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Does Your Church Have a Prayer, 'Really'?

(NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 14, 2009/GBOD) -- Does Your Church Have a Prayer? is not intended as a comment upon a particular congregation, but it is the title of a new release from Discipleship Resources, a book imprint of the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship (GBOD).

Does Your Church Have a Prayer? In Mission Toward the Promised Land by Marc Brown, Kathy Merry and John Briggs focuses on two passages of Scripture to help churches develop their understandings of mission and ministry.

The book is an innovative, comprehensive and spiritually rich approach to developing a transformational strategic ministry plan for local congregations, written by members of the Virginia Annual Conference.

"I have seen this transformational process produce fruitful disciple-making congregations in the Virginia Conference," says Bishop Charlene P. Kammerer of the Virginia Conference. "We are using these principles to help change the culture of a large conference, and we know that Jesus is praying for us to get to the Promised Land of reaching new generations for Christ who will change the world."

According to Lovett H. Weems of Wesley Theological Seminary, "Does Your Church Have a Prayer? combines Bible study, preaching, prayer, planning and discernment during a six-week experience that helps church leaders live their way into transformation."

The authors focus on Jesus' prayer for the disciples (John 17) and on the vision of the Promised Land as experienced by Joshua and Caleb.

"What makes this book so helpful is the balance it offers of biblical reflection, spiritual sensibility, and practical directions. It succeeds in being a guide for clergy and laity who want to change the direction of the church without forgetting the truths that make the church the community created by the triune God," said the Rev. Timothy W. Whitaker, resident bishop of the Florida Area.

Does Your Church Have a Prayer? includes two separate publications: the Leader's Guide, consisting of 11 chapters, several appendices, references to online templates and plans, and the Participant's Workbook Bible study material, and connections with current reality plus questions for guidance.

Marc Brown is the director of Connectional Ministries for the Virginia (regional) Conference of the United Methodist Church. Kathy Merry, also in Virginia, retired at age 42 from the health insurance world and now applies organizational development skills to the life of the church. John Briggs entered pastoral ministry after retiring from business at age 49. He serves a United Methodist congregation in Virginia.

The General Board of Discipleship’s mission is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, The General Board of Discipleship is located at 1908 Grand Ave. in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, call the Media Relations Office toll free at (877) 899-2780, ext. 7017.

News Media Contact: Jeanette Pinkston, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 340-7017 or jpinkston@gbod.org