Resources for All Areas of Christian Ministry
Camping & Retreat
Christian Education
Conference Leaders
Congregational Development
Congregational Leaders
Evangelism
Family & Age-Group Leaders
Hispanic Ministries
Laity & Lay Speaking Ministry
Native American
New Church Starts (Path1)
Small Church
Small Group Ministry
Spiritual Formation (Upper Room)
Stewardship
Worship
Young People's Ministries
I need help with:

How to use GBOD.org

Receive discounts from
the Upper Room Bookstore:

For more information:
gbod@gbod.org
877-899-2780 : toll free
General Board of Discipleship
The United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 340003
Nashville, TN 37203-0003

Our services are funded by your generous support of the World Service Fund, through the sale of products & services, and through individual gifts. Learn more about our stewardship.

Content reproducible for church use with our permission. Learn How

Quick Start Guide
Not sure where to begin? We've organized our resources into these easy-to-use categories.

Ministry Planning
Research, background information, reviews, and the latest ideas for designing your programs.

Ready Resources
Material that's ready for you to take into the classroom, group setting, or worship.

Strengthening Your Church
Programs that help you evaluate and empower your entire ministry.

Primary Resources
A series of handbooks of ideas for leaders in every area of ministry.

Church Vitality Indicator
Understanding and building on your church's strengths.

The Upper Room daily devotional guide
The daily devotional can be the centerpiece of small-group practice.

Know These First
Everyone should have an understanding of these basics that form us as United Methodists

Practices of Wesleyan Discipleship
Explore how to live as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. We learn about God's grace, which is the character of the divine-human relationship, and we learn the basic practices God has given us to draw us to Christ.

What We BelieveQué Creemos
Excerpts from The United Methodist Book of Discipline (courtesy United Methodist Communications)

Baptism
By Water & The Spirit
A United Methodist understanding of baptism.

Communion
This Holy MysteryEste misterio santo (pdf)
An invitation for study, conversation, and sharing around this sacrament.

Teaching the Basics of Christian Discipleship

Online resources, books
and more


 
Advent Wreath Meditations 2009

GBOD Resources for Advent and Christmas



Upcoming Events

Celebrating a Call to Lay Ministry
February 4-6, 2010
St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Houston, TX
(Vance P. Ross, featured speaker)


Children's Ministry Forum:
Fill My Cup, Lord

February 23-25, 2010
Edenton Street UMC, Raleigh NC


The Large Church Initiative National Training Event
April 12-15, 2010
San Antonio , TX


See all events


Planning Calendar

Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 20, 2009

Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas Day
Friday, December 25, 2009

Kwanzaa Begins
Saturday, December 26, 2009

First Sunday After Christmas
Sunday, December 27

New Year's Day
Friday, January 1, 2010

SEE ALL PLANNING RESOURCES


By Derek Maul

In My Heart I Carry a Star is a devotional-story almanac to understand and appreciate the possibilities Christmas offers. No matter where you are spiritually, Christ desires to bless you with an Advent journey overflowing with expectation and peace and life and hope and love.