Christian Education Resources -- General

A Comprehensive Plan for Teacher Development for United Methodist Congregations. by the Christian Education Staff of the General Board of Discipleship. This 8-page leaflet is available for free download at www.gbod.org/education.

A Faithful Future: Teaching and Learning for Discipleship by Carol F. Krau and others (Nashville: Discipleship Resources 2003. ISBN 978-088177-396-5). This book contains 5 teacher training designs. Teachers would gain from reading the material and working through the exercises either by themselves or as part of a group.

The Bible. The heart of ministry resources is the Bible, which is an essential resource for whatever we do through the church.

Connecting to God: Nurturing Spirituality through Small Groups by Corinne Ware. (Bethesda: The Alban Institute, Inc. 1997. ISBN 1-56699-183-8). Looks at the role of small groups in developing Christian spirituality.

Deepening Your Effectiveness: Restructuring the Local Church for Life Transformation by Dan Glover and Claudia Lavy (Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2006. ISBN 978-0-88177-475-7). Using the metaphor of the ocean, the authors describe six stages of faith, including the primary person, question, relationship, barrier, and ministry for that stage. The description is followed by biblically based suggestions for aligning the ministry of the congregation to help persons move from one stage to the next.

Devotional Life in the Wesleyan Tradition by Steve Harper (Nashville: The Upper Room, 1995. ISBN 978-0-83580-740-1). Describes John Wesley's understanding of the means by which Christians experience God's grace.

Educating Congregations by Charles R. Foster (Nashville: Abindgon Press 1994. ISBN 978-0-687-00245-0. A look at an alternate vision of Christian education to the schooling model prevalent in many churches.

Faithful Guides: Coaching Strategies for Church Leaders by Thomas R. Hawkins (Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2006. ISBN 978-0-88177-465-8). Coaching guidance for education leaders.

Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations by Robert Schnase (Nashville, Abingdon Press, 2007. ISBN 978-0-687-64540-4). A deeper look at the interwoven faith-forming practices of radical hospitality, passionate worship, intentional faith development, risk-taking mission and service, and extravagant hospitality.

Forecast (free catalog mailed annually to each local church; additional free copies may be ordered from Cokesbury). An annual catalog of United Methodist curriculum resources and other helpful Christian education materials. Also available in quarterly supplements.

Foundations: Shaping the Ministry of Christian Education in Your Congregation (Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 1993. ISBN 978-0-88177-123-7). Provides a foundation for building a solid Christian education ministry in your congregation.

Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation: 2009–2012 (Nashville: Abingdon Press; available from Cokesbury). In particular, Adult Ministries, Christian Education, Children's Ministries, Family Ministries, Small Group Ministries, Scouting and Civic Youth Serving Ministry, and Youth Ministries.

I Knew Them All by Heart: The Legacy of a Sunday School Teacher by Myrtle Felkner (Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2006. ISBN 0-88177-477-4). Inspirational and invigorating stories to refresh teachers and leaders.

iTeach. Monthly free e-letter for teachers and other education leaders from the General Board of Discipleship. Subscribe at www.gbod.org/education.

Job Descriptions and Leadership Training in The United Methodist Church, 2009-2012 by Betsey Heavner (Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2008. ISBN 978-0-88177-548-8). Includes a training manual for leadership development.

Keeping in Touch: Christian Formation and Teaching by Carol F. Krau (Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 1999. ISBN 978-0-88177-248-7). Suggests five critical processes for teachers and small group leaders: keeping in touch with God, with God's people, with their own experience, with the world and with teaching.

Live. Learn, Pass It On! The Practical Benefits of Generations Growing Together in Faith by Patty Meyers (Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2006. ISBN 978-0-88177-469-6). An overview of intergenerational learning with models, practical helps, and biblical-theological foundations.

Loving God With All Your Mind: Equipping the Community of Faith for Theological Thinking by Thomas R. Hawkins (Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2004. ISBN 978-0-88177-398-9). Accessible resource on brain research, learning, and thinking.

Making Disciples: Faith Formation in the Wesleyan Tradition by Sondra Higgins Matthaei (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2000. ISBN 978-0-687-02475-9). Examines an ecology for making disciples by drawing extensively from John and Charles Wesley. Includes the relationships between content, process, and structure.

The Ministry of Christian Education and Formation: A Practical Guide for Your Congregation by the Christian education staff of the General Board of Discipleship (Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2003. ISBN 978-0-88177-395-8). A helpful and practical “must have” book for planning Christian education ministries for your congregation.

Our Spiritual Brain: Integrating Brain Research and Faith Development by Barbara Bruce (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2002. ISBN 978-0-68709-266-6). How brain function affects teaching and learning.

Remembering Your Story: Creating Your Own Spiritual Autobiography by Richard L. Morgan (Nashville: Upper Room Books, 2002. ISBN 978-0-8358-0963-4). With both a Leader's Guide and a Participant's Workbook, this resource for individuals and small groups is a valuable tool for helping people create their own spiritual autobiography.

Sacred Challenge: Blazing a New Path for the Sunday School of the Future by Mike Ratliff (Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2006. ISBN 978-0-88177-479-5). Uses Appreciative Inquiry to identify and implement the core ministry of Christian education, especially through the church school.

The Secret Life of the Brain by Richard Restak, A Co-publication of The Dana Press and Joseph Henry Press: 2002 . This is also a video/DVD series that covers in separate tapes infants, children, teens, adults, and aging. Great for use with teen/adult Sunday school classes as well as for home use. The book is somewhat difficult but enjoyable for those who enjoy medicine/science/research. http://www.pbs.org/

Sharing God's Gifts (United Methodist Communications, Free, Call 1-888-862-3242). About the structure and organization of The United Methodist Church.

The Teaching Church: Moving Christian Education to Center Stage by Eugene C. Roehlkepartain (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1993. ISBN 978-0-687-41083-5). A strong assessment of what contributes to a strong, holistic educational ministry in the local church.

Teaching from the Heart: Theology and Educational Method by Mary Elizabeth Mullino Moore (Harrisburg: Trinity Press International, 1991, 1998. ISBN 1-56338-253-9). An academic look at five main educational methods that gauges their strengths, weaknesses, and theological promise.

The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, 2008 (Nashville: The United Methodist Publishing House; available from Cokesbury).

The Official United Methodist Program Calendar shows special United Methodist dates, the Sunday lectionary passages, and more. Available from United Methodist Communications.

United Methodist curriculum resources: The United Methodist Publishing House (Forecast, Curric-U-Phone, www.ileadyouth.com).

What Every Leader Needs to Know Series

Why Gender Matters: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know about the Emerging Science of Sex Difference by Leonard Sax (New York: Doubleday, 2005. ISBN 0-7679-1625-5). Explains the physiological differences of boys and girls based on brain research.

Your Calling as a Teacher by Karen B. Tye (St. LouisL Chalice Press, 2008. ISBN 978-0-8272-4414-6). A reflection on what it means to be a teacher by call rather than by task that also dispels some myths about teaching and offers practical tools and skills.

Organizations and Websites

Age-level e-letters from Cokesbury, free..

Children's Defense Fund. Advocacy for children. Sponsors Children's Sabbath. Newsletter and other helpful information available about today's children. 25 E Street, NW. Washington, DC 20001. 202-628-8787 or www.childrensdefense.org.

Christian Educators Fellowship. Professional group for persons, both volunteer and employed, who are leading Christian educational ministries in congregations. CEF is a national organization that also has annual conference chapters. Contact Ellen Thompson, Christian Educators Fellowship Office, P.O. Box 24930, Nashville, TN 37202, 615-749-6870 or www.cefumc.org.

Cokesbury Specialty Imprinting Service offers a large selection of high quality products that can be imprinted with your church's name, logo, or other custom copy. Specialty Imprinting is a creative, affordable way for you to promote your church's identity, programs, and activities. Available at your nearest Cokesbury store or call 1-800-237-7511.

Department of Human Services. Each state sets standards for preschool and school-aged programs. Contact your state office for the licensing standards. Additionally, school principals and counselors, community health personnel, scout leaders, and others are helpful connections in meeting the needs of all children in your community.

The Division on Ministries With Young People, GBOD, Telephone: 877-899-2780, ext. 7058. E-mail: youngpeople@gbod.org. Sign up for the DMYP networks at www.gbod.org//youngpeople/email.htm.

Heifer Project International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202. Phone 800-422-0474 or www.heifer.org.

Mission Projects for Children, The United Methodist Children's Fund for Christian Mission, P.O. Box 340003, Nashville, TN 37203-0003. Phone 1-877-899-2780 Ext. 1761.

National AfterSchool Association. Professional association for those in after school and summer care of school age children. 529 Main Street, Suite 214, Charlestown, MA 02129. 800-617-8242 or www.naaweb.org.

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Accredits high quality early childhood programs. Its membership organization publishes the magazine Young Children, as well as books, pamphlets, videos, and posters. Write to NAEYC, 1313 "L" Street NW, Suite 500, Washington DC, 20005. Telephone 1-800-424-2460 or www.naeyc.org for membership information and resource list.

Office of Youth Ministry, GBOD. Telephone: 877 899-2780, ext. 7069. E-mail: shay@gbod.org. Connects with conferences and local churches through training of adult workers, research, and resources. Information: Youth Ministry e-letter: www.gbod.org/ministries/youth/mailing.asp.

School Age Notes: Resources for After School Professionals. Excellent newsletter resource for after-school and summertime weekday ministry for school-aged children.

School or Health Kits, United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), UMCOR Depot, 101 Sager Brown Road, P.O. Box 850, Baldwin. LA 70514-0850. Phone 800-814-8765. http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/work/sagerbrown/.

UNICEF, 3 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017. Phone 212-326-7000 or www.unicef.org.

The YouthWorker Movement connects U.S. United Methodist youth workers.

Zero to Three -- National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families

Family Ministries, GBOD -- Suggestions for family ministries along with bibliographies of resources.

National Council of Churches, USA

List updated 2-27-09

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