The Next Methodism: Theological, Social, and Missional Foundations for Global Methodism

by Kenneth J. Collins, Ryan N. Danker

The Next Methodism invites readers on a journey to discover the vitality, richness, and sheer goodness of the broader Wesleyan tradition. Methodism began in England as a movement to spread scriptural holiness across the land, to reform the church, and, ultimately, to reform the nation. It was a gracious movement of the Holy Spirit guided by Scripture, the tradition of Christian witness, and the light of reason.

Methodism is now itself on the cusp of renewal and the authors of the present volume—scholars and church leaders committed to the Wesleyan message—are convinced that this renewed Wesleyan movement will emerge as unapologetically orthodox, authentically sacramental, vigorously engaged with the poor, and loving toward all people in nothing less than the holy love of Jesus Christ. The next Methodism will proclaim the good news of Christ that sets captives free in the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God the Father.

Part The Next Methodism and the Faith We Proclaim
William Abraham, Kenneth Collins, Ryan Danker, Maxie Dunnam, and Justus Hunter
Part The Next Methodism and the Bible
Bill Arnold, Eric Huffman, Jack Jackson, Matt O’Reilly, David Watson
Part Education in the Next Methodism
Joel Green, Steven Moore, Suzanne Nicholson, Stephen Rankin
Part The Next Methodism and Our Public Witness
Wendy Deichmann, L. Fitzgerald Lovett, Timothy Tennent, Mark Tooley
Part The Next Methodism as a Movement of the Holy Spirit
Madeline Henners, Scott Kisker, Jessica LaGrone and Tesia Mallory, Mike Pasquarello III, Jonathan Powers, David Thomas, Andrew Thompson
Part The Next Methodism and the Life of the Church
Mike Lowry, Warren Smith, James Thobaben, Jason Vickers, Kevin Watson, Timothy Whitaker
Part The Next Methodism as a Global Body
Peter Bellini, Young Jin Cho, Eduard Khegay, Jerry Kulah, Scott Jones

400 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2022

About the author

American theologian Kenneth J. Collins is an internationally recognized scholar in the field of Historical Theology who has an ecumenical heart and who has produced a number of works in Christian Spirituality to reach a broad and energetic following. A popular and engaging speaker, Collins has given lectures in England, South Korea, Japan, Russia, Estonia, Costa Rica, Australia and elsewhere. Some of his works have been translated into Russian, Portuguese, Korean, Estonian and Chinese. He is a graduate of Princeton Seminary (Th.M.) and Drew University (Ph.D.) and has written and edited more than seventeen books and scores of articles. He currently serves as a professor of Historical Theology and Wesley Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary.

Reviews

[Richard Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Next Methodism is a collection of essays looking forward to a new Methodist denomination, the Global Methodist Church. Most of the articles sidestep this reality, and it will make their contributions less time-bound than some of the others. Only the final essay admits that the future is not as sure as many purport. There may not be a formal separation in the United Methodist Church (UMC). The Global Methodist Church may not be a viable entity or alternative for the traditionalists in the UMC.

Most of the essays are exceptional. Scott Kisker and Joel Green’s are two good examples. The book lays out a needed argument that the division in the UMC is more profound than a disagreement over human sexuality. It casts a vision for a Holy Spirit-led movement that is thoroughly orthodox in its doctrine and missional in its action.

Some of the organization of the essays is questionable. For example, the writing on evangelism is in the Bible section, but the article on reading the Bible is not there. Oddities like that detract from the overall reading experience but ultimately not from the book's value.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Wesleyan theology professor recommended this book to me in the wake of a conversation where I expressed my own concerns about the weakness of Methodist identity I was perceiving within my own branch of the Holiness church family tree. In reading this book, I was challenged and convicted by the lengths to which some of my brothers and sisters in the Wesleyan way are being called to re-examine and re-deploy mission along the framework of "doctrine, spirit, and discipline." In some senses, it was an anatomy of where the church has gone wrong, as well as a vibrant imagination of where the church of Jesus Christ built on a Wesleyan framework has in the past, and can again, go right. This book is a must read for anyone in a Methodist tradition who is feeling the heart for a return of the Holy Spirit, 'scriptural holiness', and rigorous discipleship to the beating heart of our movements. I can only hope that my own denomination can take head of the warnings and wonders elucidated in this comprehensive manifesto.