‘Reshaping the mission of Methodism’
Deacon Dr. David Clark (Editor)
Church in the Market Place
(Published March 2010)
‘Reshaping the Mission of Methodism’ describes some of the most creative initiatives in mission within Methodism today. While these pioneering endeavours are giving Methodism a new lease of life, they can also be seen as pointers to how the mission of the whole church will need to be reshaped if it is to engage with a society which often regards the church as of diminishing relevance.
In a final overview,David Clark draws out the implications of these initiatives for ‘Mapping a Way Forward’, Methodism’s nation-wide exercise in equipping itself for mission. He sets out a radically new approach to a theology of mission founded on the concept of ‘communal holiness’, and rooted in Methodism’s origins as a holiness movement. He uses the initiatives set out in the first part of the book to illustrate key aspects of a city-wide strategy for mission that is both innovative and far-reaching.
Contributors
Sean Adair (Superintendent of theRotherham and Dearne Valley Circuit); John Chambers and Eric Mustapha (Walworth Methodist Church, London); Michelle Legumi (St. Athan, South Wales); Mike Seaton (Connexional Director of Children and Youth); Judith Simms (former President of Women’s Network);Will Morrey(Faith Communities Adviser, Action for Children); Keith Albans (MHA Director of Chaplaincies and Spirituality); Neil Johnson(Birmingham City Centre Project); David Walton (former Vice-President); Rob Redpath (former President of the Methodist Youth Conference); Elizabeth Clark (Rural Officer, the York and Hull, and Leeds Districts);Helen Dixon Cameron (The Queens Foundation); Mark Bagnall (Training Officer, Northern Region); Richard Andrew (Director, York Institute for Community Theology);Jackie Fowler (President of DIAKONIA Region Africa/Europe); Peter Howdle (Chair of the Joint Implementation Commission).
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(This book) is provocative, persuasive and prophetic stuff, audaciously suggesting without a hint of triumphalism that the down-to-earth, kingdom-oriented, grass-rooted, strategically-engaged nature of a true and renewed twenty-first century Methodist movement is a treasure worth offering to a world in need.
Martyn Atkins (General Secretary of the MethodistChurch)
As an Anglican friend and collaborator with the Methodist Connexion as it engages in mission, I am delighted to commend this thought provoking collection. I am delighted by the emphasis on the ministry of the whole people of God, on communal holiness andon discipleship as a Christian, not just Methodist response to our individualised consumer society. In particular, I commend the vision of a holistic mission to our cities.
Bishop Graham Cray (Archbishops’ Missioner and Leader of the Fresh Expressions Team)
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‘Reshaping the Mission of Methodism’is available from David Clark at Hill View, Burton Close Drive, BakewellDE45 1BG
[email:
Cost £10 (post paid) [Chequesmade out to 'David Clark’]
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Book Launch and Day Conference
Tuesday 13th April 2010 (10.00 am – 4.00 pm)
CliffCollege
David Clark (Editor): ‘A new approach to a
theology and strategy for the mission of Methodism’
Sean Adair (Superintendent of the Rotherham and DearneValley Circuit): ‘The missional circuit – future perspectives’
Chair– Martyn Atkins (General Secretary of the Methodist
Church)
Cost: £16 (including lunch and refreshments)
Registration: Helen Phipps, Postgraduate Administrator, CliffCollege, Calver, HopeValley, Derbyshire S32 3XG (01246 584216).
[Cheques made out to ‘CliffCollege’]