This We Believe Leader's Guide: The Core of Wesleyan Faith and Practice by M. Kathryn Armistead, William H. Willimon published by Abingdon Press (2010) [Paperback]
For John Wesley, the Bible is the joyfully consistent testimony of God’s never-ending grace and ever-seeking love. Likewise, studying the Bible is more than merely knowing what Scripture says; it is also about living every day as a child of God. Beginning with the Core Terms found in the NRSV version of The Wesley Study Bible, Bishop Willimon systematically lays out key Wesleyan tenets of faith so that you will have a fresh way to hear God’s voice, share in God’s grace, and become more like Jesus Christ
The Reverend Dr. William H. Willimon is Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry at the Divinity School, Duke University. He served eight years as Bishop of the North Alabama Conference of The United Methodist Church, where he led the 157,000 Methodists and 792 pastors in North Alabama. For twenty years prior to the episcopacy, he was Dean of the Chapel and Professor of Christian Ministry at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
Overall a good introduction to what makes Wesleyan theology unique. In places it was a little too evident that the author was trying very hard for tweetable “quip” phrasings that detracted in my view from the overall message.
All in all, however, it seems to align virtually identical with a practicing Catholic’s understand of Catholicism, despite referring to it as the “questionable ‘Church of Rome’”. The Wesleyan approach does seem to take important questions for granted to isolate attention so fervently on action, and no doubt appeals for that reason to believers who are bored with questions of why believe one way or another and wants to get out there and do good.
I started reading this book as part of a group study. I quit the class (after one session)because of an opportunity of service with my church. I made myself read the book and I am so glad that I did. Very thought provoking. Raised the bar for me and challenged me to be a more dedicated follower of Christ.