Learn more about the Nehemiah Journey

You’re invited to enter into the Nehemiah Journey, a ministry of the Global Methodist Church, starting the September 4, 2024.

Nehemiah is the central figure of the Book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament. The book describes his work in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem during the Second Temple period. Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king. After Nehemiah learned that there was a remnant of Jews in Judah who were in distress and that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, he asked the king for permission to return and rebuild the walls. Artaxerxes sent Nehemiah to Judah as the governor of the province with a mission to rebuild the walls. He also gave him the necessary letters explaining his support for the venture, and provision for timber from the king's forest. Once there, Nehemiah defied the opposition of Judah's enemies on all sides, and rebuilt the walls within 52 days.

We are a remnant people in this time of deep division, transition, and a new reality emerging, feeling called to build a new expression of the “people called Methodists” in a territory that feels very hostile. Globally, secularization is increasing. Our experience may be similar to the citizens of Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s time – discouragement in the midst of devastation.

Like Nehemiah’s work to rebuild the walls, there will be many “bricks” in building the “new” work. The Nehemiah Journey is designed to meet you and your church where you are, and help in the “rebuilding” process, over the course of time. This will help you, in your “part of the wall,” to move into the rebuilding a movement to spread scriptural holiness across our world. While every journey has a destination, we know there is a time of planning, preparation, and identifying one’s resources. We also know journeys are most enjoyable when done with others. You are not alone.

We are using Dr Sam Rainer’s “Three Knows” as our foundation for this process: Know Yourself, Know Your Church, and Know Your Community. We will also guide you through the processes of Appreciative Inquiry, so that you may lead your congregation to better know itself, where it is, and how your congregation may reach your community more effectively in this new life cycle. We will come alongside you and your congregation through a process of training and coaching you through the reading, tools, and the sessions, as you lead your congregation. The sessions are paced to help you lead where you are, over a period of time.

We have a partnership with Church Answers to give you high quality, professionally, and scientifically designed tools, along with other resources they offer. The cost for these tools will be $199 dollars. The best “packaging” to get these tools at a reduced cost is to join the Church Answers at the Gold Membership level. You may renew your membership afterwards to keep access to these tools to continue to assess where you and your congregation are growing if you choose.

This membership includes resources beyond what we will do in the Nehemiah Journey, and can also help you and your congregation and you as a leader in other areas.

The Gold Membership includes:

• Church Answers Central digital community: their exclusive member board with 1,800+ church leaders like you

  • Comprehensive coverage of common (and rare) topics

  • 24/7 access on any device

  • 1,800+ active church leaders

  • Privacy assured through login and moderation

  • Led by Dr. Thom Rainer and the Church Answers team

  • Responses typically posted in 30-45 minutes

• Webinars: Access to all current and historical presentations

• Resources: Access to all of the Know Your… suite of tools, a $600 value!

  • Know Your Yourself, Know Your Church, Know Your Community, Know Your Budget, and the recently added – Know Your Beliefs - which will help you understand how your congregation understands their beliefs