Wesley’s Foundery Books Releases a Convenient, Reliable Guide for Polity Questions

The Publishing Office of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), the leadership development agency of The United Methodist Church, announced the release of a new book, “Quick and Easy Guide to United Methodist Polity” by Anne L. Burkholder and Thomas W. Elliott Jr. with foreword by Thomas Edward Frank.  

In the foreword, Frank acknowledged, “Burkholder and Elliott set a tone that should give any leader confidence … Polity means little, after all, except as it is practiced. In Wesleyan tradition polity is more like a rule of life than a rule book. That is, it’s a pattern for how to work together as a community called to witness and service – but that pattern must be lived out in experience.” 

This book anchors our understanding of how God is calling us to be in covenant with each other and provides a comprehensive, annotated guide to the Book of Discipline for pastors and church leaders. District superintendents, bishops, agency staff and others beyond the local church will also find the quick reference guide useful to issues that arise in ministry settings.  

Burkholder is associate dean of Methodist Studies and professor in the Practice of Ecclesiology at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. Elliott is assistant professor in the Practice of Practical Theology, director of the Teaching Parish Program and Ministry Internships, and director of Contextual Education II at Candler School of Theology. 

“Quick and Easy Guide to United Methodist Polity” is available at Cokesbury.com and Amazon.com. For more information about GBHEM’s Publishing Office, visit Publications or follow @GBHEMPublishing on Facebook.  

Wesley’s Foundery Books is an imprint of GBHEM. Foundery books are clearly and accessibly written by Methodist/Wesleyan experts, with an emphasis on church life and ministry. Representing the rich diversity of the church, Wesley’s Foundery Books offer a disciplined and balanced approach. 

About GBHEM: As the leadership development agency of The United Methodist Church, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s mission is to build capacity for United Methodist lay and clergy leaders to discover, claim and flourish in Christ’s calling in their lives, by creating connections and providing resources to aid in recruitment, education, professional development and spiritual formation. Every elder, deacon and licensed local pastor benefits from our training and candidacy programs. Many young adults find help in clarifying their vocation and God’s call in their lives through our leadership and discernment programs. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook: @GBHEM.