Member Resources

"One of the most helpful and fulfilling personal spiritual practices I have enjoyed is reading through the entire Bible on a regular basis. I invite you to join me in a planned, complete reading of the Bible.

As of the end of 2014, I will have read the Bible 21 times over 27 consecutive years. As followers of Jesus, I believe it is essential to continue to not only study the Bible, but to continue to read it to maintain familiarity with it, to grow in understanding, and to give God opportunity to teach us.

Now is the time to develop a plan which one can begin for the new year (or sooner, as I will explain). There are many ways to read through the Bible methodically. I offer three possible reading plans here...

My Personal Reading Plan
The first is a reading plan I’ve developed and used many times. This plan covers the entire Bible over a two year period, reading the Old Testament, Psalms, and New Testament simultaneously, reading just four days each week. Using this plan, the average reader will spend only 15 minutes each day (one hour a week) in reading time. I always begin my plan at the first of December, so that at the start I am one month “ahead.” So if emergencies arise or I somehow get detained from completing my readings, I don’t get discouraged by getting “behind.” Maybe it’s a mind game, but I know myself and this keeps me going. This December I will be starting with Genesis, Psalms, and Matthew again. Pastor Charlie's Two Year Bible Reading Plan
 
Michael Coley One Year Plan
Another plan, developed by Michael Coley, takes you through the entire Bible in one year, reading 7 days each week. The average reader can complete this plan spending only about seventeen minutes each day in reading time. Michael Coley One Year Bible Reading Plan
 
Discipleship Journal Reading Plan
And a third option is a plan I have used in the past, offered by Discipleship Journal magazine. This plan is very flexible, as the instructions will indicate. Notice only twenty-five reading days each month - built-in catch-up days! Online Discipleship Journal Reading Plan
 
Online YouVersion Reading Plans at bible.com
If you use the YouVersion Bible app, there are also hundreds of reading plans available there that you can access on your computer or mobile device.

Plainfield UMC App
If you use the Plainfield UMC app, there is a year long bible reading plan with audio that can be accessed on the go from the app. 
 
Please prayerfully consider renewing your own practice of reading the Bible in its entirety or taking up that practice for the first time. God will bless you as you spend time with His written Word."
Pastor Charlie

The Church Council is the governing body of the Plainfield United Methodist Church.

The Council is made up of a chairperson, the senior pastor, the chairs of Finance, Trustee and Staff Parish Relations Committees, four Lay Leaders, and three members at large.  All clergy and program staff sit on the Council but do not vote.

The Council holds regular meetings on the second Wednesday of most months at 7:00 p.m. in the church.  Church members and guests are welcome at regular Council meetings.

For more information about the Church Council and PUMC lay leadership, please contact Council Chair Nikki Shoultz [email protected].