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 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
