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This volume is intended to set in historical context the official United Methodist theological statements in the Disciplines of 1972 and 1988, and to foster reflection on and discussion of the 1988 statement. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A great primer of Wesleyan theology
I just finished "Basic United Methodist Beliefs: An Evangelical View".It is not so much about the UMC as a primer on John Wesley.It is a compilation of essays from "Good News" and also containsWesley's "The Character of a Methodist" in updated language.Itis really good!It is set up with a study guide at teh end of each chapterthat would make this a great book for Sunday school or in introduction toMethodism class. ... Read more

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The author believes that United Methodists are sometimes reluctant to bring up the subject of religion with their friends and next-door neighbors. They doubt that their acquaintances would be interested and feel it would be inappropriate to inquire about their personal faith. They know, however, that they should witness to United Methodist beliefs. How do United Methodists share their faith?

Discussing evangelistic practices that are unique to United Methodists, Rodney E. Wilmoth suggests ways in which Unite Methodists can become more comfortable about sharing their faith. ... Read more

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In volume offers insight and guidance regarding this new ministerial order both to those who are called into the diaconate, and those among whom they will minister.The book begins by locating the office of deacon within the larger United Methodist understanding the ministry of all God's people and of ordained ministers.Drawing on the stories of those whom God has called and ordained to the ministry of deacon, the authors portray the crucial link between the worship of the church and service to the world that is central to the office of deacon.The book concludes with answers to common questions asked by deacons and the churches in which their ministry takes place: Who pays for insurance? What about pensions? What responsibilities do deacons have to the congregations that hire them, and what to the conferences of which they are members? ... Read more

Product Description
Langford and Willimon urge readers to critically examine the current structure of the United Methodist Church and pursue radical changes.They assert that "local decision making and contribution must be enhanced; bureaucracy must be reduced; episcopal leadership must be re-established; our organizational form must be fitted to our missional function."Some may judge the authors' analysis as candid and their remedies promising; others may take exception to what they see as intemperate claims and calls for precipitous changes in UM polity.Readers are invited to enter into the conversation and make choices that can reform the United Methodist Church and shape its future. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Ideas the Methodist Church Needs
As a former Roman Catholic and then Southern Baptist and now United Methodist (for the last 20 years), I learned a lot about the organizational problems that we have as United Methodists by reading A New Connection.Isee now that there is hope for the Methodist Church to turn it's declinearound if we will heed the advice given in this book.I love the theologyand the people of the Methodist Church but the system is killing us.EveryUnited Methodist needs to read this book! ... Read more

Product Description
If your worship consists of dry, rigid orders from the past, your church will die. If your worship, however, becomes the focus of life of every member in your congregation, your church will live. Through a worksheet format that culls information and references from the 1989 United Methodist Hymnal, 1992 United Methodist Book of Worship, and 1992 Revised Common Lectionary, you'll be able to more effectively integrate preaching, music, movement, and environment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Useful Tool
The current hymnal in use by the United Methodist hymnal was published in 1989. It contains many of the rites used by the church but some of them were new presentations. The Book of Worship followed in 1992 and contains many more rites than the hymnal and including rubrics and services that are not in the hymnal. Both of these are well designed resources but assume the user knows what he or she is doing. This book addresses the problem that many do not.

The intention of this book is to help users of the UMH and BOW to plan worship services. It gives useful tips for planning, things to consider and plans for implementation. It also gives some background information on some of the rites which is not present in the BOW and UMH.

This will be useful only for a small segment of people but for those people, it should prove very useful.
... Read more

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Women in the United Methodist tradition have long expressed their commitment to Christ and to their sisters and brothers. Here is a collection of essays and primary source documents that tells the stories of pioneering ministries of United Methodist women--of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds--from the eighteenth century. Each essay traces the individual faith journeys and self-understanding of its subject. The stories also reveal the sexism and racism that confronted each woman overtly or covertly in church and society, as well as their own attitudes toward it.

A selection of primary source documents by the subject follows each essay; these personal statements express vividly each woman's vision of vocation. In this way, the volume provides a lens for interpreting and analyzing the subjects' lives through their own words and enables women and men of today to identify with the commitment, experiences, and struggles of these pioneers and apply them to their own faith journeys. Thus, through the witness of these women, Spirituality and Social Responsibility calls the church to accountability and discipleship, both pastorally and prophetically.

Product Description
Drawing on impressive research he has conducted amongboth the clergy and lay leaders of the denomination, Wood draws apicture of gradual yet distinct change in United Methodists' attitudestoward homosexuality. Compared with ten and even five years ago,levels of acceptance or openness to the full inclusion of homosexualpersons in the life and ministry of the church have increasednoticeably. Beneath the sometimes vociferous debate that accompaniesthis issue a quiet shift in the opinions and convictions of UnitedMethodists is taking place--one that needs to be taken into account ifa full understanding of who United Methodists are as a people of God,and what they should do, is to be possible. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Proving all things
Despite some of this book's expressed opinions to the contrary, what instructions does the Bible give regarding those who should be in a position of leadership and authority in the Church?With so many differing opinions, how do we know what to believe?

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says that: 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Timothy 2:15 says to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

1 Thessalonians 5:21 says to "Prove [test, examine, scrutinize, verify] all things; hold fast that which is good."

In Acts 17:11, the Apostle Luke wrote about the noble Bereans:"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

So, what does God's Word have to say about homosexuals/lesbians in the pulpit?

In 1 Timothy 3 (see Titus 1:5-16 as well), Paul instructed Timothy about those who should hold the office of a bishop or deacon: 2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour...

10And let these [deacons] also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

So the bishops and the deacons (those who are in charge) must be "blameless" and of "good behaviour".They must set an example for others to follow.Would God call abominable sin (Romans 1:26-27, Leviticus 20:13) "good behaviour" and those that commit such acts "blameless?"Should we also arbitrarily promote the idea of drunkards, fornicators, adulterers, extortioners, and pagan religions in the Church pulpit as well, despite God's strongly expressed will and commandments to the contrary?

Paul writes in Ephesians 4 that apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, are given to the church for the `perfecting of the saints' (v.12), among other good things.

14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Ephesians 5 says: 3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

5For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person...hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

Reprove, means `to rebuke' or `to correct', not `to promote, partake and fellowship with'.Jesus said in Revelation 3:19, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."

Titus 1 says: 10For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers... 11Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not...

13This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

In Revelation 2:18-23, we read how the church of Thyatira had allowed an adulterous woman named Jezebel to teach in the church.As a result of her influence, we read the Lord's servants were seduced into committing fornication and idolatry.Jesus rebuked this church and warned that failure to repent would result in judgment.There is hope though.Jesus gave even this false teacher space to repent of her deeds.

2 Peter 3:9 says that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance (turning away from sin...a change of mind).Unfortunately, many will reject God's Word, choosing rather to stubbornly remain willfully ignorant, continuing on in their sin.There will be no hope for them in the Day of Judgment.Hebrews 9:7 says it is given unto men once to die, and after that the Judgment.Jesus said in John 14:28 that in the last day, people will be judged by the Word which He has spoken.Therefore, our emphasis should be on His Word, as opposed to the fallible opinions of men.

Ministers in the pulpit teach not only by word, but by deed.They are an example to others.If I call myself a minister of the Lord, and condone living in open sin, this sends a strong message to weak believers.They would become emboldened to go out and sin, and if continued in, would eventually perish.Jesus said in Matthew 18:26/Mark 9:42/Luke 17:2 that it would be better for a millstone to be tied around a person's neck and them flung into the sea, than for them to offend [literally meaning to `cause to stumble'] someone. Are these matters left up to opinion?Do vain words of fallible men outweigh the Word of God?Sadly they will be held accountable for not only their own actions, but the influence they had on others on the Day of Judgment, unless they repent.

I strongly urge the reader to search the scriptures daily!See if the opinions and interpretations you read and hear from others line up with all of the Word of God. And finally, we should follow the instructions written in Romans 3:4, "..let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged."

Where the Spirit leads
1 John 4:1 says, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try [test, examine, scrutinize, verify] the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

This review is in response to the issue this book raises in advocating the acceptance and promotion of open sin into the church.When professing Christians depart from the truth and seek to elevate those living in open sin into a position of authority, then it suddenly becomes a serious issue that needs to be responded to.In the quest for truth, one can either turn to man's opinions, or to the source itself:God's own Word.

The church was warned early on about the rise of this kind of anti-Scriptural theology.Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, "3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

And also in 1 Timothy 4:2 he writes, "1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;"

In 2 Timothy 3:4-5, Paul warns Timothy of those who are, "4...lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

Paul, writing to Titus in Titus 1:16 said, "16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

In Matthew chapter 7, Jesus said, "15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

Are those who call themselves Christians, who are living in open sin, bringing forth `evil fruit'?By continuing in open sin and thus setting an example for others to follow, are they doing what Jesus would call the `will of my Father which is in heaven'?

Galatians 5:7-10, "7... who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 10... he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be."

2 Peter 2 says, "1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."

"14Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 15Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;"

"17These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."

How can it be any more plainly stated?Who are the "wolves in sheep's clothing" and the "false prophets"?How can they subtly gain entrance into the Church?By simply turning people away from the authority of the Word to the vain opinions of fallible men.Much of what they say is dressed in religious sounding terms.

Not everyone who claims to be speaking by the leading of the Holy Spirit is speaking by the leading of the Holy Spirit.That is why we are instructed in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 to "Prove [test, examine, scrutinize, verify] all things; hold tight that which is good", and in 1 John 4:1 to "Test [examine, scrutinize, verify] the spirits (to see) whether they are of God..."After comparing the liberal theology espoused in the pages of this book to the clear commandments in the Bible, we clearly see the two cannot be reconciled.So when man says one thing and God says another, who are we to believe?

Romans 3:4 answers, "...yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged."

Best book ever written on this subject
James Wood has written the definitive book for our time showing how the homosexuality debate within the mainline churches (specifically the United Methodist Church) exemplifies how the churches have always interpreted thebiblical witness within the surrounding culture's ethical and moralunderstandings.Wood shows how a person can be both a committed Biblicalbeliever and understand "the role of culture in mediating God'srevelation."Wood's sociological-organizational-church polityunderstanding of the issues is must reading for anyone who wants a specificvision of how the mainline churches can live in unity and avoid schismduring this crisis.The depth of understanding and the wealth of specificinformation contained in these 144 pages is astounding. ... Read more

Product Description
This completely updated reference book provides basic bibliographies for students of the Methodist movement and Wesleyan heritage. It identifies standard texts with emphasis on the best modern critical interpretations. ... Read more

Product Description

From 1939 to 1968 the Judicial Council of the former Methodist Church rendered Decision Numbers 1-255. This and other volumes of decisions are listed below. These are generally published in book format each quadrennium following The General Conference.

In the interim between the quadrennial editions the most recent decisions are included in The General Minutes each year. All Judicial Council Decisions can be found on the Internet at www.umc.org.

• DECISIONS JUDICIAL COUNCIL 1940-1968, 1-255, ISBN 9780687104055
• DECISIONS JUDICIAL COUNCIL 1968-1988, 301-609, ISBN 9780687104109
• DECISIONS JUDICIAL COUNCIL 1989-1992, 610-684, ISBN 9780687104116
• DECISIONS JUDICIAL COUNCIL 1993-1996, 685-798, ISBN 9780687058143
• DECISIONS JUDICIAL COUNCIL 1997-2000, 799-905, ISBN 9780687026968

Product Description

From 1939 to 1968 the Judicial Council of the former Methodist Church rendered Decision Numbers 1-255. This and other volumes of decisions are listed below. These are generally published in book format each quadrennium following The General Conference.

In the interim between the quadrennial editions the most recent decisions are included in The General Minutes each year. All Judicial Council Decisions can be found on the Internet at www.umc.org.

• DECISIONS JUDICIAL COUNCIL 1940-1968, 1-255, ISBN 9780687104055
• DECISIONS JUDICIAL COUNCIL 1968-1988, 301-609, ISBN 9780687104109
• DECISIONS JUDICIAL COUNCIL 1989-1992, 610-684, ISBN 9780687104116
• DECISIONS JUDICIAL COUNCIL 1993-1996, 685-798, ISBN 9780687058143
• DECISIONS JUDICIAL COUNCIL 1997-2000, 799-905, ISBN 9780687026968