This reference tool includes over 90 indexes to The United Methodist Hymnal and The Faith We Sing. The indexes range from non-English hymns, to women composers, to contemporary songs, to hymns from classical compositions.

Includes for each hymn in the Hymnal historical background of text and tune; suggested uses for today;name origin;text/tune changes over the years; commentary on Hymnal treatment; and theological base of texts.

The worship ministry of the local church is often the first, if not only, entry point for people seeking to establish a relationship with God in a Christian community. The ways in which we worship and honor God set a tone for the overall ministry of the church. This Guideline is designed to help implement and guide the work of the ministry area. 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.

The Guidelines’ booklets, one for each ministry area, are tools that enable you to help get new lay leaders off to a good start. Each booklet includes the basic "job description" for the leader as well as practical "how-to" information important to implementing ministry effectively. Brief and to the point for the busy, but spirit-led leader, these Guidelines take some of the unknown out of leading these ministry areas. One booklet for each title makes up this set of 26 Guidelines, perfect for making them available to all church members. The twenty-six Guidelines, one for each ministry area, 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, and Christian Education, age-level ministries, Communications, and more. The download file of a product is copyrighted just as a print resource is copyrighted. In the case of the Guidelines Set of 26, the purchaser can extract one copy of each booklet for an individual to use. (For example, one copy can be extracted for the chair of the stewardship committee; one for the person responsible for adult ministries; one for the lay leader). Additional copies are purchased separately as needed. Download files for each individual booklet are sold separately, just as print copies of the booklets are sold separately.

Still a bestseller after more than 70 years!

Revised and updated, this popular book shows pastors and worship leaders the basics of United Methodist worship. In this straightforward and updated commentary, Hoyt Hickman explains the basic pattern of United Methodist worship within the broader context of Christian worship. Drawing upon five basic principles, the author explains the formative nature of worship and how it can revitalize persons' lives. These principles are: God's Word is primary; active congregational participation is crucial; spontaneity and order are both important; worship should be relevant and inclusive; and worship is communion. This revision will highlight the African-American contribution to UM worship, discuss at greater length what the various worship styles mean for us today, say more about the formative nature of worship, and include updated resources including the Abingdon Worship Annual, the Abingdon Preaching Annual, and WorshipConnection. Explains basic resources for planning and leading worship. Gives the basic pattern of UM worship and its origins. Gives practical suggestions how to renew and revitalize worship. Helps pastors be effective leaders in planning and revitalizing worship. Helps pastors understand and communicate the uniqueness of UM worship. Helps pastors lead their congregation into a deeper and richer experience of God through worship.