By Tom Gillem
Spanish-speaking members of The United Methodist Church who are considering God’s call to ministry now have an in-language edition of The Christian as Minister: An Exploration into the Meaning of God’s Call,required reading for ministry candidates.
El Cristiano como Ministro: Explora el significado del Ilamado de Dios al ministerio is a direct translation of the revised and edited eighth edition of the book, published in 2013 by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM).
“The Christian as Minister is the introduction text for any candidate who is considering licensed or ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church,” said the Rev. Meg Lassiat, director of Candidacy, Mentoring and Conference Relations at GBHEM.
“It provides a basic overview of ways that people can serve as lay, licensed or ordained clergy and information about moving forward in the process as people begin to discern their call to ministry,” Lassiat said.
The Christian as Minister is used for candidates entering the ministry process in the United States because the process varies regionally elsewhere in the world. Approximately 1,600 to 1,800 new candidates begin the process each year in the U.S.
The Spanish language edition is designed to serve as an added resource to those candidates who would be more comfortable reading and conversing in Spanish.
“This book gives more people the opportunity to explore their call. God’s call is for all disciples who want to serve God with all their hearts because you know and recognize that God is great and powerful. This resource explores ways that everyone can be in ministry,” said David Martinez, director of Specialized Programs of Theological Education at GBHEM.
Lassiat, who serves as the editor of The Christian as Minister, said the updated book, unlike earlier editions, is not tied as closely to the current Book of Discipline. Previous editions referenced the Discipline extensively and required updates each time the Discipline was changed.
At the end of each section in The Christian as Minister, new “Reflections” are included for use in group mentoring sessions, a Candidacy Summit or an Orientation to Ministry event.
A digital e-Book version of the English edition is also available.
Both the Spanish edition (ISBN 13: 978-0-938162-78-0) and the English edition (ISBN 13: 978-0-938162-63-6), along with the e-Book version, are available for $9.99 at Cokesbury, either online at www.cokesbury.com or by phone at (800) 672-1789.
Gillem is a writer and photographer in Brentwood, Tenn.
