Books published by Abingdon Press

The essays in this volume all share a common assumption: in order to know where you're going, you have to understand where you've been. If the spiritual and theological descendents of John Wesley are to meet the challenges of spreading scriptural holiness in an increasingly complex world, then they will need to grasp the core beliefs and values that have always guided their tradition. In this important volume, a distinguished group of interpreters of Wesleyan tradition, all of whom are John Wesley Scholars of A Fund for Theological Education, identify the central convictions and practices of the Methodist movement. Their purpose in making this identification is two-fold. First, they insist that these convictions and practices lie at the heart of what the Wesleyan/Methodist family is, and has been. Second, and more important, they claim that in these distinctive beliefs lies the future of the "people called Methodist." If renewal and growth in witness and mission is to occur, the authors argue, it will come through a reclamation and reinterpretation of such cental beliefs as salvation by grace through faith, the authority of Scripture, disciple-making within community, the vocation of Christian holiness, and the church's mission to the world.

This volume examines commitment in the context of the individual and institutional response to God's call to be God's people. "The call from God is a call to the altar, to the holy, in a simple do-able way," explains the author. "Right now we are a little like an aborted African chant in the mainline church; there is a call, but no response." Donna Schaper outlines various reasons for this disconnect between call and response, and she offers ten concrete ways of responding to the gospel through specific actions that will help persons reconnect with their commitment to be the people of God.

Seeing the Text integrates language study with theories and methods of interpretation. The purpose of the book is to help students increase their facility with the biblical languages while at the same time incorporating exegetical and literary skills and methods. The book thus not only provides a wider theoretical and methodological horizon for language study but also builds a solid, text-based foundation for further biblical studies. Because it is increasingly the case that seminarians do not have the opportunity to study both Greek and Hebrew, examples in both languages are included whenever possible to create a metalinguistic theoretical understanding. The book is, therefore, designed and suitable for both intermediate Hebrew students and intermediate Greek students. Finally, the book includes suggestions for using the computer to facilitate language learning and exegetical work in order to help students develop the skills necessary to sustain their language skills with the aid of computer software when they are no longer engaged in formal study. For further information about author Mary Schertz, click here.

Carter writes a piece which will stir the sympathies of pastors thwarted by their own efforts to emulate a congregation's successful predecessor. Within months, these pastors see little success as fatigue and burn-out set in. All Christians are graced with specific and distinctive spiritual gifts. Too often pastors forget that God has given them particular gifts for ministry. While all pastors must attend to the different tasks of congregational ministry, they need to discover those functions for which they have been particularly gifted. When they begin to make these gifts the focus of their ministry, then deep personal satisfaction and connection with others results. This book is written to help pastors overcome the false belief that if their ministry is to succeed, it must emulate that of a high-profile orator. Carter explains that when we make our distinctive gifts the center of our ministry, we lose the illusion that we are in control, and instead trust that God will complement us with others' gifts to meet the needs of God's people. Key Features: includes a "consumer guide" to spiritual gift inventories; resource lists including retreat centers, congregations, and publications. Key Benefits: Provides pastors a biblical/theological framework for understanding ministerial gifts.

In this revised edition of Ethics, McClendon infuses his claim for the priority of ethics within the theological task with a new urgency and offers a more complete explanation of how the interaction of faithful practices and gospel story give rise to a way of life that is distinctively Christian.

Belief matters! This book is written for two purposes. The first is to reminds us that what we believe does matter. The second is to explain the doctrinal standards of The United Methodist Church--matters of our belief. Intended for use by both laypersons and clergy, this book describes and exposits the four official Doctrinal Standards of The United Methodist Church. The standards will be explored in the following order: Explanatory Notes, Sermons, Articles of Religion, Confession of Faith. The book also includes a study guide, a glossary, and suggestions for further reading.

This new rule book for the 21st century helps church leaders understand how to make the transition to the megachurch culture while retaining Christian integrity.

In volume offers insight and guidance regarding this new ministerial order both to those who are called into the diaconate, and those among whom they will minister. The book begins by locating the office of deacon within the larger United Methodist understanding the ministry of all God's people and of ordained ministers. Drawing on the stories of those whom God has called and ordained to the ministry of deacon, the authors portray the crucial link between the worship of the church and service to the world that is central to the office of deacon. The book concludes with answers to common questions asked by deacons and the churches in which their ministry takes place: Who pays for insurance? What about pensions? What responsibilities do deacons have to the congregations that hire them, and what to the conferences of which they are members?

"Paul and the Galatians" explores crucial theological, ethical and ecclesiastical questions in Paul's famous epistle. Each selfcontained session includes questions for reflection. The volumes in "The Life and Letters of Paul" series are especially appropriate for those who want an in-depth study of the Pauline epistles.

The third volume of Shawchuck and Heuser's trilogy, this title will focus on the relationships and processes common to the religious congregation. The emphasis will be on the identification and maximization of effective processes within church structures. Key Features: Detailed analysis of the congregation as a network of systems and relationships; Explores four areas of potential transformation for the congregation: mission, spiritual formation, relationship with people, and structures of ministry; Comprehensive format ideal for pastors and seminary students. Key Benefits: Identifying systems and relationships within the congregation enables church leaders to be intentional and structured in their approach to change; Emphasizes the concept of the "Continuous Improvement Project," which helps leaders to understand the on-going nature of organizational transformation; Contributes to our understanding of how to design, implement, or change systems within the congregation in order to enhance the effectiveness of ministry.

"Three Months with Revelation is popular author Justo Gonzalez' study of the Book of Revelation. Eminently readable, the study uses the see-judge-act method to bring readers closer to the text and informs and challenges the daily life of the Christian. These 13 studies can be used for Sunday school, for evening Bible study, for home study meetings, for faith communities, for retreats, and for personal Bible study.

In this, the only book available that addresses the distinctive issues and character of preaching in the Hispanic congregation, the authors discuss important historical, theoretical, and methodological issues in Hispanic homiletics. Includes ten sermons.