Wesleyan Accent Archive | World Methodist Evangelism

Dennis F. Kinlaw: Naming and Showing that Mysterious Quality by Jerry Walls

Jerry Walls April 20, 2017

Unfortunately, the word holiness conjures up for many people images of repressive legalism, dour dogma, and joyless judgmentalism. Much of the holiness movement seems to have forgotten that John Wesley constantly insisted that holiness and happiness are inseparable. Indeed, one Wesley’s most memorable descriptions of God was “the fountain of happiness, sufficient for all the souls he has made.”

Dennis

Introversion In The Kingdom Of God by Carolyn Moore

Carolyn Moore April 19, 2017

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. – Psalm 139:13-14 A couple of caution signs: Introversion and extroversion are too easily over-simplified. Lumping people exclusively into one or the other camp is to miss all the nuances

What I’ve Learned Working with Refugees and Immigrants: Interview with Josh White

Josh White April 17, 2017

A Note From The Editor: Recently Wesleyan Accent was able to chat with Youth Specialist Josh White about his role in caring for unaccompanied alien children who arrive in the United States. He also operates EQ Roasters, a small fair-trade coffee roasting enterprise aimed at encouraging economic stability in nations from which many unaccompanied minors come. An avid musician, his

How Artists Do Theology: The Resurrection by Philip Tallon

Philip Tallon April 13, 2017

Piero della Francesca gets thunderingly right what so many Christians get so stunning wrong. Raised on the first day of the week – a day any faithful Jew would understand as the first day of creation – God in Christ has begun the re-creation of this world. This work of making all things new is not complete, but it has

Anxiety In Worship by Elizabeth Moyer

Elizabeth Moyer April 12, 2017

Someone living with an anxiety disorder (or any medical condition) that makes being in loud, dark areas or separated from family unendurable does not feel welcomed. This is not a commentary on the theology or religiosity of the “turn up the volume and dim the lights, no children allowed” movement. The concern here is how the Body of Christ meets

The Celtic Cross by Tammie Grimm

Tammie Grimm April 11, 2017

With its distinctive orb that surrounds the intersecting arms that form the right angles of the Latin cross, most of us recognize the shape and design of the traditional Celtic cross. No matter our level of familiarity with the prayers, traditions and other customs of the medieval Celtic Christians, the iconic artwork of the cross is no ancient relic relegated

Jesus Weeps, Our Tears to See by Jeff Rudy

Jeff Rudy April 6, 2017

These hymns, like the psalms, come from or speak to different experiences – some quite specific, others more general – and they express a wide variety of feelings toward God, ranging from thanksgiving and adoration to supplication to bitter grief. The hymn I came upon that had a reference to Jesus weeping was under the heading of “For a Child

Steps For Small Church Revitalization by Elizabeth Glass Turner

elizabeth.turner April 5, 2017

Most churches aren’t big. Most churches say they want to grow. Many pastors hope to serve at big or growing churches. Most pastors won’t. It’s simply a matter of numbers in the United States: there aren’t that many megachurches. If you happen to be the pastor of one, you can sell a lot of books to pastors who want to

On the Road: Witness in Central Asia by Kim Reisman

Kim Reisman April 5, 2017

Seminar participants are so committed to faith and evangelism. If you want to be Christian here you have to be incredibly committed.

The Work Of Our Hands: Celtic Christianity & The Way Of Wesley by Tammie Grimm

Tammie Grimm April 3, 2017

I am “old school.” I freely admit it. When it comes to writing, whether it be drafting a letter or revising a doctoral thesis (and I have done both in the last year) I would rather sit down with paper and pencil than a laptop or tablet. Turns out, studies indicate, I am not alone; there is something about the mind-body

Reckoning Before Revival by Elizabeth Glass-Turner

elizabeth.turner May 30, 2020

There is a reckoning unfolding that we would avoid if we could – unless we are one of the people who have been crying out for it, praying for it, watching the horizon for it. But the people who pray for revival and the people who pray for reckoning aren’t always the same. In the open air of summer camp

“Overwhelmed”: How Our Pastors Are Coping With The Pandemic

Wesleyan Accent May 27, 2020

A Note From The Editor: Recently I asked clergy members from several Wesleyan Methodist denominations in the United States about what it’s been like coping with a pandemic. Ministers in other parts of the world have experienced these dynamics before, and pastors a hundred years ago went through this in America. For many church leaders in the U.S., these have

A Prayer For Burning Grace: Protocols & Pentecost by Elizabeth Glass Turner

elizabeth.turner May 22, 2020

Pastors and denominational leaders face tough decisions right now. The Christian faith is inherently embodied; we gather, we meet, we celebrate the Incarnation – the Word Made Flesh. For millenia, we’ve celebrated the Eucharist, finding Christ’s presence in the tangible – wine and bread, a burning grace. The Christian faith is also inherently self-sacrificial; we mend, we serve, we search

Fishing Through The Disappointment Of Empty Nets by Edgar Bazan

Edgar Bazan May 15, 2020

It was after Easter. The disciples were told to wait for Jesus in Galilee. But did they have to wait by sitting and doing nothing? “I’m going fishing,” said Peter. And why not? It made perfect sense. Fishing was their livelihood. They may as well make some money while waiting. So they all piled into a boat and shoved off.

How to Communicate Change in Church Policy During Chaotic Times by Priscilla Hammond

Priscilla Hammond May 11, 2020

If you are you struggling to make decisions about policy and how to communicate those decisions to your church during this chaotic time, you are not alone. In this new normal of remote church, much consumes our day-to-day activities. It is difficult to plan and communicate future steps.

Take Five: Quick Wisdom Under Pressure by Michelle Bauer

Michelle Bauer May 6, 2020

Here are five daily meditations on wisdom, bite-sized and brief enough to fit between Zoom calls. Each contains a timely word of wisdom. Breathe these in during a moment of solitude, with housemates, or as a family.

No Pointing by Rob Haynes

Rob Haynes April 13, 2020

I know a man who works at a large, warehouse style home-improvement store. He shared with me a story about how to help people find what they are looking for. It seems that there is a sign in the employee break room that says: “No Pointing.” The message to the store employees is that when customers ask the location of

Practicing the Skill of Silence by Michelle Bauer

Michelle Bauer April 6, 2020

Being silent is a skill we can develop.

Chess Without The Queen by Kim Reisman

Kim Reisman April 1, 2020

Recently I discovered that a very effective way to learn the game of chess is to begin by playing without the Queen. Because the Queen is the strongest chess piece, players often lean heavily on her for their overall strategy. Learning to play without her, however, forces you to recognize the value of all the other pieces on board, and

Clearing Out the Hidden Guilt in your Soul by James Petticrew

James Petticrew March 31, 2020

The neighbours said they rarely saw the lady but when they did, she was always happy and well-presented. She kept the small garden at the front of the house neat and tidy. But it was clear from inside that it had been years since she had thrown anything out.

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