Building on the congregational strategic planning resource, “Does Your Church Have a Prayer?” this Participant’s Book will guide Lay Servants seeking to be more empowered to lead their congregations toward vitality. Written with two distinct purposes, Lay Servants as Christian Transformational Leaders will first define the three disciplines of Christian transformational leadership and the four qualities of Christian transformational leaders. The accompanying Leader's Guide is in PDF form and is also available for downloading here.

The church likely rises and falls with the missional investment of the laity. So, of course, this book is for the laity. But, this book, but it is also for pastors and judicatory leaders. Our hope for this resource is to rekindle the spark and set the laity on fire - ¿on fire for Christ. Our tribe, the United Methodist Church, was founded as a movement of laity and reached millions of people. Our hope and prayer is that this resource will help re-engage and empower the laity.

You can believe anything and be a Methodist, just so long as you're sincere. Such a misperception has deep historical and cultural roots. Explore a basic explanation of the beliefs and practices of the United Methodist Church as defined in Part II of The Book of Discipline. Uncover a deeper understanding and experience of Christian faith as you embrace the United Methodist way. "Beliefs are to be lived; doctrine is to be practiced," writes Carder in this updated edition of his 1996 bestseller. "The authenticity of beliefs lie in their ability to shape people and communities into the image of Christ and to promote holiness and happiness. …The important test of the validity of doctrines and beliefs for United Methodists is the kind of character they produce in individuals and communities and the actions they inspire in the world." Living Our Beliefs is essential reading for new members, confirmation classes and small group studies. As one reviewer says, "Bishop Carder invites us to both understand and live our beliefs. With deep understanding of Wesley's teaching, he inspires us to practice what we preach. That is the United Methodist way." The Leader's Guide for this course, Living Our United Methodist Beliefs, by George Hovaness Donigan may be purchased here.

It is time to take heart and rework the scorecard. --

Accountable Discipleship: Living in God's Household is a book about pastoral leadership in the Wesleyan tradition. Pastoral leadership is the ministry of caring for the household of God. Both laity and clergy are called to this ministry. Those who read and study this book will be invited to discover their own ministry as pastoral leaders. All who follow Jesus Christ and seek to obey his teachings to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind," and "love your neighbor as yourself"* have the potential to be pastoral leaders for their congregation. They are pastoral leaders because others see and experience the grace of Jesus Christ through their lives. They are spiritual, servant leaders who follow the example of Jesus. These are ordinary people. They are laity and clergy. They are people like you. A foundational piece for anyone involved in Accountable Discipleship ministries, this resource explores a systematic approach for undertaking and accepting the challenge of personal discipleship for life. It is designed for leaders of Accountable Discipleship ministries, members of Covenant Discipleship groups, class leaders, and clergy. *Matthew 22:37, 39 (NLT) Click here for the Leader's Guide.

Combining a fresh examination of Jesus' ministry with the insights of the best recent discussions of leadership, Leighton Ford challenges readers to become transformational leaders on the job, in the church and in the public arena. Includes a study guide.

An inclusive and collaborative paradigm of ministry affirming the work of both lay and clergy servants.