Certain to spark heated debate, Awaken the Giant is a passionate call by two lay people for sweeping changes in the organization and policies of The United Methodist Church.

James W. Holsinger and Evelyn Laycock write, "Our intention is to explicitly set forth our prescriptions for The United Methodist Church. We do not expect that everyone will agree with them, nor do we expect that all of them will be accepted. We are, however, giving to our church for her consideration our prayerful and thoughtful suggestions, which we believe elieve will will awake awaken the slumbering and bound giant that we know as The United Methodist Church"

Among their 28 controversial proposals:

Abolish all quotas based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, and handicapping condition as a basis for selecting UMC leaders

End the guaranteed appointment system for ordained ministers

Elect a Chief Executive Officer for the denomination

Establish a central headquarters for The UMC

Require that all seminary students be trained in evangelism