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Acknowledgments | |
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Foreword: On Learning the Connection | |
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Introduction: The Rhetoric of Crisis and United Methodist Polity | |
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A Rhetoric of Power | |
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Change as Loss | |
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A Broader View of Denominational Change | |
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Outlines of a New Church | |
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A Connection of Vital Congregations | |
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Conclusion | |
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Polity as Ecclesial Practice and Practical Discipline | |
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Polity as Discipline | |
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Polity as "Connexion" | |
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Lines of Political Development | |
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Pietism and Puritanism | |
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Anglicanism | |
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Catholic Tradition | |
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Reformation | |
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Evangelical Revival | |
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Wesley's Synthesis in America | |
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Denomination and Polity in the U.S.: The Case of United Methodism | |
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Evolving Functions of Denominations | |
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Perspectives on Denominations | |
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Denominations as Local | |
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Denominations as Assembly and Community | |
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Denominational Culture | |
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Denominations as Economic Institutions | |
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Denominations and Social Location | |
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Theology and Practices of Faith | |
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Contemporary Ecclesiological Issues | |
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Polity | |
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The Book of Discipline Today | |
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The Constitution of United Methodism | |
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Two Constitutive Principles | |
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The Principle of Conference | |
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The Principle of Episcopacy | |
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The Meeting of Principles | |
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The Constitutional Place of the Annual Conference | |
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The Constitutional Place of the Local Church | |
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What the Constitution Is and Is Not | |
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History, Theology, and the Discipline | |
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A Narrative Disposition | |
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Pragmatic Authority | |
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Doctrinal Standards | |
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Theological Method | |
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Working Toward Consensus | |
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Scriptural Holiness | |
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Tests of Consensus | |
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Toward Ecumenical Consensus | |
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The Ministry of All Christians | |
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An Emerging Ecumenical Consensus | |
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Lay and Specialized Ministries | |
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The Unity of Ministry | |
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The Local Church in United Methodism | |
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The Emergence of the Local Church | |
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A Connection of Local Churches | |
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Church Membership | |
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The Organization of the Local Church | |
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Balancing Local and Connectional Mission | |
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Called and Set Apart: Ordered Ministry in United Methodism | |
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A Dual Framework of Preaching Ministry | |
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Specialized Ministries | |
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Lay Speakers and Lay Ministers | |
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Diaconal Ministers | |
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Deacons | |
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Local Pastors | |
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Traveling Ministers in Full Connection | |
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Tensions in the Itineracy | |
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Tensions Between Laity and Clergy | |
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Tensions Within the Clergy Covenant | |
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Superintendency in United Methodism | |
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General Superintendency | |
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Travel | |
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Presidency | |
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Issues in the Episcopal Role | |
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Election of Bishops | |
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Episcopal Assignments | |
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District Superintendency | |
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General, Jurisdictional, and Central Conferences and the General Agencies | |
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General Conference | |
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Delegates | |
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Petitions and Procedures | |
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Resolutions | |
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A Diverse Public | |
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Jurisdictional Conferences | |
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Central Conferences | |
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General Agencies | |
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Annual Conference | |
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Annual Conferences and the Connection | |
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Conferenre Structures and Functions | |
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Ministry | |
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Districts | |
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Church Property | |
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Model Deeds | |
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The Trust Clause and the Local Church | |
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Property and Prosperity | |
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Other Church-Owned Property | |
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Legal Issues | |
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Stewardship | |
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Judicial Administration | |
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Judicial Council Decisions | |
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Current Legal Issues | |
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Conclusion: Issues for the Future of United Methodist Polity | |
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Notes | |
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Index | |