Methodism category: 329 books

For forty years on either side of the death of John Wesley in 1791, Thomas Coke was a key figure in the development of Methodism on both sides of the Atlantic. His surviving correspondence is the most personal evidence he has left us of a man who “wore his heart on his sleeve.” Coke's letters...

In the Methodist lexicon, 'conference' refers to a body of preachers (and later, of laity as well) that exercises legislative, judicial, and executive functions for the church or some portion thereof. 'Conference,' says Richey, defined Methodism in more than political ways: on conference hinged religious...

  Many churches are “mule churches”–strong for a generation but unable to reproduce themselves. As a mule comes from a horse and a donkey, they were the product of demographics and cultural conditions conducive for a generation of strength but did not produce many offspring in new church starts...

This book is a clean and clear account of the issues we face within United Methodism. It moves beyond the sentimental and pious to straightforward logic and historical fact. Dr. Arnold makes convincing case supporting the current United Methodist stance on same-sex practices. His gracious and thoughtful...

This small-group study is based on Steve Harper's book Five Marks of a Methodist. Six sessions provide extended reflection for adults on the five identifiers that Wesley sets forth in "The Character of a Methodist," which he published in 1742. Character: The Marks of a Methodist A Methodist...

Dr. Bangs was repeatedly advised in his latter years, by his official and other associates, that a record of his life would be important for his Church, if not for himself; and that he should not fail to leave, at his death, such notes of the momentous ecclesiastical measures in which he had shared...

The ways in which people change and grow, and learn to become good, are not only about conscious decisions to behave well, but about internal change which allows a loving and compassionate response to others. Such change can take place in psychotherapy; this book explores whether similar processes...

This booklet is a brief biography that Godbey wrote about his wife. From the introducton: Emma Durham, born November 28, 1839, in Boyle County, Kentucky; a child of Anglican paternity and Scotch maternity: her aged grandfather, John Durham a comrade of Daniel Boone, from Virginia,...

B. T. Roberts was born in a small farming community in western New York, on July 25, 1823. By the time of his death in 1893, he had made a profound impact on church and society. Roberts's writing, preaching, and ministry focused on true conversion, the disciplines of the Christian life, and holiness....

"The name of John Wesley is perhaps better known than that of any of his fellow-labourers a hundred years ago. This, however, is easily accounted for. He lived to the ripe old age of eighty-eight. For sixty-five years he was continually before the eyes of the public, and doing his Master’s work...

It is quite likely that the "Village Blacksmith" will not suit the taste of some of our friends -- he does not suit our own exactly; but he pleases a great many people, as is evident from the fact that a great many editions of his Life have been issued in Great Britain and in the United...

From the preface: Our sainted publisher, Martin Wells Knapp, three years ago felt impressed to give to the world a “Life of Charles G. Finney,” less voluminous than his “Autobiography,” less costly than Professor Wright’s “Life of Finney,” and written by one acquainted with him from...

Translated into Spanish, The Book of Discipline details the plan by which United Methodists govern themselves, and describes their understanding of what is expected of laity and clergy as we seek to be effective witnesses in the world and make disciples of Jesus Christ. As the product of more than...

The United Methodist Church has been in conflict over lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender inclusion issues since 1972. That year, in response to the gay liberation and gay rights movements, wording was added to the UMC Book of Discipline (the compilation of denominational policies and doctrines) characterizing...