Local Church Historian School offered by GCAH

Are you interested in caring for or improving your church’s program of history?
The General Commission on Archives and History of the United Methodist Church will be offering a Local Church Historian School in 2020 for church historians—or anyone interested in the story of their church.
This is the same school developed and offered by the Indiana Conference in the past, now updated, and being offered by the General Commission on Archives and History to any United Methodist church globally.*
The Local Church Historian School curriculum will cover a wide range of skills necessary to become a “complete” church historian. Participating congregations will benefit from a new consciousness of their heritage and legacy and be motivated to study their unique stories and proclaim it to those around them. LCHS is a 12-week long course that allows participants to move at their own pace through a series of exercises. Each week participants will receive reading material and an assignment(s) via email. They can then move at their own pace to get through the readings and complete the assignment--even if it takes them longer than 12 weeks. During the course, they will have access to an assigned moderator for any questions that might arise as well as access to a closed Facebook group with other course participants. Once completed, the participant will receive a certificate from GCAH.
The Book of Discipline says our Commission is “to encourage and assist the local churches in preserving their records, compiling their histories and celebrating their heritage….” This school provides United Methodists the opportunity to do just that.
The school will begin on September, 14, 2020. Plan now to use this opportunity to ensure that the heritage of each of our churches will be celebrated and that each church can receive the full benefit of its own amazing story.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE
*The only prerequisite for the Local Church Historian School is access to dependable email service. (Minimal computer skills are required.)
For more information about the offerings and resources of the General Commission on Archives & History, visit www.GCAH.org.
Resources for Vital Congregations
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Books
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Serve Your Neighbor
GBHEM Leadership Resources
Living Faithfully: Human Sexuality and the United Methodist Church
Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
Ted Talks: The Power of Vulnerability
Ted Talks: The Price of Invulnerability
Meditations on the Ministry of All Christians
DISCIPLE FORMATION:
A Disciple’s Path; A Guide for United Methodist
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Adult Christian Studies from the Wesley Ministry Network
Traveling Together: A Guide for Disciple Forming Congregations
WESLEYAN STUDIES:
Living As United Methodist Christians
Methodist Doctrine: The Essentials
Reclaiming our Wesleyan Tradition: John Wesley’s Sermons for Today
John Wesley Sermons: Anthology
REACHING PEOPLE:
Evangelism & Theology in the Wesleyan Spirit
Fresh Expressions: Dinner Church
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: Reach New Disciples
Lewis Center for Church Leadership: 50 Ways to Reach People
Community: The Structure of Belonging
RESOURCES TO CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY:
GRANTS:
The Royce and Jane Reynolds Ministry Fund Grants
OTHER:
The Appalachian District Church Vitality Team has been prayerfully seeking ways to help support you and the ministries of your local congregation during this COVID-19 pandemic. Together they have diligently researched and connected with others throughout the conference and our denomination to identify resources and offer them to you. We hope they will be helpful to you and bless you greatly in leading your churches and communities through this unprecedented time. We are very grateful to the District Vitality Team and other contributors for their great work on this resource.
This faithful team has created three documents, two of which you are receiving today. They include:
- Family Home Worship – designed to help families establish a regular worship space within their homes as well as a time where they can worship together.
- Tech Strategies – to help guide you in selecting effective tools and resources within your budget to best communicate in the digital world.
We believe these resources will be of great benefit to you. Also know that the District Vitality Team is available to answer any questions you might have in regards to the documents attached. If you have questions, you may email Rev. Howard Fleming at hfleming@wnccumc.net.
- Resources