Churchcraft in the Church

1
Churchcraft in the Church

• The Church as God's creation, the visible Body of
  Christ, a covenantal community
• The Craft of Building up the Church
• A Skilled Master Builder (I Corinthians 310)
• Elements of Churchcraft commitment, manuals of
  instruction, practical experience, tradition

2
Membership

• Becoming a Member, not "Joining"
• The Ritual of The United Methodist Church
• As members of Christs universal church, will you
  be loyal to The United Methodist Church, and do
  all in your power to strengthen its ministries?
  I will.
• As members of Christ's universal church, will you
  be loyal to The United Methodist Church, and do
  all in your power to strengthen its ministries?
  I will.
• Vows to triune God, universal church, UMC,
  congregation

3
Membership

• The Ritual of the African Methodist Episcopal
  Church
• Do you here in the presence of God and of this
  congregation renew the solemn promise contained
  in the Baptismal Covenant, ratifying and
  confirming the same and acknowledging yourselves
  bound faithfully to discover and keep that
  covenant and all things contained therein? I
  do.
• Have you saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?
  I have.
• Do you possess friendly feelings toward all
  members of this church? I do.

4
Membership

• Do you believe in the Doctrine of Holy Scriptures
  as set forth in the articles of religion of the
  African Methodist Episcopal Church? I do.
• Will you be governed by the Discipline of the
  African Methodist Episcopal Church, hold sacred
  the ordinances of God and try to as much as
  possible to promote the welfare of fellow members
  and the advancement of the Kingdom of God? I
  will.
• Will you give of your time, talents, and money
  for the support of the Gospel, Church, poor, and
  various ministries of the Church? I will.

5
Membership

• The Covenant Vows of Prayers, Presence, Gifts,
  Service, and Witness
• Not a program or a person

6
Polity

• New Testament apostles, elders, deacons,
  officers, Council
• Book of Discipline a Covenant, not just rules
• Distribution of Authority by Election Bishops,
  Judicial Council, General Conference, Annual
  Conference, Charge Conference
• Instruction on Polity
• Example Staff Parish Relations Committee

7
Communication

• Types formal, personal, electronic
• Directions for Healthy Communication
• Learn how to disagree agreeably
• Speak directly to person or group
• Do not ask someone to deliver your message, and
  do not agree to deliver someone else's message
• Do not create or become involved in a triangle of
  communication (victim, persecutor, rescuer)
• Do not communicate anonymously, and do not pay
  attention to anonymous communications
• As you are able, try to teach others appropriate
  means of communication.

8
Churchcraft in the Church

• Churchcraft Serves the Mission
• Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the
  Transformation of the World.