprehensive introduction to the Old Testament. It is designed to equip readers with the knowledge and skills needed to read, interpret, and benefit from the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible in their own context. Using scholarly consensus and current research with numerous examples, this book helps prepare students for further advanced courses related to exegesis, individual books, and special topics. It also provides a balanced approach to controversial areas in biblical scholarship such as violence, sexuality, and slavery.More importantly, this introduction understands the Old Testament as a resource for the human quest for meaning making it an essential tool for helping students appropriate this, often neglected, part of the Bible for their own faithful living.It includes at-a-glance sections to highlight matters of special interest- including material about important ancient Egyptian west Asian documents; significant archaeological excavations; a demonstration of textual criticism; problematic translation issues such as Gen 1:1, Isa 7:14, or Job 19:25; special problems such as the chronology of the kings and the dating of the second fall of Jerusalem.
What Christians believe about God, the Bible, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Church.
Written completely in Korean, this book gives guidance designed to support the ministries of The Korean United Methodist Church.Written completely in Korean, this book gives guidance designed to support the ministries of The Korean United Methodist Church.
Jones argues that several unique factors remain available to The UnitedMethodist Church today from the period of rapid growth between 1800 and1840. Drawing on the image of Loren Mead's Once and Future Church and Moises Naim's analysis in The End of Power,Jones argues that a viable future for United Methodism is to recapturethe dynamism of being a movement, with many of the characteristics ofearly 19th century Methodism coming to the fore. It will draw on threekey works about Methodism in the first half of the 19th century: NathanHatch's Democratization of American Christianity, John Wigger's Taking Heaven by Storm, and Gregory Schneider's The Way of the Cross Leads Home.The book talks about how the Wesleyan form of church contains importantresources for the future of Christianity. It focuses on the UnitedStates and the first half is broadly applicable to all denominations inthe Wesleyan tradition. The last half of the book discusses obstaclesthat are currently preventing the United Methodist Church from achievingits potential. It closes with a hopeful vision of what a renewed UnitedMethodism might look like.
Raise more money for ministry and mission by better using electronic media.
"Don't Make Me Come Up There!" is filled with inspirational and hilarious true-life stories and reflections written by a very human mom. The 52 reflections encourage moms to revel in the everyday beauty of their lives and grow closer to God through it all.
In his popular series of books "e;From the Back Side,"e; J. Ellsworth Kalas looks at Christian topics through a new lens, takes unique starting points on those subjects, and uses creative re-telling from different points of view.In Faith from the Back Side, Kalas exploressomething that is centralin a Christian life but often difficult to understand. "e;We exercise faith every day, in hundreds of secular moments, then struggle to find it in its purest form when we need God's help the most. The back side, indeed! Sometimes it's the only side of faith we can seem to approach. Yet faith is nearer than our hands or feet, and more real than the air we breathe. It's time we learned more about it."e;(J. Ellsworth Kalas, adapted from the foreword)A discussion guide is included for small-group use.
Second chair leaders play a critical role in churches across the world. They serve in paid and unpaid capacities, and include laity, ordained clergy, bivocational, licensed local pastors and others who lead significant ministries, but who are not the lead or senior pastor.Mike Bonem, author of Leading from the Second Chair, takes that important work to the next level, with Thriving in the Second Chair. Here, Bonem points readers beyond their external circumstances to the ways they can act and think differently. He highlights ten key factors that will help second chair leaders do more than just survive. These deep ';springs' will enable them to thrive, so that their lives and ministries are fulfilling, vital, and sustainable.The first three springs relate to the single most important professional relationship for any second chair leader their relationship with the first chair. The next four look at some of the most common and essential aspects of the secondchair's job. The final three springs are arguably the deepest and most important. They enable second chairs to thrive even if they're struggling with the first seven. These three springs offer help for staying spiritually anchored, overcoming loneliness, and becoming re-energized.
Catch is a comprehensive program for invitational evangelism developed by the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, one of the fastest-growing churches in the U.S. This newly revised and updated resource shows you how to attract visitors to your church, connect them with your faith community, and help them learn to know, love, and serve God. The Catch program has three phases: This Small-Group Participant Book takes small groups through four weeks of Bible study and intense evaluation designed to help your church attract visitors and then welcome them into the life of your community. Participants emerse themselves in the concepts and practices of invitational evangelism through daily readings that include Scripture, devotion, and reflection questions. This four-week study features a Small-Group DVD with Leader Guide (available separately) that will lead your group through prayer, Bible study, and discussion. The study includes ideas for transforming your congregation, as well as action steps and personal reflection. The four weekly topics include: 1. Becoming relentlessly outward focused 2. Deciding what makes your church unique 3. Welcoming and inviting people in 4. Ways you can help
Author Warren Carter addresses the ways in which New Testament writings present Godby asking four questions about how God relates to others: How is Godpresented in relation to Israel? How is God presented in relation toJesus and the Spirit? How is God presented in relation tobelievers/disciples/the church? How is God presented in relation to ';theworld'? Carter uses these questions to help draw out the most importantfactors in each of the New Testament writings discussed."e;Rarelydoes one exclaim, ';This is a real page-turner!' when describing a bookon the New Testamentbut I must say it. With his characteristicconcision and clarity, not to mention wit and conversational style,Carter leads us on a tour of ';God-at-Work' in fifteen closely-readtexts. What claims do the various texts make about God? What questionsor ';red flags' do these texts raise? What effect do or should thesetexts have upon us as readers today?Carter intrepidly takes up someof the more challenging and cryptic NT texts and asks aloud many of theuncomfortable questions we've wondered about but might not have voicedso pointedly. He does not provide tidy answers, but his approach enticesus not to give up, but rather to dive even deeper into the texts, theirworld, and ours. In reading this book, I was variously educated,entertained, challenged, and even moved."e; -Jaime Clark-SolesProfessor of New Testament and Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor,Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
You can only preserve your passion and energy for ministry by learning to use your Off switch!
This small-group study by Jeanne Torrence Finley is based on Rueben P. Job's book Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living. Six sessions provide extended reflection for adults on three principles ofChristian life: do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God. Eachrule has a session to help you understand the rule and a session to helpyou explore ways to practice the rule. The Leader Guide containseverything needed to guide a group through the6-week study, including session plans, discussion questions, and otheruseful information for organizing, leading, and publicizing your studygroup.
In this 6-session study, Dr. Moore uses key scriptures that distinctively shape us as United Methodists. Each session also lifts up and uses core terms and life application topics taken from the Wesley Study Bible to help you grow as a faithful follower of Jesus as you practice your faith in everyday life. Study questions are included at the end of each chapter for private devotion or small group study.
A breath of fresh air to rejuvenate our churches and denomination.
The New Interpreter's Bible Commentary offers critically sound biblical interpretations. Guided by scholars, pastors and laity representing diverse traditions and academic experience, this collection of commentary meets the needs of preachers, teachers, and all students of the Bible. Easy-To-Use Format A detailed, critical commentary providing an exegetical "close-reading" of the biblical text Reflections that present a detailed exposition of issues raised in the biblical text Introductions to each book that cover essential historical, sociocultural, literary, and theological issues An ecumenical roster of contributors Comprehensive, concise articles Numerous visual aids (illustrations, maps, charts, timelines) enhance use
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