Episcopacy in the Methodist Tradition

Episcopacy in the Methodist Tradition
Author: Russell E. Richey
Publisher:
Total Pages: 156
Release: 2004
Genre: Religion
ISBN:

This book explores Methodist episcopacy in the U.S. and reviews notions of and expectations about episcopal leadership held by United Methodists today. After a careful historical study, Richey and Frank give helpful perspectives on a current proposal to the 2004 General Conference by the Council of Bishops to elect a bishop who will serve a four-year term as the Council's president. More generally and for the longer term, this book examines the need for organizational change and theological reflection on the office of bishop, while reviewing the implications of such reorganization of the Council of Bishops including the election process. By examining what Methodists have meant by the words "itinerant general superintendent," the authors discuss the polity of the Church and explore the constraints, concern, and possibilities for episcopal leadership.

American Saint

American Saint
Author: John Wigger
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 559
Release: 2009-10-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0199741255

English-born Francis Asbury was one of the most important religious leaders in American history. Asbury single-handedly guided the creation of the American Methodist church, which became the largest Protestant denomination in nineteenth-century America, and laid the foundation of the Holiness and Pentecostal movements that flourish today. John Wigger has written the definitive biography of Asbury and, by extension, a revealing interpretation of the early years of the Methodist movement in America. Asbury emerges here as not merely an influential religious leader, but a fascinating character, who lived an extraordinary life. His cultural sensitivity was matched only by his ability to organize. His life of prayer and voluntary poverty were legendary, as was his generosity to the poor. He had a remarkable ability to connect with ordinary people, and he met with thousands of them as he crisscrossed the nation, riding more than one hundred and thirty thousand miles between his arrival in America in 1771 and his death in 1816. Indeed Wigger notes that Asbury was more recognized face-to-face than any other American of his day, including Thomas Jefferson and George Washington.

Historical Dictionary of Methodism

Historical Dictionary of Methodism
Author: Charles Yrigoyen Jr.
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
Total Pages: 475
Release: 2005-03-16
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0810865467

In 2003, Methodists celebrated the 300th anniversary of the birth of their founder, John Wesley. Today, there are more than 300 Methodist denominations in 140 nations. Covering the activities of this group that plays an important role in the ecumenical movement through its many social and charitable activities in world affairs, this book offers more than 400 entries that describe important events, doctrines, and the church founders, leaders, and other prominent figures who have made notable contributions. It also includes: a list of commonly used acronyms, chronology of historical events, introductory essay on the history of Methodism, 15-page black-and-white photo spread, bibliography, listing of important libraries and depositories of Methodist materials. The impressive list of contributors includes more than 60 specialists who are academics, administrators, pastors, and theologians.

The Ashgate Research Companion to World Methodism

The Ashgate Research Companion to World Methodism
Author: William Gibson
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 550
Release: 2016-03-23
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1317040996

As a religious and social phenomenon Methodism engages with a number of disciplines including history, sociology, gender studies and theology. Methodist energy and vitality have intrigued, and continue to fascinate scholars. This Companion brings together a team of respected international scholars writing on key themes in World Methodism to produce an authoritative and state-of-the-art review of current scholarship, mapping the territory for future research. Leading scholars examine a range of themes including: the origins and genesis of Methodism; the role and significance of John Wesley; Methodism’s emergence within the international and transatlantic evangelical revival of the Eighteenth-Century; the evolution and growth of Methodism as a separate denomination in Britain; its expansion and influence in the early years of the United States of America; Methodists’ roles in a range of philanthropic and social movements including the abolition of slavery, education and temperance; the character of Methodism as both conservative and radical; its growth in other cultures and societies; the role of women as leaders in Methodism, both acknowledged and resisted; the worldwide spread of Methodism and its enculturation in America, Asia and Africa; the development of distinctive Methodist theologies in the last three centuries; its role as a progenitor of the Holiness and Pentecostal movements, and the engagement of Methodists with other denominations and faiths across the world. This major companion presents an invaluable resource for scholars worldwide; particularly those in the UK, North America, Asia and Latin America.

The Cambridge Companion to American Methodism

The Cambridge Companion to American Methodism
Author: Jason E. Vickers
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 411
Release: 2013-10-07
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1107008344

A comprehensive introduction to various forms of American Methodism, exploring the beliefs and practices around which the lives of these churches have revolved.