Where's that new Wesleyan Icon?

[MrJim]

http://www.christianforums.com/t3323024-wesleyan-icon-added.html

I thought I'd lurk around to see it but I can't find it anywhere. Any Weslyans want to show if off to the curious?

[David_The_Disciple]

http://www.christianforums.com/t3323024-wesleyan-icon-added.html

I thought I'd lurk around to see it but I can't find it anywhere. Any Weslyans want to show if off to the curious?

i think this is it. i am not 100% sure if it is. http://www3.christianforums.com/images/userinfo/Methodist.gif

[Morgaine1205]

This is the new Wesleyan icon = http://www3.christianforums.com/images/userinfo/Wesleyan.gif

[MrJim]

This is the new Wesleyan icon = http://www3.christianforums.com/images/userinfo/Wesleyan.gif

What is it? Is there an official "Wesleyan" denom? Guess I figured methodist and nazarene covered everything.

[David_The_Disciple]

What is it? Is there an official "Wesleyan" denom? Guess I figured methodist and nazarene covered everything.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesleyan_Church

[MrJim]

http://www.wesleyan.org/ME2/Default.asp

Ah I see it's actually the Wesleyan church symbol.

What specifics set the Wesleyans apart from the Methodist & Nazarenes?

[Morgaine1205]

Here is some information from the website (http://www.wesleyan.org):


The Wesleyan Church is an evangelical, Protestant denomination. We offer the good news that faith in Jesus Christ makes possible a wonderful personal relationship with God, a holy life empowered by His Spirit for witness and service, and assurance of eternal life in heaven. Our ministries emphasize practical Bible teaching, uplifting worship and special programs to meet a variety of life needs.
With World Headquarters in Fishers, Indiana, The Wesleyan Church has nearly 400,000 constituents in 5,000 churches and missions in 80 countries of the world. Formed in 1968 resulting from the mergers between several like-minded groups, dating back as far as 1843, The Wesleyan Church has its roots in John Wesley’s Methodism.


BIBLICAL AUTHORITY: The Bible is the highest source of written authority for God’s plan for His people; it reveals how to live out that plan, individually and corporately. Beliefs, practices and priorities are to be anchored in clear biblical teachings.
CHRISTLIKENESS: Jesus Christ is the defining feature of God’s will for all humankind. In Christ is found the highest and most practical meaning and clearest example for holy living or godliness. Christ is both example and strength as Wesleyans pursue integrity, excellence, faith, hope and love.
DISCIPLE-MAKING: Making disciples is a clear mandate from Christ. This requires a strong focus on evangelism and training in spiritual growth and holy living. Done effectively, this will produce and promote growth and health in and among the churches.
LOCAL CHURCH CENTERED: The denomination exists to serve local congregations. Local churches are the most fundamental and strategic points of evangelism and discipleship. The challenge of the denomination is to keep finding the best ways to serve and strengthen congregations.
SERVANT LEADERSHIP: Wesleyans respect leadership that is placed over them, while realizing that the authority and effectiveness of spiritual leadership is not primarily bestowed, but earned and manifested by a loving and willing heart of obedience that serves God and mankind gladly. Wesleyans desire to be leaders in serving.
UNITY IN DIVERSITY: There is intrinsic value in every person. Unity becomes all the more important and beautiful in light of the wide ranges of difference in personality, culture, race, talents, and perspectives. Loving each other eliminates devaluation and deprivation of life to one another.
CULTURAL RELEVANCE: Wesleyans are called to keep serving the present age. The Church respects and builds on its past without becoming its slave. Wesleyans are "culture informed" for the sake of reaching people for Christ, but not "culture captives," in the sense of surrendering core values, beliefs and behaviors.

[vicarius]

menno
What is it? Is there an official "Wesleyan" denom? Guess I figured methodist and nazarene covered everything.



menno
What specifics set the Wesleyans apart from the Methodist & Nazarenes?


The Wesleyan Church is one of four "Wesleyan Holiness" denominations. The other three are The Church of the Nazarene, Free Methodist and Salvation Army, the Church of the Nazarene being the largest of the four. If I am not mistaken, these denominations are all in full communion with each other, recognizing each other's ordination orders. See the "Family Tree of Religious Groups" at http://www.nazarene.org/archives/history/tree.pdf (http://www.nazarene.org/archives/history/tree.pdf). I do know Nazarene pastors who have become UMC pastors, and UMC pastors who have become Nazarene. I think the main hurdle to pastors changing between the two denominations in those cases is a couple classes in church government, I don't know how it works with Free Methodists, Wesleyan and Salvation Army ministers.


I know of at least one publication is a cooperative effort, "Reflecting God" is a quarterly devotional which has contributors from all four holiness denominations.


I understand that the Church of the Nazarene and the Wesleyan Church were in negotians a few years ago regarding a merger, but am not certain where those discussions stand today.


As for the difference between the UMC and the "Wesleyan Holiness" churches, I think the main difference is how we approach the doctrine of entire sanctification. Also, generally speaking, the holiness churches tend to be somewhat more conservative regarding personal lifestyle issues. I can't really say that the differences from a theological perspective are significant though. My impression is that the real differences are governmental.

[MrJim]

menno


menno


The Wesleyan Church is one of four "Wesleyan Holiness" denominations. The other three are The Church of the Nazarene, Free Methodist and Salvation Army, the Church of the Nazarene being the largest of the four. If I am not mistaken, these denominations are all in full communion with each other, recognizing each other's ordination orders. See the "Family Tree of Religious Groups" at http://www.nazarene.org/archives/history/tree.pdf (http://www.nazarene.org/archives/history/tree.pdf). I do know Nazarene pastors who have become UMC pastors, and UMC pastors who have become Nazarene. I think the main hurdle to pastors changing between the two denominations in those cases is a couple classes in church government, I don't know how it works with Free Methodists, Wesleyan and Salvation Army ministers.


I know of at least one publication is a cooperative effort, "Reflecting God" is a quarterly devotional which has contributors from all four holiness denominations.


I understand that the Church of the Nazarene and the Wesleyan Church were in negotians a few years ago regarding a merger, but am not certain where those discussions stand today.


As for the difference between the UMC and the "Wesleyan Holiness" churches, I think the main difference is how we approach the doctrine of entire sanctification. Also, generally speaking, the holiness churches tend to be somewhat more conservative regarding personal lifestyle issues. I can't really say that the differences from a theological perspective are significant though. My impression is that the real differences are governmental.

Thanks for the info.

I've always considered the Wesleyan/Methodist tradition to be closest to the anabaptists in practice (apart from the infant baptism). John Wesley would be in the top 5 historical people of all time I would like to meet.