Selected Bibliography
Books
 The United Methodist Member's Handbook, Revised & Expanded by George E. Koehler (Discipleship Resources, 2006) [OUT OF PRINT]
Koehler engages and guides inquirers and church members (senior high and up) in a comprehensive orientation to the meaning of faithful membership in The United Methodist Church. In 40 easy-to-use chapters, he addresses topics organized around 3 themes — belonging, remembering, and believing.
 What Every Teacher Needs to Know About Theology (Discipleship Resources, 2002) [OUT OF PRINT]
The way you think about God, how you talk about God, and what you believe about God make up your theology. You have the opportunity to provide settings in which your students can develop knowledge and skills, experience God's presence, learn to listen to God, and discover God's call. How you take advantage of this opportunity is theology in action.
 What Every Teacher Needs to Know About The United Methodist Church (Discipleship Resources, 2002) [OUT OF PRINT]
This small volume addresses the following topics: John Wesley, the father of Methodism; the mission of The United Methodist Church; our theology and statements of belief as found in the Book of Discipline; men and women in history who influenced Methodism (Asbury, John Wesley, Charles Wesley, Susanna Wesley, Coke, Heck, Boehm, Otterbein, Hoosier, and others); how the church is organized; what it means to be a global church; and understanding symbols.
 Living Our United Methodist Beliefs: The United Methodist Way by Kenneth L. Carder (Discipleship Resources, 1996)
Carder addresses United Methodist beliefs, weaving historical background about 18th-century Methodism with the relevance of the denomination to the 21st century. "Plain doctrine and good discipline" can revitalize a struggling world now as they did so successfully in Wesley's day.
 The United Methodist Primer, 2005 Revised Edition by Chester E. Custer (Discipleship Resources, 2005)
An introduction to the journey of faith as traveled by United Methodists — and a survey of their history, beliefs, mission, and church organization. Chester E. Custer interprets the basic theological beliefs and membership vows, with special attention to their implications for an active ministry of the laity in congregations, communities, and the world.
 Meet the Methodists: An Introduction to The United Methodist Church by Charles L. Allen (Abingdon Press, 1998) -- A concise look at United Methodist history and doctrine. Includes study guide.
 Belief Matters: United Methodism's Doctrinal Standards by Charles Yrigoyen, Jr. (Abingdon Press, 2001) -- This book is written for two purposes. The first is to reminds us that what we believe does matter. The second is to explain the doctrinal standards of The United Methodist Church--matters of our belief. Intended for use by both laypersons and clergy, this book describes and exposits the four official Doctrinal Standards of The United Methodist Church.
 Making Disciples: Faith Formation in the Wesleyan Tradition by Sondra Matthaei (Abingdon Press, 2000) -- How is it that we come to know ourselves as Christians? What were the elements of John Wesley’s work that contributed to spiritual formation for a Christian life, and how did these elements interrelate? Focusing on matters of formation and transformation in faith, Sondra Matthaei answers such questions in light of early Methodist practices of formation.
 Yours Are the Hands of Christ: The Practice of Faith by James C. Howell (Upper Room, 1999) -- Christians long to make a difference in the world as a faithful response to discipleship's call. Yet, often our spirituality seems invisible and mute to a hurting world. Through Howell's study, you'll find ways to apply faith to your daily life and find ways to make your commitment to Christ evident in today's world.
 A Way of Life in the World: Spiritual Practices for United Methodists by Kenneth H. Carter, Jr. (Abingdon Press, 2004) -- "What does it mean to be a United Methodist?" The answer to this question, says Kenneth H. Carter, Jr., is to live a particular way of life and follow a particular form of discipleship. The distinctive aspects of that way of discipleship are contained in what has recently come to be known as "the practices." Christian practices are things done together, over time, in response to God's grace.
 Why I Am United Methodist by William H. Willimon (Abingdon Press, 1990) -- In seven chapters, Willimon examines United Methodism and the ways it has made and continues to make a difference in his life. In an inspiring and enlightening way, he writes of his pride in being part of a church that has grown from one man's experience to a worldwide movement covering the globe with its message.
 Living Grace: An Outline of United Methodist Theology by Klaiber & Marquardt (Abingdon Press, 2002) -- Living Grace is the most comprehensive expression of systematic theology for United Methodism to appear in the 1990's. Four emphases of the book are: Responsible Proclamation, Basics of a UMC theology; Universal Salvation; Personal Faith; and, Fullness of Christian Life and the Reality of Love.
 United Methodist Doctrine: The Extreme Center by Scott J. Jones (Abingdon Press, 2002) -- Throughout this book, Scott J. Jones insists that for United Methodists the ultimate goal of doctrine is holiness. Importantly, he clarifies the nature and the specific claims of "official" United Methodist doctrine in a way that moves beyond the current tendency to assume the only alternatives are a rigid dogmatism or an unfettered theological pluralism.
 Methodist Doctrine: The Essentials by Ted A. Campbell (Abingdon Press, 1999) -- In Methodist Doctrine: The Essentials, Ted Campbell outlines historical doctrinal consensus in American Episcopal Methodist Churches in a comparative and ecumenical dialogue with the doctrinal inheritance of other major families of Christian tradition. In this way, the book shows both what Methodist churches historically teach in common with ecumenical Christianity and what is distinctive about the Methodist tradition in its various contemporary forms.
Small Group Studies
Beliefs
 Who Are We? Doctrine, Ministry, and Mission of The United Methodist Church (Student Book and Leader's Guide) by Kenneth L. Carder (Cokesbury, 2001) -- This study is designed to give United Methodists an in-depth understanding of the denomination's theology, along with a broad view of how its ministries are organized and a clear summary of the church's mission.
 Major United Methodist Beliefs, Revised by Mack B. Stokes (Abingdon Press, 1998) -- Expresses in simple language what the people of this denomination believe and how they interpret the ageless affirmation of the Bible. Includes study guide, 8 sessions.
 This We Believe: The Articles of Religion and the Confession of Faith of The United Methodist Church (Student Book and Leader's Guide) by Norman Madsen (Cokesbury, 1987) -- This resource focuses on basic United Methodist doctrines on salvation, sin, sanctification, God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and more. Madsen explores their historical context, scriptural basis, theological implications, and importance.
 CHRISTIAN BELIEVER (Abingdon Press) -- CHRISTIAN BELIEVER assumes that most people – though faithful followers of Jesus they intend to be –know little of the content of the central teachings of the Christian faith and its ties to Scripture. But they want to know. They want to know what is at stake in what the church teaches and how it makes a difference in their own lives, what it means to be Christian, and where we as Christians stand. CHRISTIAN BELIEVER aims at addressing the uncertainty about the substance of the Christian faith and the connection between believing and living.
Social Principles
 Living Faithfully as Friends and Family by Erik Alsgaard (Cokesbury, 2001) -- This study is part of the Becoming the People of God series which examine a section of the "Social Principles" of The Book of Discipline and The Book of Resolutions. This study engages participants in a lively application of United Methodist teaching related to: Changing gender roles in modern society; Sacred worth and human diversity; Death and dying; The meaning of Christian marriage; and Conflicting perspectives on human reproduction.
 Walking Humbly, Doing Justice by J. Richard Peck (Cokesbury, 2002) -- The resource tells how individuals and congregations have answered the call for justice in their communities and the world. More than a study of social justice issues in our society, this resource will enable congregations to learn how to engage in social justice ministries in the name of Christ. Social justice issues related to race, childhood, aging, women, substance abuse, violence in media, and public health policy are discussed in this volume.
 Caring for God's Earth by J. Richard Peck (Cokesbury, 2002) -- This particular study is devoted to Paragraph 160 “The Natural World” in the Social Principles, The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church. Paragraph 160 treats basic environmental concerns, including environmental health. Each chapter examines one of the sections within Paragraph 160 in the light of relevant scripture.
 Opting for Virtue in Public Life by Wayne G. Reece (Cokesbury, 2003) -- This is a study of paragraph 164, in the United Methodist Social Principles entitled "The Political Community." Seven sessions include: How Free is Freedom?; Render to Both Caesar and God; What Do We Need to Know?; School Days, School Days; Obey or Disobey? That Is the Question?; Iron Bars Do Not a Prison Make; Make Peace, Not War.
 Working Together, Sharing the Bounty by Wayne G. Reece (Cokesbury, 2003) -- This is a study of the section The Economic Community (paragraph 163) in the "Social Principles" in the Book of Discipline and relevant material in the Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church. The 9 sessions address: Changing Nature of Communities (Property); Laboring Together (Collective Bargaining); Working at Our Work (Work and Leisure); Vacation and Sabbath: Necessities or Luxuries? (Work and Leisure); Stewardship in a Consumerist Culture (Consumption); Caring about the Poor and the Hungry (Poverty); Sojourners in Our Midst (Migrant Workers); Gambling in America (Gambling); and Corporate Responsibility (Corporate Responsibility).
 Forming a Global Family (Cokesbury, 2003) -- Each chapter will identify existing congregations who have engaged in ministry to their communities around the teachings of the Social Principles and whose actions provide a paradigm for similar engagement by other congregations.
 More Than Words (VHS with Study Guide and Leader's Guide) -- A 20-minute video for adults. Profiles two congregations studying and acting on the Social Principles. Useful for churches wanting to know more about United Methodist positions on social issues and for those seeking to be more active. Comes with leader's guide, study guide (produced by the United Methodist Publishing House), and a copy of the Social Principles booklet.
Discipleship and Spiritual Growth
 Companions in Christ Series (Upper Room) -- The Companions in Christ series offers small groups a powerfully transforming experience in spiritual formation. All resources in the series explore classic spiritual practices, and invite participants to develop daily patterns that open their lives to a deepening relationship with God and one another.
 DISCIPLE Bible Study Series (Abingdon Press) -- The DISCIPLE Bible Study program is designed to develop strong Christian local churches through the in-depth study of Scripture. Through DISCIPLE, persons are strengthened in their faith and guided into service and ministry. Strong, biblically nourished leadership will help your church grow in vitality and Christian discipleship.
 Living the Good Life Together Series (Abingdon Press, 2006) -- "Living the Good Life Together" is a unique series of 12-week video-and-book studies in which groups will explore key features of Christian character and then apply those learnings in daily life.
Books
 The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, 2008 (The United Methodist Publishing House, 2008) -- The Book of Discipline is the instrument for setting forth the laws, plan, polity, and process by which United Methodists govern themselves. The Discipline includes the Constitution of The United Methodist Church, Doctrinal Standards and Our Theological Task, Social Principles, The Mission and Ministry of the Church, and Organization and Administration.
 The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church, 2008 (The United Methodist Publishing House, 2008) -- The Book of Resolutions collects in one volume all current and official social policies and other resolutions adopted by the General Conference of The United Methodist Church.
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