In Churches of Minnesota, Alan Lathrop profiles more than one hundred religious buildings in a valuable compendium made even richer by the photography of Bob Firth. More than 140 black-and-white and full-color images present a comprehensive view of the architectural styles that make up Minnesota's religious and cultural heritage. Lathrop embarked on a journey to explore the architectural histories of churches in every corner of Minnesota, and what he found was a panorama of designs steeped in the traditions of their communities. From the board and batten siding on the tiny St. Mark's Episcopal Chapel in Annandale to the grand elegance of St. Paul's cathedral, Lathrop discusses a variety of architectural styles in both urban and rural settings across the state. He reveals the intrinsic character of these buildings and uncovers the enchanting stories behind the lives of those connected to each church - the architects, the leaders, the parishioners - and the history that brought them to where they are today.

This book introduces United Methodist leaders in Annual Conferences and local congregations to what it means to be a United Methodist in connection with other Methodists and Christians across the world. In recent years the denomination has moved gradually to create a church structure that is more attentive to the increasing number of United Methodists living outside the United States. Two recent General Conferences have taken only minor steps to respond to calls to be more "global." Yet, even those changes have profound effects not yet visible across the denomination. This book will present the challenge of living the global nature of The United Methodist Church and will question the capability of the present church structure to respond to the demands placed upon it to be more global. The author, drawing on his extensive experience with the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, recommends a world association of Methodist, "self-headed" churches and with a conference of bishops and presidents to give unity to the family. Such a structure needs connection with other Methodists across the world, with the Body of Christ composed of other Christian families across the world, and with ample opportunity and evidence of the unity locally as well as globally.