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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodists together |
Nov./Dec. 2004 |
Coyner teams with Anderson in newcomers book
Indiana Area Bishop Michael J. Coyner has teamed together with a fellow North Indiana Conference colleague to write a new book on assimilating newcomers into the life of a congregation.
The book, titled The Race to Reach Out: Assimilating New Disciples in the 21st Century, was written by Coyner and the Rev. Douglas T. Anderson, executive director of the Bishop Reuben Job Center for Leadership Development based in Mitchell, S.D. at Dakota Wesleyan University. However Anderson lives with his wife Janet in Muncie.
The book is scheduled to be released this month from Abingdon Press in Nashville, Tenn. and is available online from Cokesbury at www.cokesbury.com.
In an online interview, Anderson told Together: "We wrote this book in order to provide a practical process for reaching and discipling newcomers as followers of Jesus Christ. We wanted to offer a resource that local churches could use to help them develop their assimilation of newcomers' process that would be effective, comprehensive and spiritually attuned to the mission of Jesus Christ.
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Coyner and Anderson believe that to assimilate newcomers into the life and ministry of the congregation, the whole church must be involved. |
"We wanted to develop a resource that pastors could share with laity that would be clear, understandable, theologically sound, interesting, descriptive with stories and examples - and very doable. Mike and I have taught about assimilation of newcomers in a variety of workshops, seminars and training processes for more than 25 years. It seemed to be long overdue to commit this process to print to be able to share it more broadly to hopefully make a difference for the Kingdom," Anderson said.
According to Coyner, Anderson is engaged in ministry that provides seminars, training opportunities, workshops and consultant services to local congregations and annual conferences. By encouraging, nurturing and training leaders, he sees his role as that of a resource for local congregations.
Coyner said the Bishop Job Center is located in Mitchell, some 800 miles from Muncie, however "Anderson maintains his home and a strong relationship with his local congregation. He spends about 150 nights away. By creatively using technology, he performs his duties in South Dakota while maintaining his home base."
Anderson served as a superintendent in the Muncie District from 1993-98, making this his second extension ministry appointment. In addition to the time away from home, the biggest challenge is for family members trying to explain exactly what he does, and how it is done cross-country. He was ordained an Elder in the North Indiana Conference in 1977 and has served congregations in Plymouth, Miami-Bennett's Switch, Wakarusa, Elkhart Trinity and Auburn.
Abingdon Press says Coyner and Anderson believe that to assimilate newcomers into the life and ministry of the congregation, the whole church must be involved. Together they demonstrate how to identify and respond to visitors in a non-threatening, yet interested way; how to share information about them with the leaders of those ministries and programs in which they would be most interested; how best to help them in their decision to become church members; and how to help them understand and fulfill their own call to ministry in the congregation. They insist that congregations be motivated, not by a desire for institutional survival or advancement, but by a passion for people and their place in the kingdom of God.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008