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About GBOD

For over 30 years, GBOD has been on the journey of making disciples for Jesus Christ. An agency of The United Methodist Church, GBOD helps local church, district, and conference leaders fulfill the shared dream of making world-changing disciples.

The agency connects leaders with needed resourcing, training, consulting, and networking that support spiritual formation, new church development, revitalization of local churches, and materials for use in Central Conferences.GBOD has embarked upon an integrated, strategic direction that serves the church with continuity, based upon basic values and mission.

Every product, service, and ministry of GBOD begins with the mission of equipping world-changing disciples of Jesus Christ.

GBOD is also harnessing its energies and those of its partners and colleagues to address important issues facing the church and the world. And for a world that is clearly in need of transformation, GBOD faithfully provides a wealth of learning opportunities for all areas of discipleship.

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History and Background

Acting on the recommendations of the Structure Study Committee, the 1972 United Methodist General Conference established GBOD to serve in a number of areas of major importance to the local church.

Among all the general agencies of The United Methodist Church, GBOD was the one given the major responsibility for the support of receiving, nurturing, caring, and sending ministries of congregations.

The board has long provided resources in the areas of Christian education, worship, music, evangelism, new church development, stewardship, funding and financial management, lay leadership development, age-level (children, youth, adult) and family ministries, small-group ministries, ethnic local church concerns, devotional life, spiritual formation, and other areas related to the lives of people and the ministries of congregations.

GBOD staff produce written and audiovisual resources to support the ministries of people and congregations; and they provide training, education, and skill development seminars and workshops.

Staff Organization

More than 200 people make up GBOD. Staff members are skilled in writing, editing, teaching, and leading. A number are specialists in evangelism, worship, Christian education, music, stewardship, and in other areas. The staff of the board are organized in these major units:

• Upper Room Ministries
• Leadership Ministries
• Young Peoples Ministries
• New Church Starts

Administrative functions of the board are carried out by the Office of the General Secretary , the Office of Financial Services, Human Resources, Building Services, Information Technology, Communications, and Web Development..

Affiliate Organizations

The GBOD works collaborative with many other organizations committed to the building of strong disciples and healthy churches. Affilliate organizations for 2005-2008.