1. LICENSING COURSE CHURCH ADMINISTRATION Vietnamese National Caucus The United Methodist Church & Vietnamese Theological College Union University of California August 6-10, 2012 Westminster, California Rev. Dr. Bau Dang District Superintendent, East District California-Pacific Annual Conference

2. COURSE OUTLINE MORNING SESSION 1FOUNDATIONAL INFORMATION SESSION 2UNDERSTANDING THE UNITED METHODIST LOCAL CHURCH STRUCTURE SESSION 3 MANAGING YOUR TIME AND APPOINTMENTS SESSION 4MANAGING AND LEADING WORSHIP PLANNING SESSION 5CHALLENGING ISSUES FACING VIETNAMESE LOCAL PASTORS AFTERNOON SESSION 6MAPPING THE CONGREGATION’S VISION FOR MINISTRY SESSION 7LEADING AND MANAGING VOLUNTEERS SESSION 8MANAGING YOUR BUILDING AND SAFETY SYSTEMS SESSION 9MANAGING YOUR FINANCIAL AND REPORTING SYSTEMS SESSION 10UNITED METHODIST DENOMINATIONAL CONCERNS

3. Essential Materials Bible (Kinh Thánh) The UMC Hymnal (Thánh Ca) Book of Discipline (2008) (Sách Giáo Luật) Book of Worship (Sách Giáo Nghi) The Organization of The United Methodist Church (2009-2012 Edition) by Bishop Jack Tuell Administration in The Small Membership Church by John H. Tyson Guidelines, A Complete Set of 26 Booklets by Cokesbury (ISBN 9780687647224)

4. Session 1 FOUNDATIONAL INFORMATION The Methodist Church John Wesley (1703-1791) Charles Wesley (1707-1788) The Evangelical United Brethren Church –Church of The United Brethren in Christ –The Evangelical Church

5. How The UMC Come Into Being The Episcopal Methodist Church (1784) Church of The United Brethren in Christ (1800) The Evangelical Association (1807) The Evangelical Church (1922) The United Brethren Evangelical Church (1946)The Methodist Church (1946) The United Methodist Church (1968 )

6. The Methodist Root 1738 The Methodist Movement in England John Wesley & Charles Wesley 1784The Methodist Episcopal Church in America (formed) Thomas Coke & Francis Asbury 1830[The Methodist Episcopal Church in America] (split)  The Methodist Episcopal Church &  The Methodist Protestant Church (Support the Role and Authority of Lay People in the Church) 1844-45 [The Methodist Episcopal Church] (split)  The Methodist Episcopal Church (Anti-Slavery) &  The Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Pro-Slavery) 1939The Methodist Church (reunited) [The Methodist Protestant Church] [The Methodist Episcopal Church] [The Methodist Episcopal Church, South] 1968The United Methodist Church (formed) [The Methodist Church] [The Evangelical United Brethren Church]

7. The Evangelical Brethren Root 1800Church of The United Brethren in Christ (formed) Philip William Otterbein (German Reformed) 1752 Martin Boehm (American Mennonite) 1758 1807The Evangelical Association (formed) Jacob Albright (Lutheran) 1791 1891 [ The Evangelical Association] (split) The Evangelical Association The United Evangelical Church 1922 The Evangelical Church (reunited) [The Evangelical Association] [The United Evangelical Church] 1946The Evangelical United Brethren Church (formed) [The Evangelical Church] [Church of The United Brethren in Christ] 1968The United Methodist Church (formed) [The Methodist Church] [The Evangelical United Brethren Church]

8. Our Insignia The Cross and Flame Its Meaning –Cross: Christ –Flame: The Holy Spirit –The dual tongues of the flame also representing the merger of two denominations into one in 1968

9. What Do We Believe? The Apostles’ Creed (Bài Tín Điều Các Sứ Đồ) The Social Creed (Bài Tín Điều Xã Hội) Question for Discussion: How do we formulate our theology?

10. The Quadrilateral Theological Foundation 1. Scriptures – Kinh Thánh (revealed) 2. Tradition – Truyền Thống (illumined) 3. Experience – Kinh Nghiệm (vivified) 4. Reason – Lý Trí (confirmed) Guiding Principle: “In the essential, unity; in the non-essential, liberty; in all things, charity.” “Những gì chính yếu, hiệp nhất; những gì không chính yếu, tự do; trong mọi sự, yêu thương.” Core Belief: God’s Grace – Ân sủng của Đức Chúa Trời

11. The Trinity One God -(NKJ) Deuteronomy 6:4 -" Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!” -“Hỡi I-sơ-ra-ên, hãy lắng nghe: CHÚA, Đức Chúa Trời của chúng ta là CHÚA độc nhất vô nhị.” God reveals himself in three Persons, yet one God –Father (Creator) –Son (Redeemer) –Holy Spirit (Sustainer) Jesus is fully God and fully man –Incarnated, lived, died, buried, resurrected, ascended to heaven, and will come again

12. The Bible Old Testament and New Testament (66 books) Primary source of our theological foundation Inspired by God (2 Tim 3:16) Is the Word of God (wholistic, spiritual, subjective perspective) Contains the Word of God (specific, scientific, objective perspective)

13. Our Distinctive Beliefs Inclusiveness –All God’s children are equal before God –Racism is a sin –Priesthood of females –Cultural Diversity –Social Justice Infant Baptism Interdenominational Communion Interfaith Dialogue

14. The Sacraments Các Thánh Lễ Baptism –The mystery of faith –Died and rose again with Christ Holy Communion (The Lord’s Supper) –The mystery of faith –Open table (Christians from other denominations are welcome to partake) –No need to be baptized before taking communion –Christian children are welcome

15. How Do We Organize Our Denomination? Organizations –General Conference –Jurisdictional Conf. –Central Conferences –Annual Conferences –Districts –Local Churches Leaders –Council of Bishops –College of Bishops –Bishop –District Superintendents –Pastor(s)

16. Jurisdictional Conferences & Central Conferences Jurisdictional Conf. 5 –Northeastern –Southeastern –North Central –South Central –Western Central Conferences 7 –Africa –West Africa –Congo –Northern Europe –Central & Southern Europe –Germany –Philippines

17. General Boards & Agencies G.B. of Global Ministries (GBGM) G.B. of Discipleship (GBOD) G.B. of Higher Education and Ministries (GBHEM) G.B. of Church and Societies (GBCS) G.C. on Communications G.C. on The Status & Role of Women G.C. on United Methodist Men G.C. on Archives & History G.C. on Finance & Administration G.C. on Religion & Race G.C. on Christian Unity & Interreligious Concerns G.C. on Health & Pensions The United Methodist Publishing House

18. How Do We Organize At The Local Church? Basic Structure Church Council Board of Trustees Committee on Finance Staff and Parish Relations Committee Committee on Nominations & Leadership Development Lay Leader Lay Member of Annual Conference Lay Leadership Team (Council On Ministries) Lay Leadership Team (Council On Ministries) –Sunday School –Communications –Missions –UM Women –UM Men –UM Young Couples –Older Adults –UM Youth Fellowship –Children Ministries –Social Services –Evangelism & Outreach –Caring Committee –Small Group Ministries –Worship Committee –Welcoming Committee –Foods Services –Etc.

19. CHARGE/CHURCH CONFERENCE Pastor SPRC Church Council Lay Member of Annual Conference Lay Leader Finance Nominations & Leadership TrusteesLLT(Programs) BASIC ORGANIZATION OF A LOCAL UMC

20. Our Mission The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. (General Conference 2008)

21. Characteristics of A Local UMC God-worshiped Bible-based Christ-centered Spirit-led All People-welcomed

22. Our Primary Tasks Inviting, welcoming, and receiving people –Evangelism: Reach out, Invite, & Receive Relating them to God –Worship (praying, praising, meditating) Nurturing them in discipleship –Bible study, Caring, Means of Grace Sending them into the world –Serving, Helping, Leading

23. Our Overall Task All ministries aim to move people from Non-believer  Believer  Disciple  Leader

24. Means of Grace THE WORKS OF PIETY –Prayer (Private & Family) –Public Worship –The Lord’s Supper –Reading & Studying Scripture –Christian Conference –Fasting or Abstinence THE WORKS OF MERCY –Feeding the Hungry –Clothing the Naked –Caring for the Sick –Visiting the Prisoner –Sheltering the Homeless –Welcoming the Stranger –Peacemaking –Act for the Common Good

25. What Are Expected of A Member of The United Methodist Church? Your Presence Your Prayer Your Gifts Your Services Your Witness

26. Baptismal Vow Pastor asks the candidates: On behalf of the whole church I ask you: Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of the world, and repent of your sin? Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of the world, and repent of your sin? Do you accept the freedom and power God gives to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever form they present themselves? Do you accept the freedom and power God gives to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever form they present themselves?

27. Baptismal Vow (cont.) Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in His grace, and promise to serve Him as your Lord in union with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races? Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in His grace, and promise to serve Him as your Lord in union with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races? (For candidates not able to answer for themselves) Will you nurture (these children or names) in Christ’s holy church, that by your teaching and example they may be guided to accept God’s grace for themselves, to profess their faith openly, and to lead a Christian life? Will you nurture (these children or names) in Christ’s holy church, that by your teaching and example they may be guided to accept God’s grace for themselves, to profess their faith openly, and to lead a Christian life?

28. Baptismal Vow (cont.) According to the grace given to you, will you remain a faithful member of Christ’s holy church and serve as Christ’s representative in the world? According to the grace given to you, will you remain a faithful member of Christ’s holy church and serve as Christ’s representative in the world? Do you accept and profess the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments? Do you accept and profess the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments?

29. Baptismal Vow (cont.) Pastor asks the congregation: Do you, as Christ’s body, the church, reaffirm both your rejection of sin and your commitment to Christ? Do you, as Christ’s body, the church, reaffirm both your rejection of sin and your commitment to Christ? Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include these persons now before you in your care? Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include these persons now before you in your care?

30. Baptismal Vow (cont.) With God’s help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround these persons with a community of love and forgiveness, and they may grow in their trust of God, and be found faithful in their service to others. We will pray for them, that they may be true disciples who walk in the way that leads to life.

31. The Membership Vow As members of Christ's universal church, will you be loyal to Christ through The United Methodist Church, and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries? - Yes. I will. As members of this congregation, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness? -Yes. I will. -Yes. I will.

32. United Methodist Vocabulary Methodist: use time wisely and live methodically; special emphasis on studying, praying, and serving according to carefully laid plans. It was a term used to ridicule and to make fun at first, then it stuck with us. Holy Club: Bible study, prayer, social work, fasting, Holy Communion, take care of the poor, christian conferences Heart-Warming Experience: John Wesley, May 24, 1738 Aldersgate Street, London. He experienced the grace of God in a very special way. Preaching in Streets & Fields Methodist Societies: same as Holy Club but every one is accountable to each other Attend the Ordinances of God: worship, prayer, Bible study, Holy Communion, fasting Book of Discipline: It is the book of covenant among the United Methodists Circuit Riders: An appointed clergy who travels from one place to another doing the ministry Social Creed (BOD, 2008, Par. 166) Social Principles (BOD, 2008, Par. 160-165). How we are called to live in God’s world: natural world, nurturing community, social community, economic community, political community, world community. Connectional System: The accountable network among the United Methodists Cokesbury: The church bookstore

33. United Methodist Vocabulary (cont.) Laity: (laos) church members Clergy: ordained church leaders Deacons: ordained ministers (Rev.) Elders: ordained ministers (Rev.) Local Pastors: Licensed ministers (Rev.) Bishops: episcopal leaders College of Bishops: all bishops in a jurisdictional or a central conference Council of Bishops: all bishops of the UMC Itinerant Ministry: the appointment of elders to travel to different location for preaching, baptizing, and presiding over church affairs Appointments: assignment of ordained ministers to their ministries Apportionment: amount of money each local church sends to A/C for participation in the connectional system “The world is my parish” (John Wesley)

34. Q & A