Log in to your Account

World Mission in the Wesleyan Spirit Chronicles Influence of Wesleyan Theology on World Missions and Evangelism

In “World Mission in the Wesleyan Spirit,” to be released in September, 31 scholars and Christian leaders examine how Wesleyan theological orientation has shaped the practice of world missions. Collectively, their essays examine the past, present and future directions of world missions and provide the most comprehensive account of Wesleyan influence on world missions and evangelism published in the past 50 years.

“These essays will fill out in both broad strokes and considerable detail how a Wesleyan theological orientation shapes our practice of missions,” said Darrell L. Whiteman, co-editor and vice president of mission personnel and preparation and resident missiologist at The Mission Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping to advance the Wesleyan missionary movement throughout the world.

Woven through the fabric of these essays is John Wesley’s concept of prevenient grace, the notion that God is at work in every people group revealing something of God’s self and nature, preparing them for saving grace and eventually sanctifying grace.”

“World Mission in the Wesleyan Spirit” is one of 6,331 distinct Wesleyan publications, written in English, which detail the history of Methodism and the Wesleyan movement. According to Charles Van Engen of Fuller Theological Seminary, the book is a “veritable ‘Who’s Who’ of Wesleyan missiologists, which promises to be one of the most important books in Protestant missiology to be published during this decade.”

The essays in the book are organized into five categories --biblical, theological, historical, cultural and strategic perspectives -- and are written by “…our most outstanding missiologists, biblical and theological scholars,” said Maxie Dunnam, chancellor of Asbury Theological Seminary. The essays are written for missiologists, missionaries and lay persons seeking a greater understanding of God’s mission in the world.

Book chapters include: “World Parish to World Church: John and Charles Wesley on Home and Overseas Mission” by Andrew Walls, “Innovation and Consolidation in American Methodist History” by Dana L. Robert and “Wesley’s Small Groups as Keys to Nurturing Godliness Among Converts from Economically Poorer Backgrounds” by Ajith Fernando.

“World Mission in the Wesleyan Spirit” was commissioned by The Mission Society. The publication will commemorate the organization’s 25th anniversary and ongoing commitment to effective mission action in world evangelism.

“The Mission Society has become a global entity, responding to spiritual and material needs throughout the world,” said Gerald H. Anderson, co-editor and director emeritus of the Overseas Ministries Study Center in New Haven, Conn. “While retaining its Wesleyan ethos and heritage, The Mission Society has expanded beyond its initial United Methodist orbit. Today it is working with 14 different denominations and independent churches, and its missionaries come from many different denominational traditions.”

“World Mission in the Wesleyan Spirit” (ISBN: 978-1-57736-424-5) is published by Providence House Publishers and retails for $24.95. A discount of 20 percent is available for pre-publication orders until September 1. To order, visit www.providencehouse.com or fax order requests to 615-771-2002.

For more information on The Mission Society, or to schedule an interview with contributors and editors of “World Mission in the Wesleyan Spirit,” contact Ty Mays at tmays@inchristcommunications.com or 770.256.8710.