Quick and Easy Guide to United Methodist Polity - Softcover

Burkholder, Anne L; Elliott Jr, Thomas W

Softcover

ISBN 10: 194593512X ISBN 13: 9781945935121

Publisher: United Methodist General Board of Higher Education, 2018

Synopsis

With more than 250 entries, this book is a comprehensive, annotated guide to the United Methodist Discipline for pastors and church leaders, district superintendents, bishops, agency staff, and others beyond the local church who need a quick reference guide to issues that arise in ministry. Polity is about ordering the life of the church for the mission of God in the world and how we anchor our understanding of how God is calling us to covenant with each other.

Each entry includes:

a quote from John Wesley or another notable Methodist;

related Discipline paragraph numbers;

definition and how each entry relates to pastors and leaders;

notes on historical and theological roots.

Entries include:

Apportionments (what they do, the "formula")

Baptism

Confirmation

Connectional Table

Constitution of The United Methodist Church

Cross and Flame - UM Insignia, Use and Limits

Designated Giving and Funds

Equitable Compensation

Evangelism

Fellowship of Associate Members and Local Pastors

General Council on Finance and Administration

Historic Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's)

Housing Allowance (For Pastors)

Lay Delegate to General Conference, Jurisdiction, and Central Conferences

Liturgical Seasons See Christian Year

Membership Records and Removal

Merger with Another Church

Offering

Orders

Ordination

Pan-Methodist Commission

Pastor's Compensation and Benefits

Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee

Property Taxes

Quorum for Meetings

Restrictive Rules

Safe Sanctuaries

Special Sundays and Offerings

Tax Exempt Status

Tithe/Tithing

Trust Clause

United Methodist Women

Ushers

Vacation Bible School

About this title

About the Author:

Anne L. Burkholder is Associate Dean of Methodist Studies and Professor in the Practice of Ecclesiology at Candler School of Theology, Emory University.

Thomas W. Elliott Jr. is Assistant Professor in the Practice of Practical Theology, Director of Contextual Education II, Teaching Parish, and Ministry Internships at Candler School of Theology, Emory University.

Review:

"Burkholder and Elliott set a tone that should give any leader confidence. They demonstrate how the Book of Discipline provides a basic framework for powers, duties, and decisions. They show how essential ministries of the church such as missions or stewardship build on the Discipline by continuing its spirit beyond the words on the page. They draw on the Wesleyan wisdom accumulated across generations for understanding how a leader can best approach a problem...Polity means little, after all, except as it is practiced. In Wesleyan tradition polity is more like a rule of life than a rule book. That is, it's a pattern for how to work together as a community called to witness and service - but that pattern must be lived out in experience." from the Foreword by Thomas Edward Frank

About this edition

• Publisher: United Methodist General Board of Higher Education
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 194593512X
• ISBN 13: 9781945935121
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 254