Meet the Methodists: An Introduction to the United Methodist Church

by Charles L. Allen

Charles L. Allen clearly and concisely explains the basic beliefs of United Methodists, showing how these beliefs affect church stewardship, education, Sunday schools, reading and publishing, social and political action, structure, and world mission. Includes a Leader's Guide.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Church

93 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1986

About the author

Charles Livingstone Allen (1913 – 2005) was an American ordained United Methodist minister.

He was the former pastor of First United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. The author of over 30 books, he was a featured columnist with the Atlanta Constitution from 1948 to 1960, and with the Houston Chronicle from 1960 to 1983.

Reviews

[Jeremy Manuel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is useful for someone interested in joining the United Methodist Church and wants to know a little more about them. For everyone else, this book may be a little disappointing.

I felt that the book was more like an extended pamphlet for the United Methodist Church. It felt like marketing and as such maybe tries to oversell the Methodist experience that may not always line up with the reality of a United Methodist church. Maybe the problem was that I read this while we were trying to find a new church and were attending a United Methodist Church that we tried to like, but just didn't really work out. The words of the book didn't necessarily match the experience we were having and left me feeling a bit disjointed.

As I said this would be useful for someone very interested in joining the United Methodist church, particularly if they found one that they loved and wanted to know more about the group as a whole. For a more historical treatment, you'd probably have to look elsewhere.

[Bearbates]

A good introduction of important figures in the church. The language is out of date. Stil a heavy emphasis on the European/American church being the salvation for the world.

[CassieHarris · Rating 4 out of 5]

It provides a good, basic understanding of Methodist Church history and polity

[Andy Hansen-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good introduction to the United Methodist Church and their beliefs and history. Well written and easy to understand.

[Darin]

This was a good book for some research I am doing.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very helpful in describing the basic beliefs and culture of the Methodist church. We were transferring from a Lutheran church, and it answered many questions.

[Curtis Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this quick book as I was attending Union University. Great intro for those that have little to no knowledge of the Methodist Church and it's movements. It was a read good read.

[Covenant Presbyterian Springfield Ohio]

Call Number: 287.6 ALL

Available.