Questions for the Twenty-First Century Church

by Campbell, Dennis M.

• ISBN13: 9780687021468
• ISBN10: 0687021464
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-06-01
• Publisher: Abingdon Pr

Summary

It is fitting that on important issues United Methodists hold a variety of opinions. It is also fitting that these opinions are discussed widely and at every level of the church. However, to date, much literature of this nature on The United Methodist Church has been replete with answers and supposedly simple solutions to complex problems. With this volume, the editors and contributors offer to the church badly needed policy-oriented research that identifies the issues but refrains from superficialities and too easy resolutions.
This offering of policy essays hopes to encourage further reflections of the same kind within the church at large.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 1
Where Will United Methodism Find Renewal and Fulfill Its Mission?
Does Methodism Have a Future in American Culture?	p. 9
What Is the Future of Music in United Methodism?	p. 24
Is a Holistic Evangelism Possible?	p. 38
What Is the Character of Methodist Theology?	p. 45
Can United Methodist Theology Be Contextual?	p. 51
Will the City Lose the Church?	p. 62
Does United Methodism Have a Future in an Electronic Culture?	p. 79
Why Can't United Methodists Use Media?	p. 91
Is Division a New Threat to the Denomination?	p. 105
What Will United Methodism Need and Expect from Its Leaders?
Is There a New Role for Lay Leadership?	p. 119
Clergy Leaders: Who Will They Be? How Will They Emerge? To What Will They Lead Us?	p. 132
Leading Small Congregations: Persistence or Change?	p. 140
Has Our Theology of Ordained Ministry Changed?	p. 151
Has United Methodist Preaching Changed?	p. 168
Are Extension Ministries an Opportunity to Reclaim a Wesleyan Understanding of Mission?	p. 175
Is There a Better Way to Elect Bishops?	p. 186
What Style of Leadership Will Our Bishops Embody and Model?	p. 194
How Will United Methodism Express Its Connectional Nature?
What Is the Common Discipline for Local Churches?	p. 219
Are the Local Church and Denominational Bureaucracy "Twins"?	p. 232
How Do Caucuses Contribute to Connection?	p. 242
Is United Methodism a World Church?	p. 258
Will Homosexuality Split the Church?	p. 271
Is There a Crisis in Church Finance?	p. 280
What Defines Clergy Compensation: Mission or Market?	p. 287
What Difference Do the Size, Site, and Style of the Annual Conference Make?	p. 301
Connectionalism: End or New Beginning?	p. 313
Contributors	p. 321
Editors	p. 324
Notes	p. 325
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