The Unofficial United Methodist Handbook

The Unofficial United Methodist Handbook
Author: F. Belton Joyner, Jr.
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Total Pages: 226
Release: 2010-09-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1426724969
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Following Jesus is hard to do – but even harder if we take ourselves too seriously. The Unofficial United Methodist Handbook is the indispensable companion for anyone trying to live a committed Christian life, with a healthy dose of humor. Timeless biblical truths stand alongside everyday life situations that everyone meets, with step-by-step instructions that make the going easy: How to Stay Alert in Church How to Identify an Angel (with diagram) How to Survive for One Hour in an Un-Air-Conditioned Church How to Share Your Faith with Someone How to Identify and Avoid Evil How to Survive an Old Testament Plague How to Memorize a Bible Verse Common Christian Symbols and What They Mean What Is Unique about The United Methodist Church and Its History …plus dozens of other illustrations, maps, diagrams, and essential tips! This unique and incredibly handy resource is perfect for United Methodist youth, adults, students, families, and all those interested in learning about life in the church.

The Unofficial United Methodist Handbook for Pastors

The Unofficial United Methodist Handbook for Pastors
Author: F. Belton Joyner, Jr.
Publisher:
Total Pages: 228
Release: 2007
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780687641956
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A very handy handbook that provides amazingly essential information and practical tips every pastor needs to know, delivered with brevity and a good sense of humor. Be prepared to laugh as you try to keep hold of the reins--like the circuit rider of yesteryear. The Unofficial United Methodist Handbook for Pastors gives serious information and practical tips to uplift your spirit and warm your heart. Like The Unofficial United Methodist Handbook for the well-informed churchgoer, this handbook for pastors illustrates timeless biblical truths in everyday living, making life easier--and much more entertaining. This book captures all the essential information every pastor needs close at hand to prevail in any circumstance, and have a good and well-needed chuckle along the way: · How to Support and Empower the Church Council without Becoming a Dictator or a Wallflower · How to Know if You're Called to Be a Pastor · Ten Things You Should Never Say to a Church Member · How to Recover from Christmas and Easter Overload · How to Preach a Stewardship Sermon without Sounding Like You Are Begging for a Raise · How to Keep Both Your Job and Your Family · How to Use Your Family Members as Sermon Illustrations without Alienating Them or Boring the Congregation · How to Retire from Ministry Gracefully · What is unique about United Methodist Ministry ...plus dozens of other illustrations, maps, diagrams, and essential tips! This unique and incredibly handy resource is perfect for United Methodist ministers and all who help lead congregations. View the Table of Contents

The United Methodist Clergy Book of Firsts

The United Methodist Clergy Book of Firsts
Author: F. Belton Joyner Jr
Publisher: Foundery Books
Total Pages: 142
Release: 2017-11-15
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781945935077
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Written especially for licensing schools and the United Methodist Course of Study, this book of firsts will see pastors through those uncertain early days in ministry. Some of the firsts include: first sermon, first service, first baptism, first Communion, first challenge of pastoral authority, first Church Council meeting, first visit to dying person, first funeral, first wedding, first charge conference, first D.S., first move, first colleague, first bad cold (what do I do if I get sick on Saturday night?), first person who doesn't like you, first vacation, first day off, first non-required book, first parsonage, first bishop, first social justice issue, first tradition you challenge, first nominations meeting, first record-keeping, first funeral director, first sexual temptation, first opportunity for community service, first schedule conflict, first school pressure, first personal family issue, first bulletin or projected material, first bishop, first fund-raising, first stewardship campaign, first personal devotions, first burn-out, first counseling session, first challenge to Discipline, first connectional meeting, first meeting with Board of Ordained Ministry, first robe or alb, first new clothes, first paying of bills, first theological conflict, first Bible study, first revival, first dealing with groupie, first major snafu, first retirement plan decision, first electronic communication.

United Methodist Doctrine

United Methodist Doctrine
Author: Scott J. Jones
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Total Pages: 313
Release: 2002
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 068703485X
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Throughout this book, Scott J. Jones insists that for United Methodists the ultimate goal of doctrine is holiness. Importantly, he clarifies the nature and the specific claims of "official" United Methodist doctrine in a way that moves beyond the current tendency to assume the only alternatives are a rigid dogmatism or an unfettered theological pluralism. In classic Wesleyan form, Jones' driving concern is with recovering the vital role of forming believers in the "mind of Christ, " so that they might live more faithfully in their many settings in our world.

Ministry Makeover

Ministry Makeover
Author: Rosario Picardo
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 89
Release: 2015-02-16
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1630878502
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Ministry Makeover examines the decline within the church, especially the United Methodist Church (UMC), and some causes for this decline. It calls for a reforming of United Methodist structure and polity by drawing more attention to the value of the bi-vocational model of ministry and a re-visitation of the Wesleyan/United Brethren view and historical perspective. This book establishes a solid theological foundation upon which to build this shift and it goes a step beyond typical ecclesiology (the study of the church) to identify Trinitarian theology as the basis for the practice of the church. In turn, this text reveals bi-vocational ministry and support of new congregations as not only a viable option, but also arguably the model towards which the church is heading. These insights will transform the church and lead to more effective church ministry with respect to resources, structure, and reach in a post-Christendom world context. Picardo uses Embrace Church (Lexington, KY) as a case study, and incorporates his experiences into this text in order to show how these implications have played out in a true bi-vocational, church-plant context.

Just in Time! Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Services

Just in Time! Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Services
Author: F. Belton Joyner JR.
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Total Pages: 85
Release: 2010-09-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1426725701
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Jesus: God's Unlikely Revelation Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Services includes biblically-based sermons, suggested scriptures, children's time, hymn and prayers, as well as litanies for lighting the Advent wreath. Also included are suggestions for seasonal funerals. These services offer a completing message of hope during this important church season, when people often visit a church for the first time. Each service focuses on and celebrates a different aspect of the theme: Jesus: God's Unlikely Revelation 1. First Sunday of Advent- Jesus: The Unlikely Image of God (Genesis 1:26-27; Colossians 1:15-17) 2. Second Sunday in Advent Jesus: The Unlikely Gift from God (Isaiah 55:1-9) 3. Third Sunday of Advent Jesus: The Unlikely Story of God with Us (Matthew 1:18-25) 4. Fourth Sunday of Advent Jesus: The Unlikely Messiah (John 7:25-31) 5. Christmas Eve Jesus: An Unlikely Peacemaker (Luke 2:8-20) 6. Christmas Day An Unlikely Christmas Card (Matthew 2:13-23) 7. Epiphany John the Baptizer: Jesus' Unlikely Herald (John 1:1-14) Seasonal Funerals

Life in the Fish Bowl

Life in the Fish Bowl
Author: F. Belton Joyner, Jr.
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2006
Genre: Clergy
ISBN: 9780687332946
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Helping pastors understand that a solid family life helps them meet the needs of their congregation

Guidelines Pastor

Guidelines Pastor
Author: General Board Of Discipleship
Publisher: Cokesbury
Total Pages: 30
Release: 2016-11-15
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1501829823
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The pastoral leader is the primary spiritual leader of the congregation. The pastor carries the responsibility for a number of different ministry tasks, which are condensed into seven categories. Effective pastors will also take intentional time for their own spiritual growth and restoration to maintain a vital ministry. This Guideline helps each pastor navigate their role a pastoral leader. This is one of the twenty-six Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation 2017-2020 that cover church leadership areas including Church Council and Small Membership Church; the administrative areas of Finance and Trustees; and ministry areas focused on nurture, outreach, and witness including Worship, Evangelism, Stewardship, Christian Education, age-level ministries, Communications, and more.

This Holy Mystery

This Holy Mystery
Author: Gayle Carlton Felton
Publisher: Upper Room Books
Total Pages: 81
Release: 2005-04-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0881776750
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"This is the body of Christ. This is the blood of Christ." It's Communion Sunday. The service is a little longer, and the sacrament is observed with gravity. You know it's important, but the wonder is lost. What does it all mean, really? According to the results of a survey, you're not alone. United Methodists have a strong sense of the importance of Holy Communion, but they also lack a meaningful understanding of the theology behind it. Reclaim a richer sacramental life in your congregation through a group study of This Holy Mystery. In 2004, the General Conference of The United Methodist Church adopted an official interpretative document on Holy Communion. For the first time in our history, the denomination has an official, comprehensive statement of the practice and theology of the Lord's Supper. Now, it's time for congregations to help members understand the observance. "We believe that study of this document will yield increased appreciation for the sacrament in the worship experience and enable United Methodist people to draw nourishment and strength for their ongoing journeys of faith," writes Felton. This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion is a study guide of the General Conference–approved document. An all-in-one resource, this book is for both participants and leaders. It's divided into 7 sessions, providing commentary on the history, practice, and principles of Holy Communion in United Methodist congregations. It also points to implications of the sacrament for ministry and mission. We come to the Table of the Lord, seeking to have our spiritual needs met. The benefits include forgiveness, nourishment, healing, transformation, ministry and mission, and eternal life. Renew your appreciation for the divine grace made available through this sacrament.