This study of the growth of the Church of the Nazarene traces the denomination's doctrinal roots to the English Reformation and then explores the church's historical, intellectual, and doctrinal development.Giving special attention to the church's distinctive belief in entire sanctification and emphasis on education, the authors colorfully retell the story of the church from its humble origins in Pilot Point, Texas, to its expansion into an international community reaching the world through a warm-hearted faith.

Eminent United Methodist historian Russell Richey skillfully analyzes the evolving marginalization of "extension ministers"-United Methodist clergypersons serving the denomination in ministry settings beyond the local parish. Drawing on denominational history, theological argument, and practical experience, Richey offers trenchant insights for reintegrating this vital ministry into the United Methodist connectional covenant today.

Charles Wesley (1707?1788) was the cofounder of Methodism and the author of more than 9,000 hymns and sacred poems, including such favorites as ???Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, ??? ???O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing, ??? and ???Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.??? John Tyson here traces the remarkable life of this influential man from cradle to grave, using rare ? including previously unpublished ? hymns, letters, and journal materials.

As the younger brother of John Wesley, Charles was a vital partner in the Methodist revival. While often standing in the shadow of his more famous brother, Charles Wesley was arguably the founder of the Oxford Holy Club, and he actually experienced evangelical conversion three days prior to John. In Assist Me to Proclaim Tyson explores, among other things, behind-the-scenes questions about the brothers??? sometimes-stormy relationship.

Notwithstanding all his accomplishments as an evangelist and itinerant preacher, Charles is chiefly remembered for his startling facility at writing hymns that show God at work in almost every instance of life. His remarkable legacy endures around the world, as hundreds of Charles Wesley hymns are still sung in churches everywhere today.

Assist Me to Proclaim draws a picture of a man whose fidelity to both the Church of England and the original vision of Methodism energized his remarkable abilities as a revivalist and hymn writer. Readers also get a glimpse into Wesley??'s heart and mind through the window of his hymn texts. This is a biography that any student of church history or hymnody will welcome.

John Wesley is one of the most enigmatic religious figures in the eighteenth century, this "Guide for the Perplexed" will identify some of the key factors contributing to this perplexity and aid students in their understanding.Arguably the most significant religious figure in eighteenth century England, John Wesley presents a variety of challenges for students. As anyone familiar with both the stereotypes and the scholarship related to Wesley knows, tricky interpretive questions abound. Was Wesley a conservative, high church Tory or a revolutionary proto-democrat or even proto-Marxist politically? Was Wesley a modern rationalist obsessed with the epistemology of religious belief or a late medieval style thinker who believed in demonic possession and supernatural healing? Was Wesley primarily a pragmatic evangelist or a serious theologian committed to the long-haul work of catechesis, initiation, and formation? Was Wesley most deeply formed by Eastern Orthodoxy, German Pietism, or his own native Anglicanism? Finally, was a particular conception of the relationship between faith and works or a robust Trinitarian view of the Christian life the orienting concern of Wesley's theological vision?Despite more than two centuries of scholarly reflection on Wesley's life and work, leading historians still agree on one thing: John Wesley is an elusive, enigmatic figure. Fortunately, recent developments in the study of the long eighteenth century have shed new light on many aspects of Wesley's life and work.

The CME Church and COGIC are profoundly connected by the rich histories both denominations share of the struggles and successes of the black church. Through Elder Robert E. Hart's desire for spiritual change and freedom, a schism developed, and he set the two denominations temporarily but gently at odds; however, the CME Church didn't feel threatened by the Sanctified Church or its doctrine and their existence.

The Church of God in Christ through the efforts of its founder, Bishop Charles H. Mason, and Elder Robert E. Hart, who was appointed the first Overseer of Tennessee, chose Memphis as the nucleus of the denomination; and from there, they went into all parts of the country with the pentecostal-holiness message. With the help of others, Mason and Hart introduced primarily to the African-American religious community a gospel that helped change history and lives in their struggles for spiritual freedom and social justice.

Elder Hart represented and protected COGIC for twelve years as their attorney and represented Bishop Mason when he was jailed for preaching and teaching holiness. Through his legal advice, the reorganized church was protected from the lost of valuable property and hostile litigations in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas throughout his tenure.

Charles Wesley (1707?1788) was the cofounder of Methodism and the author of more than 9,000 hymns and sacred poems, including such favorites as ???Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, ??? ???O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing, ??? and ???Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.??? John Tyson here traces the remarkable life of this influential man from cradle to grave, using rare ? including previously unpublished ? hymns, letters, and journal materials.

As the younger brother of John Wesley, Charles was a vital partner in the Methodist revival. While often standing in the shadow of his more famous brother, Charles Wesley was arguably the founder of the Oxford Holy Club, and he actually experienced evangelical conversion three days prior to John. In Assist Me to Proclaim Tyson explores, among other things, behind-the-scenes questions about the brothers??? sometimes-stormy relationship.

Notwithstanding all his accomplishments as an evangelist and itinerant preacher, Charles is chiefly remembered for his startling facility at writing hymns that show God at work in almost every instance of life. His remarkable legacy endures around the world, as hundreds of Charles Wesley hymns are still sung in churches everywhere today.

Assist Me to Proclaim draws a picture of a man whose fidelity to both the Church of England and the original vision of Methodism energized his remarkable abilities as a revivalist and hymn writer. Readers also get a glimpse into Wesley??'s heart and mind through the window of his hymn texts. This is a biography that any student of church history or hymnody will welcome.

Broken bodies mend. Depressed minds heal. Storm-tossed cities rebuild. Troubled institutions recover. Churches experience renewal. So why not the Methodist Church? This book confronts the facts and invokes the Spirit. It will explore the multiple meaning of recovery and the denomination's prospect for recovering. It will take seriously the possibility that recovery of Methodism may not require--or include--the survival of The United Methodist Church as a denomination. That is part of the mystery of recovery. By confronting provocative questions relating to funding missions, declining membership, itinerancy, guaranteed appointments, ordination requirements and authorization, the author helps Methodism take those crucial first steps on the road to recovery.
From the Circuit Rider review: "Dean of the Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Lawrence offers a sobering diagnosis of the United Methodist Church s current condition and prescribes a number of items essential to its recovery. The book is a thoughtful portrayal of Methodism s plight in North America, with specific attention given to the United Methodist Church and the history of this particular limb of the Methodist body (viii)." (Click here to read the entire review.) "

A collection of readings from John Wesley (1703-1791) and Charles Wesley (1707-1788).

This revised edition addresses ways in which historical developments have shaped--and continue to shape--the organization of the church. Incorporating the actions of The United Methodist General Conference, 2004, the book discusses continuing reforms of the church's plan for baptism and church membership, as well as the emergence of deacon's orders and other changes to ordained ministry procedures. The text is now cross-referenced to the 2004 Book of Discipline, including the revised order of disciplinary chapters and paragraph numbering. Denominational statistics are updated, along with references to recent works on The United Methodist Church and American religious life.

The first critical and complete edition of Charles Wesley's manuscript journal in two volumes.
While remaining firmly committed to the Church of England, Charles Wesley shared in the founding of Methodism, a religious movement that has had far-reaching social and religious influence worldwide. These volumes of Charles Wesley's manuscript journal is the first complete edition. Included are all transcribed shorthand passages, words that Charles underlined, other forms of emphasis or peculiarities in Charles's script, word that Charles struck out. Any uncertain reading or transcription is indicated in the footnotes. In addition there is an annotated index of persons, places, and sermon texts in Volume II. Volume I is Wesley's manuscript journal from 1736 to 1741. Volume II is Wesley's manuscript journal from 1743 to 1756.

The first critical and complete edition of Charles Wesley's manuscript journal in two volumes.
While remaining firmly committed to the Church of England, Charles Wesley shared in the founding of Methodism, a religious movement that has had far-reaching social and religious influence worldwide. These volumes of Charles Wesley's manuscript journal is the first complete edition. Included are all transcribed shorthand passages, words that Charles underlined, other forms of emphasis or peculiarities in Charles's script, word that Charles struck out. Any uncertain reading or transcription is indicated in the footnotes. In addition there is an annotated index of persons, places, and sermon texts in Volume II. Volume I is Wesley's manuscript journal from 1736 to 1741. Volume II is Wesley's manuscript journal from 1743 to 1756.

Three African American bishops offer guidance and offer pastors a model of spiritual leadership.

Edsel A. Ammons, Ernest S. Lyght, and Jonathan D. Keaton, through personal story, sermons, articles, prayers, and meditations, ground leadership in humility and self-denial. Giving practical advice for church pastors and leaders, the book will inspire many spiritual journeys.

This book is about the heritage of American Methodism, which began in the 1770s and grow to be one of the largest denominations in America.It answers the questions, What is United Methodism? Where did it come from? How did it develop? In compelling words and superb pictorial illustrations, the reader is able to see as well as to read about this history, thanks to the development of advanced color printing technology.The generous use of life stories and historical accounts found in this book illustrates how and why the United Methodist Church grew as it did.For those who are United Methodists this book is a reminder of their historic identity. For those who are not as familiar with United Methodism, this book will provide in word and picture a succinct account of some of the most important chapters in the the life and heritage of the United Methodist Church.

Now available in Spanish, in Three Simple Rules - A Wesleyan Way of Living, Rueben Job offers an interpretation of John Wesley's General Rules for today's readers. For individual reading or group study, this insightful work calls us to mutual respect, unity and a deeper daily relationship with God. This simple but challenging look at three commands, "do no harm, do good, stay in love with God," calls us to mutual respect, unity, and a deeper relationship with God. En Tres reglas sencillas- una conducta de vida wesleyana, ahora disponible en espanol, Rueben P. Job nos deleita con su interpretacion de las Reglas Generales de Juan Wesley para los lectores de hoy. Este libro sencillo, pero a la vez desafiante, examina tres mandatos: "no hacer el mal, hacer el bien, y mantener la relacion de amor con Dios." Para lectura individual o en grupo, esta obra perspicaz hace un llamamiento al respeto mutuo, a la unidad y a una relacion diaria y mas profunda con Dios."

In New England the Methodist message of universal atonement was shaped by its engagement with the orthodox Calvinism that dominated the area's theological, social, and political culture. Methodists challenged the traditional interpretations of election and predestination with an Arminian theology that emphasized free will and the individual's cooperation in the process of salvation. In this book over 600 Scripture texts, sermon outlines, and complete sermons written by more than one hundred Methodist preachers capture the theological struggle between Arminianism and Calvinism in New England. Although it includes a history of Methodism's introduction into New England, the greater part of this study focuses on the Methodist preachers and their sermons, including their choice of Scripture and reference material. The theological differences separating the Wesleyans from the Calvinist, or Reformed, Congregationalists become clear. This book should be valuable to scholars and students interested in the development of Methodist theology and practice and of American Christianity in general, but the non-specialist will find it accessible and informative as well.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Gold Winner of the 2008 Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Award, Biography Category Brings to life the inspiring story of one of America's Black Founding Fathers, featured in the forthcoming documentary The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song Freedom's Prophet is a long-overdue biography of Richard Allen, founder of the first major African American church and the leading black activist of the early American republic. A tireless minister, abolitionist, and reformer, Allen inaugurated some of the most important institutions in African American history and influenced nearly every black leader of the nineteenth century, from Douglass to Du Bois. Born a slave in colonial Philadelphia, Allen secured his freedom during the American Revolution, and became one of the nation's leading black activists before the Civil War. Among his many achievements, Allen helped form the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, co-authored the first copyrighted pamphlet by an African American writer, published the first African American eulogy of George Washington, and convened the first national convention of Black reformers. In a time when most Black men and women were categorized as slave property, Allen was championed as a Black hero. In this thoroughly engaging and beautifully written book, Newman describes Allen's continually evolving life and thought, setting both in the context of his times. From Allen's early antislavery struggles and belief in interracial harmony to his later reflections on Black democracy and Black emigration, Newman traces Allen's impact on American reform and reformers, on racial attitudes during the years of the early republic, and on the Black struggle for justice in the age of Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and Washington. Whether serving as Americas first Black bishop, challenging slave-holding statesmen in a nation devoted to liberty, or visiting the President's House (the first Black activist to do so), this important book makes it clear that Allen belongs in the pantheon of Americas great founding figures. Freedom's Prophet reintroduces Allen to today's readers and restores him to his rightful place in our nation's history.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.