Wesleyan Accent

Wesleyan Accent is World Methodist Evangelism’s online magazine of practical resources in the area of discipleship, evangelism, leadership and theology. Through articles, book reviews, and interviews, WME features leading and emerging voices of the Wesleyan Methodist world.

Ministry of Presence: Every Christian Can Counsel

[iframe style=”border:none” src=”//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/20437760/height/100/width//thumbnail/no/render-playlist/no/theme/custom/tdest_id/3433802/custom-color/87A93A” height=”100″ width=”100%” scrolling=”no” allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen] Dr. Aaron Perry is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Leadership at Wesley Seminary in Marion, Indiana. You can reach him at aaron.perry@indwes.edu. Find Kairos Care here  Indiana Wesleyan Podcast What I found: After Humanity  Signs amid the Rubble  We welcome your questions, comments, feedback, and suggestions: podcast@worldmethodist.org Find

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A Pastoral Posture Toward Social Media by Andy Stoddard

My undergraduate degree is in chemistry.  My desire was to be a doctor, but the Lord had other plans.  I’ve sometimes wondered, “Lord, if this was you plan, couldn’t you have led to me to an easier degree?!” But maybe God did that so I could learn one fact that I actually think about a lot: darkness doesn’t actually exist. 

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Unwanted Holiness by Elizabeth Glass-Turner

As the United States screeches with discord and distrust, the people in pulpits and in pews are exhausted. Some had loved ones piloting evacuation flights out of Kabul. Others have spent long hours working in crowded ICUs, nurses or chaplains or doctors breaking down in tears. Firefighters on the West Coast have their pick of blazes incinerating once-lively trees to

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When There’s a Knock at the Door: Zacchaeus in Community

Knock knock. If it’s a joke, you know what to say: “Who’s there?” But knock knock means something different to different people. Throughout my childhood, when I heard a knock knock on the back door, I could guess the knocker within three guesses. If the knock knock was rapped on the front door, all bets were off. I had no

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Centered on Christ by Kim Reisman

Scripture Focus: I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.” Ephesians 3:16-17   An important part

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Saints Alive! A Conversation with Maxie Dunnam

This summer, Dr. Maxie Dunnam released a new devotional resource he developed while at home during the initial wave of coronavirus shutdowns. Saints Alive! 30 Days of Pilgrimage with the Saints is a rich, month-long set of readings; daily reflections aren’t just inspired by those who have come before; they have the tone of being in dialogue with these spiritual giants. Dunnam

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Integrative Approaches to Mental Health and Evangelism

[iframe style=”border:none” src=”//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/20300828/height/100/width//thumbnail/no/render-playlist/no/theme/custom/tdest_id/3433802/custom-color/87A93A” height=”100″ width=”100%” scrolling=”no” allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen] Dr. Pete Bellini is the Professor of Evangelization AT United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He can be reached at pbellini@united.edu. To find his books, HERE We welcome your questions, comments, feedback, and suggestions: podcast@worldmethodist.org Find us on Social Media: Facebook Twitter Instagram To find Rob Haynes: @DrRobHaynes on

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Faith Acquisition Groups with Billy Abraham

[iframe style=”border:none” src=”//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/20143241/height/100/width//thumbnail/no/render-playlist/no/theme/custom/tdest_id/3433802/custom-color/87A93A” height=”100″ width=”100%” scrolling=”no” allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen] Dr. Billy Abraham appears as a part of WME’s evangelism seminar in partnership with the Moscow Seminary of The United Methodist Church. To access all of Billy’s teaching and the entire catalog of videos, here To learn more about International Seminars, here We welcome your questions, comments, feedback, and

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Online Evangelism in Wesleyan Groups

[iframe style=”border:none” src=”//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/19983938/height/100/width//thumbnail/no/render-playlist/no/theme/custom/tdest_id/3433802/custom-color/87A93A” height=”100″ width=”100%” scrolling=”no” allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen] Dr. Kevin Watson appears as a part of WME’s evangelism seminar in partnership with the Moscow Seminary of The United Methodist Church To access all of Kevin’s teaching and the entire catalog of videos, visit here To learn more about International Seminars, visit: here For Kevin’s latest book, Perfect

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Where the People Are by Rob Haynes

Many people want to impact their world for the sake of God’s mission but are unsure where to begin, especially when today’s churches face unprecedented challenges. Church participation has shifted dramatically in the last year and, when looking at empty pews, many faithful church-goers are asking: “When will people come back?” As the effects of the Pandemic continue to manifest

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Rev. Dr. H. Eddie Fox, World Director Emeritus

Well Done Good and Faithful Servant Thank you to all in the worldwide Wesleyan Methodist family and beyond who have expressed their love and care in response to the passing of Rev. Dr. H. Eddie Fox, World Director Emeritus of World Methodist Evangelism (WME). We received this sad news only yesterday, and expressions of comfort and support began flowing immediately.

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How is Technology shaping Evangelism and Discipleship?

[iframe style=”border:none” src=”//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/19802351/height/100/width//thumbnail/no/render-playlist/no/theme/custom/tdest_id/3433802/custom-color/87A93A” height=”100″ width=”100%” scrolling=”no” allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen] John Dyer (Ph.D., Durham University) is Dean of Enrollment Services and Distance Education; Assistant Professor of Theological Studies at Dallas Theology Seminary. To reach Dr. John Dyer: www.j.hn What I found: www.Prayermate.net When I pray, what does God do? By David Wilkinson. You can find it here: We welcome

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Staring At The Sky: Living After The Ascension by Brian Yeich

I have always been fascinated by two particular verses in the first chapter of the book of Acts. In Acts 1:10-11 (NLT) we read, “As they were straining their eyes to see him, two white-robed men suddenly stood there among them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring at the sky? Jesus has been taken away

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Unexpectedly: The Holy Spirit around the Globe by Maxie Dunnam

I received what was called a local preacher’s license in 1952, when I was only 17 years old. That means I have been at this business of preaching for 68 years. I have been the pastor of nine local churches and the organizing pastor of three of those nine. You may wonder why I’m sharing that…and you may consider it

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Maxie Dunnam: A Legacy of Faith, Part 2 WME’s 50th Anniversary Spotlight

[iframe style=”border:none” src=”//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/19650143/height/100/width//thumbnail/no/render-playlist/no/theme/custom/tdest_id/3433802/custom-color/87A93A” height=”100″ width=”100%” scrolling=”no” allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen] Maxie Dunnam is a pastor, writer, and mentor to young clergy. He has over 60 years in ministry which allows him to share many unique stories. Maxie and wife, Jerry, an accomplished artist, have 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Kimberly Dunnam Reisman is the Executive Director of World Methodist

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Maxie Dunnam: A Legacy of Faith, Part 1 WME’s 50th Anniversary Spotlight

[iframe style=”border:none” src=”//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/19548203/height/100/width//thumbnail/no/render-playlist/no/theme/custom/tdest_id/3433802/custom-color/87A93A” height=”100″ width=”100%” scrolling=”no” allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen] Maxie Dunnam is a pastor, writer, and mentor to young clergy. He has over 60 years in ministry which allows him to share many unique stories. Maxie and wife, Jerry, an accomplished artist, have 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Kimberly Dunnam Reisman is the Executive Director of World Methodist

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Kingdom People by Kim Reisman

Scripture Focus: God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. God blesses

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Living in the In-Between by Rob Haynes

Our twenty-year-old son, Joshua recently secured his first apartment. He had been living in the university dormitories, but he was now excited to have a place of his own. My wife and I packed up his things with him and drove them 6 hours to his new place. When we (and all of his worldly possessions) got there, we hit

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When Simplicity Is Difficult by Jeff Rudy

Simplicity isn’t easy. I used to think that “simple” and “easy” could always be used interchangeably, like when asked about a particular task that didn’t require a lot of physical or mental sweat, one could say, “it was simple” or “it was easy” and both would mean the same thing: “No big deal!” But when it comes to what Richard

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Are You Really Free? by Michelle Bauer

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman

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Practicing Discernment: Thy Will Be Done by Justus Hunter

There are two difficulties with our prayer, “Thy will be done.” We fret over the first, but the second is far more dangerous. “What is Your will? How do I know it? Where can I find it? Is this Your will?” This is the first difficulty. The second accompanies it, and often escapes our notice. There is a forgotten moment

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Dear Millenials, I Was You Once by Elizabeth Glass Turner

Dear Millenials, I was you once. People wanted to know what I thought. They wanted to know what I wanted to buy. They wanted to hear what I was looking for in a spouse, in a career – in a faith group. They talked about me in the news, they studied me to see which way I was likely to

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Campfire Pilgrimage: The Value of Summer Camp by Rob Haynes

It is summer camp season. For thousands of children and youth that means night hikes and camp fires, arts and crafts and lake fronts. It is commonplace for churches in the United States to offer a trip to summer camp for their children or youth. It is often a highlight of the year for these ministries. Years after their experiences,

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How We Really Measure Congregational Growth by Matt Sigler

Methodists are good at counting. The numerous records that have been kept over the years of “conversions,” “probationary members,” and the like, are a goldmine for historians. This penchant for noting numbers remains in our DNA today. “How many members?” and “How many in active attendance?” are the two primary questions asked when one evaluates the strength of a local

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Methodism On Fire by Pete Bellini

It is no revelation that the United Methodist Church is facing an uncertain and problematic future.The second largest Protestant denomination in the United States is deeply divided over human sexuality and as a result it is divided over its language in the Book of Discipline (the denomination’s manual on agreed-upon life together) and is divided over decisions made by the Judicial Council, several Annual Conferences, and Boards of Ordained Ministry regarding human sexuality. In response, the Council of

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The Rest Of God by Edgar Bazan

I believe that God wants us to enjoy our everyday lives. John 10:10 says that Jesus came to us so we may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, until it overflows). But it seems that far too many people who say they believe in Jesus are not enjoying their lives. Now, it is not only

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Silencing The Shame Machine: Our Call To Craft Peace by Elizabeth Glass Turner

Recently, I heard a church leader describe the instinct to “drop Facebook napalm” in an online debate. What a great image. Our cultural currency right now isn’t the American dollar or the speculative Bitcoin: it is outrage. Outrage is addictive, and it’s so easily justified: we sanctify it with the word “prophetic” or the word “faithful.” God calls us to

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Finding Spiritual Freedom by Michelle Bauer

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…” – Isaiah 61:1 “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He

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Receiving The Value Of Sabbaticals by Andy Stoddard

I’m at just about the halfway point of renewal leave (i.e. Sabbatical). I took my first church job in 1997, and ever since then, I’ve worked in the church.  A couple of them were part-time, and then I took my first appointment at a pastor in 1999 to three small United Methodist Churches outside of Cleveland, MS.  In other words,

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One Thing God Said Was Not Good by Carolyn Moore

Over the last 75 years, researchers at Harvard have tracked the lives of 724 men.* These men were children when the study began. For 75 years, they’ve been tracking these lives to record the state of their home life, work, health, outlook. Some men in the study became rich and famous. One became President of the United States. Others fared poorly. Boiling

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John Wesley: Optimist of Grace by Kevin Watson

Henry H. Knight III’s John Wesley: Optimist of Grace is a book I would like to get into the hands of as many Wesleyan Methodist pastors and lay leaders as possible. Knight has written a remarkably accessible and concise introduction to John Wesley’s life and theology without sacrificing precision and nuance. As the subtitle suggests, the core theme of this book

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#notwithoutmychild by Elizabeth Glass Turner

Children Adrift: The Old Testament Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed

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May All Your Plans Be Successful by Edgar Bazan

There is a prayer that I recently discerned to pray: God, may all your plans for me be successful. The rationale behind this prayer is that I want to position myself and do everything that is in my power to let God fulfill his plans in my life. Notice that I did not say “my plans,” but God’s. This is

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Faith, Defeat, & Expectation by Otis T. McMillan

True faith is demonstrated with obedience: what you cannot see, God does. “And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the

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Faith from the Inside Out by Priscilla Hammond

There are seven “Woe to you” statements in Matthew 23: Jesus was warning the teachers of the law and the Pharisees not to focus on outward things. Of ten trees we had removed from our property, we knew that one was damaged. An arborist saw the spot where it had been hit by lightning. We hadn’t seen it. Other than

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Let’s Go Fishing: How to Handle Empty Nets by Kelcy Steele

After this, Jesus appeared again to the disciples, this time at the Tiberias Sea (the Sea of Galilee). This is how he did it: Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the brothers Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. Simon Peter announced, “I’m going fishing.” When the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the beach, but they didn’t

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The Troubled Savior by Aaron Perry

“Do not let your hearts be troubled” (John 14:1-31). Imagine how the disciples are feeling in this moment. Jesus has just predicted Peter’s denial and another’s betrayal: they could hardly be a happy group. How would his words have been heard? Would they have been comforting? “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Certainly more easily said than done. How

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