Kenneth H. Carter Jr. – författare

Carter writes a piece which will stir the sympathies of pastors thwarted by their own efforts to emulate a congregation''s successful predecessor. Within months, these pastors see little success as fatigue and burn-out set in. All Christians are graced with specific and distinctive spiritual gifts. Too often pastors forget that God has given them particular gifts for ministry. While all pastors must attend to the different tasks of congregational ministry, they need to discover those functions for which they have been particularly gifted. When they begin to make these gifts the focus of their ministry, then deep personal satisfaction and connection with others results. This book is written to help pastors overcome the false belief that if their ministry is to succeed, it must emulate that of a high-profile orator. Carter explains that when we make our distinctive gifts the center of our ministry, we lose the illusion that we are in control, and instead trust that God will complement us with others'' gifts to meet the needs of God''s people. Key Features: includes a "consumer guide" to spiritual gift inventories; resource lists including retreat centers, congregations, and publications. Key Benefits: Provides pastors a biblical/theological framework for understanding ministerial gifts.

A wave of new Christian churches are emerging to reach unchurched and dechurched people who live in a culture that is increasingly non-religious and multi-religious. These new forms of church gather and network with people who typically have never been to church. The new faith communities listen to people and go where they are on the journey toward Jesus. They are deeply ecumenical but do not lose their distinctiveness because they learn fresh ways to communicate their identity through discipleship.Fresh Expressions began in the United Kingdom where it ignited over 3000 new faith communities. In the United States the movement is putting down roots in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Ken Carter and Audrey Warren offer this book as a group study for church leaders and congregations who are in the grip of Holy Spirit motivation to renew their tradition by reaching people who are dechurched or not yet in a discipleship relationship with Jesus. Each chapter includes two Bible study experiences for group conversation.

Questions and conflict about homosexual practice and the church abound. We encounter media reports ofsame-gender unions and clergy trials. This leads to talk in congregations and district preacher''s meetings, in the hallways atdistrict, conference and general church gatherings, and in the deliberations of the Council of Bishops where we hear prayers,questions, and an outpouring of conviction or anguish.We observe The United Methodist Church grappling with issues of importance that divide and confound us. We hunger for our church to engage hard questions and decisions in a spirit of generosity, gracefulness, and mutual respect.This book could change the nature of the conversation. It encourages frank and constructive dialogue that will help us conference together and open ourselves to God''s guidance. We seek faithful, fair, just, and loving resolution to issues that challenge our faith community.Finding Our Way: Love and Law in The United Methodist Church is authored by several United Methodist bishops. These writers enunciate and clarify pathways that represent faithful, responsible, and constructive ways forward through the current controversies. Each bishop articulates a prescription for moving through current conflict about homosexual practice, same-gender unions, qualifications for ordination, and maintaining the "good standing" of elders. Go to www.ministrymatters.com/FindingOurWay to read the introduction and to comment. Contents:Frame: An introduction about the guiding vision and theological framework as we seek together to be faithful to God and to our covenants. By Rueben P. Job, retired, from the Iowa Area, and by Neil M. Alexander, who is publisher for The United Methodist Church.Part One: OptionsEnforce (follow the Book of Discipline): The Discipline interprets scripture and contains the rule of law for UM congregations and elders. When sacred promises are violated, leaders must uphold the spirit and letter of the law and follow the process defined by the Discipline. By Gregory V. Palmer, who serves the Ohio West Area.Emend (work to change the Book of Discipline): The General Conference legislative process must be engaged to emend the Book of Discipline -- or not. This is the responsible and thoroughly United Methodist way ofmoving through disputes and reaching consensus. By Hope Morgan Ward, who serves the Raleigh Area.Disobey (biblical obedience): Scripture and the sanctity of love are a higher authority than the Book of Discipline.Therefore, the current impasse must be broken by loving acts of conscientious fidelity to higher principles. By Melvin G. Talbert,retired, from the San Francisco Area.Disarm (suspending conflict between personal and social holiness): In many kinds of conflicts, in marriage and in war, the conflicted parties drop their weapons or grievances, agree to a cease fire, and search for a peaceful way to resolve their disagreement. By Kenneth H. Carter Jr., who serves the Florida Area.Part Two: ResponsesOrder (supporting our covenant): Our sacred trust depends on keeping our promises. By J. Michael Lowry,who serves the Forth Worth AreaUnity (dwelling in God''s church as a family of Christ followers): When two elephants fight, the grass suffers. By John K. Yambasu, who serves the Sierra Leone Area.Diversity (coexisting with differences). By Rosemarie Wenner, who serves the Germany Area and is current president of the Council of Bishops.Part Three: StepsTrust God (discernment): Immerse ourselves in an intense process of prayerful discernment. This approach pleads for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and asks all to open themselves without condition or pre-judgment to the insight and inspiration that comes through deep prayer and listening. By Rueben P. Job, retired, from the Iowa Area.

In God Will Make a Way, Bishop Ken Carter shares reflections from his journey from the 2016 General Conference, through his leadership in The Way Forward, his role as Presiding Bishop, into the special 2019 Conference, and the postponed 2020 General Conference in the midst of a pandemic. The book is both a spiritual journey and an inside view of one of the most tumultuous periods of national and denominational history.Carter casts his personal spiritual reflections against a backdrop of life-shaping events: the first Way Forward meetings, the tragedy at Mother Emmanuel, interactions with Kenneth Feinberg, Jurgen Moltmann, and others, the Pulse and Parkland shootings, and more. Throughout, the high points are experiences and conversations between people, often from dramatically different stances, who find common ground, new understanding, and hope while the dark times are from conflict-inspired anger, national violence, and shaken hope.

A way of life: embracing grace, seeking holiness, building connections.United Methodist people long to love God and serve their neighbors. Unrelenting Grace by Bishop Ken Carter shows us how to come together and embrace grace, seek holiness, and build meaningful connections promoting strength and healing. Unrelenting Grace evokes insights and courage to overcome feelings of isolation, loneliness, and alienation.The book is an inspiring and practical resource for United Methodists who want to move forward with confidence and hope. As we wrestle with the effects of the pandemic, social disruption, and conflicts, Unrelenting Grace offers guidance for stepping into the future as individuals and as communities of faith. Ken Carter reminds us of our core values as United Methodists, prompting readers to rediscover, redefine, and reclaim the power of grace, holiness, and connection. We see afresh ways to bridge the gap between faith and life, and rediscover deep connections of unity and love.