Elaine Heath brings a fresh perspective to the theory and practice of evangelism by approaching it through contemplative spirituality. This thoroughly revised edition includes a new study guide. Praise for the First Edition Outreach Resource of the Year Award Winner "[Heath's] biographies of the mystics are inspiring, and her emphases on suffering and spiritual depth as the antidote to a prepackaged, method-obsessed, consumer-oriented evangelistic approach are refreshing."--Outreach

Longing for Spring: A New Vision for Wesleyan Community Aby Elaine A. Heath and Scott T. Kisker Delving into the widespread, contemporary longing for a more serious and communal experience of Christianity, this book provides important theoretical underpinnings and casts a vision for a new monasticism within the Wesleyan tradition. Elaine Heath and Scott Kisker call for the planting of neo-monastic churches which embody the Wesleyan vision of holiness in postmodern contexts. This book also points toward some vital shifts that are necessary in theological education in order to equip pastors to lead such communities. Longing for Spring helps Wesleyans of all stripes understand the theory and praxis necessary for planting neo-monastic communities as a new model of the church that is particularly important in the postmodern context. The authors write in an engaging, conversational style that is conversant with postmodern culture, yet thoroughly informed by critical research. Heath and Kisker boldly challenge the imagination of the church, both within and beyond Wesleyan traditions, to consider the possibility of revitalizing the church through the new monasticism.

Phoebe Palmer's honour was lost posthumously, for within a few decades after her death her name all but disappeared. Palmer's sanctification theology was separated from its apophatic spiritual moorings, even as her memory was lost. To this day the Mother of the Holiness Movement still awaits her place of recognition as a Christian mystic equal to Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, or Therese of Lisieux. This book locates Palmer's life and thought within the great Christian mystical traditions, identifying her importance within Methodism and the church universal. It also presents a Wesleyan theological framework for understanding and valuing Christian mysticism, while connecting it with the larger mystical traditions in Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox communions. While Palmer was a powerful revivalist in her own day, in many ways she could be the patron saint for contemporary Methodists who are drawn to the new monasticism and who long for the renewal of the church. Saint Phoebe is precisely the one who can help Methodists envision new forms of Christian community, mission, and witness in a postmodern world.

The Twilight saga has become one of the most successful fiction series ever written, with more than one hundred million copies in print and several blockbuster films. Despite the tremendous commercial success Twilight has generated, few readers have analyzed its theological teachings or the messages Stephenie Meyer might be sending to women and teenage girls. This book offers both a feminist critique of Twilight and a theological review of the stories' ideas about salvation, heaven and hell, power, reconciliation, resurrection, and organized religion.

Elaine Heath writes in an accessible voice, calling attention to both the "good news" of Twilight's theology and the "bad news" of its gender stereotypes and depictions of violence against women.

The book includes questions for youth and adult groups or for classroom discussions.

This accessibly written book illuminates the good news of healing and liberation the Bible offers survivors of sexual abuse. As an expert in pastoral ministry and a survivor of abuse herself, Elaine Heath handles this sensitive topic with compassion and grace. The book is illustrated with stories and insights from survivors, and each chapter ends with reflection questions and recommended activities. Previously published as We Were the Least of These, this repackaged edition includes a new contextualized introduction that explores how the book speaks into a vital cultural conversation (#MeToo).

Here is the long-awaited volume that provides both the theoretical foundations and practical guidance for developing new monastic and missional communities in contexts that are theologically progressive, racially and economically diverse, and multicultural. This book contains the wisdom and perspectives of people who live and serve in missional, new monastic communities in United Methodist and other mainline traditions, and it describes new forms of theological education that are emerging to resource a new generation of Christian leaders. Heath and Duggins challenge Methodists, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, and other Christians to reach into their own robust, mainline heritage for resources to develop small, intentional communities that practice a rigorous life of prayer, hospitality, and justice. "Missional monastic communities display the work of the Spirit in this day. This book is a thoughtful primer for the academy and church on the ongoing reformation we are experiencing. The authors offer permission and how-tos to embrace this missional energy in ecumenical community." --Shelley Wickstrom, Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Alaska Synod "In her teaching and writing, Elaine Heath has led pilgrims to thin places where the Holy Spirit pierces most, if not all, of our illusions. As denominations flatten and fragment, she and Larry Duggins have become evangelists for a 'tradition behind the tradition' and strategists for a future that is missional, monastic, and mainline. Many will find healing and hope in these pages " --Ken Carter, Bishop, United Methodist Church, Florida Elaine A. Heath is the McCreless Professor of Evangelism at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. She is also the Director of the Academy for Missional Wisdom, a non-degree program that equips clergy and laity to start and lead missional and new monastic communities, and is a program of the Missional Wisdom Foundation. She is the author of The Mystic Way of Evangelism (2008), Naked Faith: The Mystical Theology of Phoebe Palmer (2009), Longing for Spring: A New Vision for Wesleyan Communities (coauthored with Scott Kisker, 2010), We Were the Least of These: Reading the Bible with Survivors of Sexual Abuse (2011), and The Gospel According to Twilight: Women, Sex, and God (2011). Larry Duggins is Executive Pastor of Emerging Worship at White's Chapel United Methodist Church in Southlake, Texas, and is the Executive Director of the Missional Wisdom Foundation. He is the author of Simple Harmony (2012). Elaine and Larry are both ordained elders in the United Methodist Church.

Endorsements: ""This book is about these peacemakers who are light in the darkness and the salt and hope of Christ within despair. They are the living testimony that the reign of the Prince of Peace has begun Although powerless and marginalized, their witness is an astonishing departure from all forms of missionary triumphalism. They humbly carry forward the mission of Jesus, who in his resurrection proclaimed, 'As the Father has sent me, so send I you ' For all Christians who love Israel, for all who have compassion for the Palestinians, for all who are concerned for the 'all nations' of the Great Commission, this book is must reading "" --David W. Shenk, Global Consultant, Eastern Mennonite Missions ""With the Bible in our hand and a newspaper in the other it is easy for armchair preachers and teachers to pontificate as to how Christians should position themselves as they view the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, but it is something far different to become existentially involved in that situation as a missionary. Andrew Bush and his wife have done the latter, and in this book he not only tells of their experiences, but utilizing biblical studies and theologically based ethics helps the rest of us who seek justice for both Jews and Palestinians to define what we should propagate and do to live out the mandate to be agents of reconciliation."" --Tony Campolo, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Eastern University

Description: Delving into the widespread, contemporary longing for a more serious and communal experience of Christianity, this book provides important theoretical underpinnings and casts a vision for a new monasticism within the Wesleyan tradition. Elaine Heath and Scott Kisker call for the planting of neo-monastic churches which embody the Wesleyan vision of holiness in postmodern contexts. This book also points toward some vital shifts that are necessary in theological education in order to equip pastors to lead such communities. Longing for Spring helps Wesleyans of all stripes understand the theory and praxis necessary for planting neo-monastic communities as a new model of the church that is particularly important in the postmodern context. The authors write in an engaging, conversational style that is conversant with postmodern culture, yet thoroughly informed by critical research. Heath and Kisker boldly challenge the imagination of the church, both within and beyond Wesleyan traditions, to consider the possibility of revitalizing the church through the new monasticism. Endorsements: ""Welcome to the world of New Methodism, exciting evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in the church today. New Methodism comes to us with contributions from the New Monasticism, John Wesley, Jonathan Wilson-Hargrove, and an emerging generation who are leading us to a fresh appreciation of what God intends the church to be. This is a wonderful book that quickly gives the theological rationale for a reformed church and then gives practical advice on how to grow to be a new church. This is exciting "" --Will Willimon Bishop, The North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church ""Longing for Spring connects United Methodism with a historical and theological approach that is very accessible, not to mention inspirational. I read it on an airplane and people around me wondered what I was reading because the authors' writing is so delightful at times that I was laughing out loud I can't wait to make my first appointment of a clergy to a monastic community."" --Sally Dyck Resident Bishop of Minnesota, The United Methodist Church ""Elaine and Scott are the best of guides for hungry Methodists. Their description of Wesleyan renewal is inviting. Their prescription for transformation is possible. I will be using this book in my class, our neighborhood and our congregation. What a blessing "" --Amy Laura Hall Duke University About the Contributor(s): Elaine A. Heath is the McCreless Assistant Professor of Evangelism at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. She is the author of Out of the Night (2008). Scott Kisker is the James Cecil Logan Associate Professor of Evangelism and Wesley Studies at Wesley Theological Seminary, and is the author of Foundation for Revival (2007).