Polity, practice, and the mission of the United Methodist Church / Thomas Edward Frank.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Frank, Thomas Edward.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United Methodist Church (U.S.)--Government.

United Methodist Church (U.S.).

Political science.

Physical Description:

361 pages ; 23 cm

Edition:

2006 edition.

Place of Publication:

Nashville, TN : Abingdon Press, [2006]

Contents:

Foreword: On Learning the Connection 15

Introduction: The Rhetoric of Crisis and United Methodist Polity 21

A Rhetoric of Power 22

Change as Loss 24

A Broader View of Denominational Change 27

Outlines of a New Church 31

A Connection of Vital Congregations 34

Chapter 1 Polity as Ecclesial Practice and Practical Discipline 41

Polity as Discipline 46

Polity as "Connexion" 51

Lines of Political Development 55

Pietism and Puritanism 55

Anglicanism 56

Catholic Tradition 59

Reformation 60

Evangelical Revival 61

Wesley's Synthesis in America 65

Chapter 2 Denomination and Polity in the U.S.: The Case of United Methodism 69

Evolving Functions of Denominations 71

Perspectives on Denominations 74

Denominations as Local 74

Denominations as Assembly and Community 76

Denominational Culture 77

Denominations as Economic Institutions 86

Denominations and Social Location 89

Theology and Practices of Faith 101

Contemporary Ecclesiological Issues 103

Polity 107

The Book of Discipline Today 111

Chapter 3 The Constitution of United Methodism 115

Two Constitutive Principles 118

The Principle of Conference 118

The Principle of Episcopacy 124

The Meeting of Principles 128

The Constitutional Place of the Annual Conference 130

The Constitutional Place of the Local Church 135

What the Constitution Is and Is Not 138

Chapter 4 History, Theology, and the Discipline 141

A Narrative Disposition 141

Pragmatic Authority 143

Doctrinal Standards 144

Theological Method 148

Working Toward Consensus 150

Scriptural Holiness 152

Tests of Consensus 155

Toward Ecumenical Consensus 156

Chapter 5 The Ministry of All Christians 159

An Emerging Ecumenical Consensus 160

Lay and Specialized Ministries 162

The Unity of Ministry 169

Chapter 6 The Local Church in United Methodism 173

The Emergence of the Local Church 174

A Connection of Local Churches 178

Church Membership 180

The Organization of the Local Church 185

Balancing Local and Connectional Mission 191

Chapter 7 Called and Set Apart: Ordered Ministry in United Methodism 195

A Dual Framework of Preaching Ministry 195

Specialized Ministries 199

Lay Speakers and Lay Ministers 200

Diaconal Ministers 201

Deacons 204

Local Pastors 206

Traveling Ministers in Full Connection 210

Tensions in the Itineracy 218

Tensions Between Laity and Clergy 218

Tensions Within the Clergy Covenant 220

Chapter 8 Superintendency in United Methodism 229

General Superintendency 231

Travel 237

Presidency 237

Issues in the Episcopal Role 240

Election of Bishops 243

Episcopal Assignments 244

District Superintendency 248

Chapter 9 General, Jurisdictional, and Central Conferences and the General Agencies 255

General Conference 255

Delegates 258

Petitions and Procedures 261

Resolutions 264

A Diverse Public 264

Jurisdictional Conferences 268

Central Conferences 272

General Agencies 275

Chapter 10 Annual Conference 285

Annual Conferences and the Connection 288

Conferenre Structures and Functions 290

Ministry 295

Districts 296

Chapter 11 Church Property 299

Model Deeds 300

The Trust Clause and the Local Church 302

Property and Prosperity 304

Other Church-Owned Property 306

Legal Issues 307

Stewardship 308

Chapter 12 Judicial Administration 311

Judicial Council Decisions 312

Current Legal Issues 315

Conclusion: Issues for the Future of United Methodist Polity 321.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 329-355) and index.

ISBN:

0687335310

OCLC:

62525237