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 3:10)– Elements of Churchcraft: commitment, manuals of

instruction, practical experience, tradition

Membership• Becoming a Member, not "Joining"• The Ritual of The United Methodist Church– 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.

– 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

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.

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.

Membership

• The Covenant: Vows of Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness

• Not a program or a person

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

Communication• Types: formal, personal, electronic• Directions for Healthy Communication

1. Learn how to disagree agreeably 2. Speak directly to person or group3. Do not ask someone to deliver your message, and do not agree

to deliver someone else's message4. Do not create or become involved in a triangle of

communication (victim, persecutor, rescuer)5. Do not communicate anonymously, and do not pay attention

to anonymous communications6. As you are able, try to teach others appropriate means of

communication.

Churchcraft in the Church

• Churchcraft Serves the Mission: – Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the

Transformation of the World.