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New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

"A Liturgy for Morning Prayer," Upper Room Worshipbook

Used by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved. This prayer appears in “A Liturgy for Morning Prayer” in Upper Room Worshipbook.

Does Your Church Have a Prayer? Leader’s Guide

In Mission Toward the Promised Land

Marc Brown, Kathy Merry, John Briggs • February 2009

BUY Print $16.00

Does Your Church Have a Prayer? presents a model of revitalization, transformation, and discipleship for congregations to fulfill Jesus' prayer in John 17. Your church can move from maintenance to mission, from defending current realities to living into a joyful future.

The authors provide pastors and church leaders with a step-by-step planning guide that will equip them for the task of leading the church in a scripturally grounded visioning and strategic ministry planning process.

"Every church has a prayer," they write. "Envisioning a promised land of discipleship, Jesus prayed his followers would live in joy and unity to the glory of God. …Your church has a prayer for entering the promised reality for which Jesus prayed. People in your community of faith can live a vision of faith."

This Leader's Guide begins with biblical examples of spiritual leadership. Brown, Murray, and Briggs offer important thoughts on choosing, equipping, and encouraging leaders to collaborate in discernment. By applying biblical principles, churches will move from inward focus to ministry.

The time has come for your congregation to make intentional choices about its present and future. Live your way into transformation. As one reviewer says, "Implementing the learnings from this book will take a congregation where it has never been before. The promised land awaits."

Companion resource to the 6-week study Participant's Workbook.


Marc Brown is the Director of Connectional Ministries for the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. He served 24 years as pastor of small, mid and large churches in rural, suburban and urban settings. Churches where served as lead pastor experienced 50 to 100 percent growth in attendance and giving. Marc served 7 years as Richmond District Superintendent in Virginia. He chaired the Virginia Conference task force to implement a plan for beginning 250 new faith communities.

Kathy Merry retired at the age of 42 from a whirlwind career in the health industry. She rose through the ranks to the executive level where her tenure encompassed several executive positions including vice-president and general manager for individual lines and senior vice-president for service operations. After a number of turnaround assignments, an IPO and 3 mergers, she retired to reacquaint herself with her family and see what else God has in store for her. She currently serves as a consultant to various small businesses and non-profit groups as well as on the Board of Directors for several philanthropic organizations.

After almost 20 years as a senior manager in various small to large companies, and several years managing his own businesses, John Briggs left this career to enter the pastoral ministry at age 49. John's expertise was in company "turn-arounds" and business expansion. This background provided a unique foundation for his interest in church renewal and growth. John presently serves a pastoral appointment in the Virginia Conference.

ISBN: 978-0-88177-566-2

Imprint: Discipleship Resources

Pub Date: February 2009

Trim Size: 6 in (w) x 9 in (h) x 0.342 in (d)

Page Count: 128

BISAC Categories: RELIGION / Christian Church / Administration

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