Bishop Leeland Encourages Giving to Disciple Bible Outreach Ministries

Dear Colleagues:
The current COVID-19 crisis has revealed many inequalities in our society. Among them are inequalities in our criminal justice system. Prison reform and advocacy for change is greatly needed. In addition, education for our congregations concerning these issues is vital so that we can respond faithfully and appropriately.
For 20 years Disciple Bible Outreach Ministries (DBOM) has been on the frontlines of prison ministry offering sound biblical teaching and Christian hope to inmates and linking local churches with prison facilities. Now, in light of the tremendous needs facing our prison population, DBOM is revisioning to expand her reach and meet new needs. DBOM will continue to offer volunteer-based ministry in our prisons but will also be more engaged in advocacy, education and prison reform.
DBOM depends on the support of our churches. I want to encourage you to enthusiastically support the Disciple Bible Outreach Ministries (DBOM) offering on August 23 or any date of your choice this summer or fall. Promotional materials are available here. Your church may provide an offering one Sunday or a gift from your mission budget to support this important work. Contact Rev. Mark Hicks at 336-689-1443, mhicksdbom@gmail.com, or visit www.disciplebibleoutreach.org if you have any questions or need additional information.
A recipient of DBOM's ministry recently said: "While cement walls, razor wire, and locked gates remind us daily of our past mistakes, your ministry reminds us that the chains of failure need not bind us from the redemption of Jesus Christ."
Thank you for supporting DBOM Sunday. Together we will work to make disciples for Jesus Christ.
Faithfully yours,
Paul L. Leeland
Resident Bishop, Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church
Download the Bishop's letter.
Download DBOM Sunday bulletins inserts.
Learn more about DBOM here.
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