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Leadership in the Wesleyan Spirit
The purpose of this book is simple -- to reclaim a vision for church leadership from the great spiritual awakening known as the
Wesleyan movement.
Yet the way one goes about this work, contends Lovett H. Weems, Jr.,
is anything but simple. It involves walking a tightrope between continuity and change. The task is neither to repeat the past, nor to ignore it. Rather the need is to locate the genius behind the achievements of the past from which we can learn for our day. It is to choose selectively those themes and emphases of the Wesleyan movement that can best inform the practice of ministry today, and to seek to grow into them.
In order to achieve this, Weems identifies such principles of early Wesleyanism as beginning with where people are, focusing on service, and remembering the poor. He then enumerates practices of Wesleyan leadership, such as leading from the center and the edge, living in tension, and making "connection" happen. Finally, he names the core passions of the Wesleyan knowing God, proclaiming Christ, and seeking justice.
Wesleyan movement.
Yet the way one goes about this work, contends Lovett H. Weems, Jr.,
is anything but simple. It involves walking a tightrope between continuity and change. The task is neither to repeat the past, nor to ignore it. Rather the need is to locate the genius behind the achievements of the past from which we can learn for our day. It is to choose selectively those themes and emphases of the Wesleyan movement that can best inform the practice of ministry today, and to seek to grow into them.
In order to achieve this, Weems identifies such principles of early Wesleyanism as beginning with where people are, focusing on service, and remembering the poor. He then enumerates practices of Wesleyan leadership, such as leading from the center and the edge, living in tension, and making "connection" happen. Finally, he names the core passions of the Wesleyan knowing God, proclaiming Christ, and seeking justice.
- GenresChurchNonfiction
158 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 6, 2016
As a new Christian and aspiring leader in the Wesleyan Church I found this book extremely informative. As I read about what drove John Wesley, American Methodism, and Wesleyans I felt more and more secure in my decision to follow the doctrine of the Wesleyan denomination.
Weems' explanation of different areas in the Wesleyan doctrine (and religion as a whole) opens you up to what being a church really means; what leadership in the Wesleyan vision should be.
As a child of God and messenger of His Word I feel challenged to stay true to what the message of my doctrine is, to spread the Good News across the world, regardless of any divisions or unbelief I may come across.
Weems' explanation of different areas in the Wesleyan doctrine (and religion as a whole) opens you up to what being a church really means; what leadership in the Wesleyan vision should be.
As a child of God and messenger of His Word I feel challenged to stay true to what the message of my doctrine is, to spread the Good News across the world, regardless of any divisions or unbelief I may come across.
December 11, 2014
A wonderful call to return to our Wesleyan roots, as pastorsand as leaders of Wesleyan tradition churches. Weems uses scripture and Wesley's own life to demonstrate why these values are as pertinent today, maybe even moreso, as they were in Wesley's time and in the early Methodist movement.
July 25, 2007
Yes, I'm read this for class and it was pretty darn good.
February 19, 2013
Nothing groundbreaking here - but some good reminders of what my focus as a Christian and a Methodist should be.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews