Leadership in the Wesleyan Spirit [Paperback]

Lovett H. Weems Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1999

The purpose of this book is simple -- to reclaim a vision for church leadership from the great spiritual awakening known as the Wesleyan movement. Yet the way one goes about this work, contends Lovett H. Weems, Jr., is anything but simple. It involves walking a tightrope between continuity and change. The task is neither to repeat the past, nor to ignore it. Rather the need is to locate the genius behind the achievements of the past from which we can learn for our day. It is to choose selectively those themes and emphases of the Wesleyan movement that can best inform the practice of ministry today, and to seek to grow into them. In order to achieve this, Weems identifies such principles of early Wesleyanism as beginning with where people are, focusing on service, and remembering the poor. He then enumerates practices of Wesleyan leadership, such as leading from the center and the edge, living in tension, and making "connection" happen. Finally, he names the core passions of the Wesleyan spirit: knowing God, proclaiming Christ, and seeking justice.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., is distinguished professor of church leadership and director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. He came to this position in 2003 after eighteen years as president of Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri. Previously he was a local church pastor in Mississippi for many years.

A native of Mississippi, Dr. Weems is a graduate of Millsaps College; Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University; and Wesley Theological Seminary. He holds honorary degrees from Baker University and Central Methodist University.

His years in local church ministry in Mississippi were marked by emphasis on both evangelism and social concerns. His work in Mississippi led the distinguished Mississippi writer Willie Morris to describe him as "one of the persons who added much to the growing civility of Mississippi."

He has been a clergy delegate to several General and Jurisdictional Conferences.

The author of several books published by Abingdon Press, his most recent include Bearing Fruit: Ministry with Real Results (with Tom Berlin) and a revised edition of his classic Church Leadership: Vision, Team, Culture, and Integrity, described by Professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter of Harvard Business School as "an invaluable guide to leadership in the church." His book Take the Next Step: Leading Lasting Change in the Church is used by churches seeking revitalization. His books Leadership in the Wesleyan Spirit and John Wesley's Message Todayare used widely by United Methodist laity and clergy. He co-edits the online newsletter,Leading Ideas, available free at www.churchleadership.com. 

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0687046920
• ISBN-13: 978-0687046928
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #411,743 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., was born and grew up in Mississippi where he was a United Methodist pastor for many years. His work in Mississippi led the late Willie Morris to describe him as "one of the persons who added much to the growing civility of Mississippi." After eighteen years as a seminary president at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, he became distinguished professor of church leadership and the founding director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. He co-edits an online newsletter for congregational leaders available free at the at the Lewis Center's website at churchleadership.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an author ahead of his time, July 31, 2000

By 

Greg Gates (Upland, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leadership in the Wesleyan Spirit (Paperback)

I found Dr. Weems explanation of Wesleyan leadership incredibly on target for the needs this century is bringing us.

I was inspired and given a huge helping of food for thought. Ideas that I have never encountered in any other leadership or Wesleyan books. Plus its a fantastic source of interesting and powerful stories and illustrations.

Dr. Weems might be a leadership genius for our generation. One dissappointment I had was that he did get bogged down in an academic catch 22. But that was only once.

I strongly recommend this book for all leaders, secular and nonprofit organizations.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars uncommonly good, November 17, 2000

By 

J. Johnson "Allman Brothers obsessive" (Manassas, VA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leadership in the Wesleyan Spirit (Paperback)

Lovett Weems has written a helpful book for leaders who have become frustrated with the authoritarian models of some traditional religious/business writers and/orthose who have become frustrated with the mantra of "if we just go back to...then it will be all right." One might suspect the later from the title of this book, but that is far from his approach. Weems shows that leadership in the Wesleyan spirit is not rote aplication of Wesleys writings and work to conemporary situations. He posits a hermeneutic move whereby we apply the broad general principles of the Wesleyan movement in the context of contemporary society. Generally useful to students of both leadership and Wesley studies. Highly reccomend

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leadership in the Wesleyan Spirit, August 18, 2006

By 

Laura E. Burnett "Laura Burnett" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leadership in the Wesleyan Spirit (Paperback)

Service was timely and good. Book was in excellent condition. The transaction was very good. I would use this seller again.