Category Archives: Wesleyan Church

College Dreams – TWC & HBCU

One thing I really appreciate about our Wesleyan colleges and universities is that each institution has its own unique value proposition while remaining under and aligning with the values of The Wesleyan Church. A student truly has choices among the Wesleyan institutions, while remaining assured of academic excellence and Christian values. Details on what I’m talking about can be found in the Summer 2015 edition of Wesleyan Life.

So with Houghton College, Indiana Wesleyan University, Kingswood University, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, and Southern Wesleyan University all available, what more college dreams could I have? What if The Wesleyan Church, a denomination founded in the abolition of slavery, included an HBCU (Historically Black College & University)?

In 1888, Bishop James Solomon Russell, a man born into slavery,  founded St Paul College to educate the emancipated. I would hate to see that end after over 100 years, and I think it is also a unique value proposition. What do you think Wesleyan Department of Education & Clergy Development and Wesleyan Department of Multi-Ethnic Ministries?

Wesleyan District Silos?

I was surprised to learn that some people perceive, and maybe there actually are, “destination districts” in The Wesleyan Church. I had no idea such a concept existed, and perhaps that is because I am currently in one of the destination districts. I knew that I work under an effective and well-liked district superintendent, and that California is one of the states that many people dream of living in at some point in their lives, but I never considered ranking my district’s desirability above or below another district. Perhaps I am naive spending time in prayer and looking for a local church that can use my gifting. Continue reading Wesleyan District Silos?

Choices of Faith

Scot McKnight has an interesting post over at Jesus Creed on “How the Copts Pick a Pope.” I encourage you to read the article for yourself, but to sum up the process, a group of clergy and some laity get together and whittle down the candidates, who must meet certain minimum requirements, to three. The final choice is one of faith, as the name of the new pope is drawn by lot by an impartial blindfolded child. Continue reading Choices of Faith

My Big Vision for the Wesleyan Church

The Wesleyan Church is hosting a Church Leaders’ Dialogue that I have been highly encouraged to be a part. Unfortunately, I just do not have the vacation time, nor time in my school schedule, to travel to Indiana. For this particular dialogue, African-American pastors from our denomination have been invited to attend. This is one of several steps The Wesleyan Church is taking to continue to move toward a church that reflects Revelation 7:9. Continue reading My Big Vision for the Wesleyan Church