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Now in it's second printing, Sacraments & Discipleship is an accessible way to learn about the meaning of the sacraments in a nonsectarian yet thoroughly United Methodist way.Drawing on scripture, Christian tradition and personal pastoral experience, Stamm discusses baptism and Holy Communion as works that should elicit a life of responsible discipleship. ""We will emphasize the work of God's grace, yet we will insist that there is a human side of the covenant,"" he writes, ""our work of receiving grace.""A free 6-session online study guide is available here. Sacraments & Discipleship is an excellent reference source and tool for teaching a class on the sacraments. ... Read more

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1084 pages ... Read more

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2010–2011 United Methodist Music and Worship Planner

Customer Reviews (2)

must have for music directors.
I'm a music director at a methodist church and I wouldn't go one week without this resource-- as a supplement to other resources, it's great.Not much on its own-- but keeps planning time reasonable, especially picking weekly hymns and getting ideas for choral anthems.A great place to start each week and being able to see all the scripture on one page is really helpful.

excellent resource
What a great product!And a great price!I use this publication to prepare sermons and find it so very helpful.I received it so quickly that all I can say is..wow~Thanks ... Read more

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. Expresses in simple language what the people of this denomination believe and how they interpret the ageless affirmation of the Bible. Includes study guide, 8 sessions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great for Orientation and Foundation
I just finished leading my Sunday School class through the book.The class consists of folks from different denominational backgrounds, many of whom are new to the UMC, and they absolutely loved it.I supplemented the discussion with some material to expound upon Grace [prevenient, justifying, sanctifying], and referred to these concepts throughout, to amplify the book material.This is an excellent book for adult new-member class.

Major United Methodist Beliefs
I have read the original issue of this book and am looking forward to the latest. Every Methodist should have one, and every Methodist should understand it's contents.
Robert Wysor

For Learning or Teaching
This speaks of the roots, sacramental views, and the general theological foundations of the United Methodist Church.While the author does use theological terminology and "church-ese" in the book, everything is pretty well explained.

Stokes suggests it be read individually or in groups and it's great that he includes discussion questions in the back of the book. I actually used this book as a guide to teach my congregation more about what it meant to be a United Methodist Church.

This book can easily be adapted for lecture-style teaching and the questions included by the author made for good discussion in small-group and large-group settings.I even had youth asking questions and having discussion with each other and adults about topics throughout this book.

It's a good read for anyone who wants to learn about or have a clearer understanding of the United Methodist Church and its beliefs.

A must read for all United Methodist
Gave me a greater understanding in worship and gave me a renewed sense ofvitality in my worship experience. Well written and easy to understand ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Ecnonomical Hymnal Option
Our small church found this an economical way to purchase extra hymnals.We appreciate the opportunity to make donated money go further.
Overall I like the format of the hymnal, especially the psalms for responsive reading.I also like the inclusion of many of the gospel hymns that were left out of the previous edition.
My only quarrel with this edition is that there is no acknowledgment that the words of many of the hymns have been altered to make them more inclusive.I do not have a problem with the fact that it was done, but it seems bad scholarship not to mention somewhere what was done and why. ... Read more

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8 sessions.A concise look at United Methodist history and doctrine. Includes study guide ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

great info
This book was exactly what I was looking for. I found my answers. The book was new and arrived fast.

Excellent Read
Good book for anyone, Christian or not.
Well written theology on the Methodist religion.

When are they gonna show up?
I have read a number of introductions to the Methodist Church/doctrine/history type books, and I really think that "Meet the Methodists" may be the worst one.I didn't find much in it that clearly represented any Methodist beliefs as they are taught by Wesley and the Church.What I did find was a sort of fuzzy Liberal American Protestantism that has little to do with the mainstream of Wesleyanism.You would do much better to read "John Wesley's Message Today" by Lovett Weems Jr. OR "Eight Life-Enriching Practices of United Methodists" by Henry H. Knight IIIOR "A Pocket Story of John Wesley" by Charles A. Sauer (that last one is more like a glorified pamphlet but it is a very good concise introduction to the Wesleyan revival).

You won't meet anyone!
As an active Methodist, a devotee of John Wesley, and a reader of many tomes on this denomination, I found this book poor on almost every score.You won't get to know any great Methodists well from this book.You also won't learn much about Methodist doctrine.

You will get a watered-down, highly liberal slant on what the United Methodist Church is up to today, with a little skewed history tossed in.If that's what you want, order it.If you want to find out about Wesley, order a biography or his own writings instead.If you want to learn about Methodist Doctrine, read the nice little volume of that title by Campbell.

Sharp Little Book
This is an excellent introduction to the history and beliefs of Methodism.For anyone who wants a good introduction to John Wesley and the Methodists, this is it. I've used it to teach new-member classes and have found it to be very helpul! ... Read more

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An introduction to the journey of faith as traveled by United Methodists - and a survey of their history, beliefs, mission, and church organization. Chester E. Custer interprets the basic theological beliefs and membership vows, with special attention to their implications for an active ministry of the laity in congregations, communities, and the world.Required text for Lay Speakers Interpret to Others Our United Methodist Heritage: Advanced Course.See also A Pocket Story of John Wesley. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

United Methodist Primer
Excellent source for those wanting to investigate the beliefs of the Methodist faith.Both easy to read and understand. ... Read more

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7 MYTHS OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH looks at the attitudes and assumptions that keep the church from fulfilling its call to build discipleship-making faith communities. The myths challenge leaders to create environments of grace for people disconnected from the local church.

"When we face our current reality, we'll be able to move forward to recover more movement than institution, more grace than despair, more courage than fear and more life than death," writes Miller. "I invite you to join in a conversation about the future of the church. ...Change will not happen until we are willing to share our hearts and listen with compassion to the deep-seated hopes and fears that we live with every day."

Miller includes writings from pastors who are making a difference for God in their communities. The essays break down the myths, present the realities and celebrate the vision of those who are revitalizing congregations and building new ones.

Contributors include: Duane Anders, Daniel Chang, Bau Dang, Joe Daniels, Dottie Escobedo-Frank, Rob Huckaby, Linda McCoy, Rudy Rasmus, Vance Ross and David Simpson.

Join these effective, progressive church leaders as they explore the compelling need to connect with the world as it is. As in times past, the church will "co-create with the culture to bring the message of Christ to the world," fulfilling the Gospel call.

For 7 Myths extras a Powerpoint series, blogs and more go to the book's webpage. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

churchlady1
Excellent publication.The title is misleading.Nice to know we Methodists can get our publications and products at Amazon ... Read more

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This volume in the United Methodist Studies series challenges United Methodists to engage in life-transforming practices. The author explains a theme and underscores major emphases within the United Methodist denomination. This adult study is divided into four sections with suggestions for group discussion, and can be completed in 4 to 8 sessions. No leader’s guide is needed.The sections are:1 - Living from the Heart - This chapter examines the essence of prayer and devotional life for United Methodists: holiness of heart and life. The chapter is divided into two sections to enable this examination: Cimmunion (heart) and Compassion (life).2 - Read and Pray Daily - Exploring these two central disciplines in Christian formation and the Wesleyan Tradition guides readers into practical expressions of what it means to read devotionally (lection divina) and pray continually (the life of prayer).3 - Get Connected! - The idea of "connectionalism" is a significant part of our tradition. This chapter examines this idea from two vantage points of classic formation principles and the concrete structures Wesley used in early-Methodism, which still contain implications for today.4 - Go On! - The cultivation of prayer and devotional life in United Methodism is not about "attainment" but rather about "journey." This chapter examines the pilgrimage motif through the two lenses of the biblical doctrine of Christian perfection, and the practical development of that message through an action/reflection model of Christian formation. ... Read more

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Where do we go from here? The dynamic history and identity of the United Methodist Church is lost among the pluralistic landscape in America today. As a living organism, the church can expect to evolve alongside and within resident culture. The problem, according to lifelong member and author Kisker, is the United Methodist Church seems to have lost its missional foundation as it climbed to mainline American Protestant church status. Trying to be both mainline and Methodist is a deadly combination. In fact, it's a leading cause for the denomination's spiritual and numerical decline. ""Real Methodism declined because we replaced those peculiarities that made us Methodist with a bland, acceptable, almost civil religion, barely distinguishable from other traditions,"" writes Kisker. ""Like the Israelites under the judges, we wanted to be like other nations. We no longer wanted to be an odd, somewhat disreputable people. And we have begun to reap the consequences."" So...where do go from here? In his passionate yet critical review, Kisker says we must reclaim the rich roots of salvation, disciple-making and witness that made the tradition so strong. In Mainline or Methodist? he reveals what's not working and unveils a vision to renewal that embodies the distinctive Wesleyan tradition of the apostolic and universal Christian faith. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

book:Mainline or Methodist
WOW!If you are tired of all the pomp and circumtstance, tradition and empty actions of basic 'religion' then this book is for you.Tracing the history back to the Wesley era of the beginnings of the Methodist church, the author challenges Christians to return to the basics of evangislism that intentionally searches out the seeking soul instead of staying inside our cozy and complacent institutions. (In my own words "Get out there in your world and make a difference for Christ!"Great book.Be prepared to be thrown outside of the "box".

Discover What Your Methodist Church Should Be Doing
I lead a Covenant Group at my Methodist Church.We have studied numerous books on our founder, John Wesley.This title caught our attention and the book led to many animated conversations within the group.This is a very good book which shows us where we are in our churches and where we should be following the beliefs and practicesour denomination was founded on.Great for a discussion group.John Wesley for the 21st Century

A much needed wake-up call
Scott Kisker has given The United Methodist Church a much needed wake-up call. He reminds us in the first couple of pages of his insightful book that the denomination is 40 years old. I have heard it said by some that it seems that the church is going through something of a "mid-life" crisis not unlike those feelings of fear of inevitable death and wondering what life is all about experienced by men and women sometime after they reach that age. Kisker's book comes a just the right time.

Dr. Kisker (Associate Professor of the History of Christianity and former James C. Logan Associate Professor of Evangelism at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC) looks at The United Methodist Church with the eyes of a historian and the heart of an evangelist. He brings his deep knowledge of church history, theology, and the Wesleyan tradition to the task of examining the condition of the church that has shaped his own life. Dr. Kisker makes the case that much of the UMC's current malaise has its roots in its alignment as one of the "Mainline" denominations.

The chief problem with "Mainline" churches is that they "bless the values of the larger society, and see very little difference between cultivating good citizens and cultivating Christians." Their striving to be "respectable" and to play a role in the dominant culture "establishment" has resulted in adjusting the gospel of Jesus Christ to make it fit into cultural norms rather than challenging those norms. Kisker writes, "When we became "mainline," we stopped being Methodist in all but name." Meaning that, in the name of "respectability," we jettisoned the practices, structures, and theology that formed the heart and soul of Wesleyan Methodism.

In a well written 128 pages Dr. Kisker describes what has been lost and gives practical ideas for restoring a United Methodist:
* Vision
o The distinctive goal of Wesleyan Methodism is holiness of heart and life. In mission of early Methodism was "To reform the nation, especially the church; and to spread Scriptural holiness across the land."
* Message
o The historic Methodist message was salvation by grace through faith. We need to take sin, grace, and salvation seriously once again.
* Method
o Proclaim Christ in all his offices: Prophet, Priest, and King
o Open-air preaching for the 21st century
o Small groups for formation and growth in discipleship
o A Rule of Life that leads the people toward holiness of heart and life (The General Rules)
* Conversation
o Practice true "holy conferencing" in the Wesleyan Spirit. Conferencing must be practiced at all levels of the church, beginning in the home.

Mainline or Methodist: Rediscovering Our Evangelistic Missionis a sobering and hope-filled call to action for the people of The United Methodist Church. Scott Kisker gives some helpful and practical recommendations for a way forward. It's clear that he believes that God will keep God's promises. But the church must cooperate and participate with God's mission for the world.

Recovering our Methodist heritage
After taking Dr. Kisker's Evangelism course at Wesley Theological Seminary I can say without a doubt that he wrote this book, which is not a bad thing.I'm almost finished with it and I see where he is coming from.I, too, am one that thinks about how we can recover our Methodist heritage in a positive way so that we, as the church, can reach out to the unchurched and bring them into our church homes so that their spiritual lives may be enriched and so that they can grow in Jesus Christ.

My one huge complaint about this book is the lack of editing.There are way too many editing mistakes and they are quite glaring. ... Read more

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In thirteen previously published essays, especially revised and updated for this volume, United Methodist historian Russell Richey explores various dimensions of the history, theology, and practice of connectionalism in American Methodism. ... Read more

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replacement or additional leader's guide for video kit that contains one copy  ... Read more

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Asserting that the "return to Wesley" that is represented in the Quadrilateral is "intellectually wrongheaded,"William J. Abraham argues that the Quadrilateral is not, and should not be, United Methodist doctrine.Abraham's lively treatise makes a provocative appeal for a reasoned exploration of the significance of the UMC's doctrinal identity.He reveals how churches have faced incompatible doctrinal proposals within their midst and examines the specific issues facing the United Methodist church as a whole. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Doctrine and Practice
Abraham's book has already proven prophetic and continues to point toward future difficulities in UMC polity and practice.What purpose is there for a Book of Discipline, if it can generally be ignored with impunity?The underlying problem may be that very few UMC clergy and laity are familiar with Methodist Discipline.It absolutely contains doctrines and creeds, despite the naysayers.

Abraham calls for a reawakening to the UMC Book of Discipline and the propagation of knowledge about it.Without fundamental Christian doctrine, the UMC begins to look like the Peace Corps or a Masonic Lodge.The UMC is so much more than a proponent of social justice and rituals.We should not lessen the significance of the Incarnation, or Scriptural teachings.

As a result of the factions found in the UMC, we are seen by the public as a congregation of people who can believe anything.Abraham points us back to the Book of Discipline and shows that if we are to remain a connectional church, then we simply must afford more consideration to the rules upon which we have agreed.

I like this book.It is short, easy to read, and hits home in a direct and forceful way. We have had quite enough of the much abused Outlerian quadrilateral.Let's revisit our creeds. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The How and Why of Youth Ministry
This handbook has a wealth of practical information for adults who workwith youth in local churches.It not only includes many ideas on how toorganize and structure your ministry with youth, but reminds us why we takethe time to assist youth in their faith journeys.Chapter Four has anespecially helpful "Web of Discipleship" which guides you inevaluating your youth in relationship to their Christian development.Thenit goes on to describe how to relate to and work with youth in each area ofthe web.Other chapters include leadership issues, check-lists forretreats, having a vision, and many other practical areas.This book isuseful for the beginner, the experienced, and everyone in-between!Ihighly recommend it to you! ... Read more

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Mandated by the general session of the Nigeria Conference, this book was originally written in Hausa, and is now available for the first time in English. ... Read more