Category Archives: Ecclesiology

Jesus and Culture

Posted on September 13, 2014 by Richard Heyduck

Yeah, I know; given the title of this post I could write just about anything. I’m only going to touch on one aspect here. Sometimes we complain about how biblical scholars give us a Jesus who looks nothing like us, … Continue reading →

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Against Separation, Part 2

Posted on May 23, 2014 by Richard Heyduck

The United Methodist Church is a large, bureaucratic institution. “Connectionalism,” is one of our highest values, “congregationalism” one of the vices we most loudly decry. These aspects of our polity mean that what happens at the top really matters. When … Continue reading →

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The Problem with Names

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Richard Heyduck

We Christians have sorted ourselves out by name, imaging that our names are of supreme importance and essential to our identity. I’m a Methodist. Our tradition got its name because John Wesley and his Christian buddies at Oxford were methodical … Continue reading →

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Poor God?

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Richard Heyduck

I’m not a proponent of the prosperity Gospel. On the contrary, most versions of it sound like heresy. I am, however, a proponent of a Philippians 4:19 Gospel: “My God shall supply all your needs through his riches in glory … Continue reading →

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Karl Barth on the Modern Marginalization of Ecclesiology

Posted on August 7, 2013 by Richard Heyduck

In Church Dogmatics IV.1 p 150, Barth writes: “It was an intolerable truncation of the Christian message when the older Protestantism steered the whole doctrine of the atonement—and with it, ultimately, the whole of theology—into the cul de sac of … Continue reading →

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Holiness: Individual & Communal

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Richard Heyduck

One of the books I’m currently reviewing is Discipleship that Transforms: An Introduction to Christian Education from a Wesleyan Holiness Perspective. As I work on the review, I’ll make some peripheral comments here that might be of wider interest. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Ecclesiology, Education, God, Holiness, John Wesley | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Epic Win!

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Richard Heyduck

Kenda Creasy Dean is our guest speaker at the Texas Annual Conference this week. Having read her books, I knew where she’d be coming from. If you have the least interest in youth ministry or leading a church that disciples … Continue reading →

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A Different Future

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

Will Willimon’s Bishop functions as a study of the episcopacy and as a spiritual autobiography. Reading it, we gain insight into the church, its leadership, and its leaders. Willimon is explicit and plain-spoken about his convictions. At one point he … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecclesiology, Local church, Ministry, United Methodism, Will Willimon | 1 Comment

The “Most Revealing Indicator…”

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

One of the claims Will Willimon makes in his book Bishop is that, “The most revealing indicator of congregational vitality is the trend in worship attendance.” Worship attendance sure is important. I remember many years ago reading a biographical blurb … Continue reading →

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Ed Stetzer’s Subversive Kingdom

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

The best thing about Ed Stetzer’s Subversive Kingdom is that it’s true. First, it’s true that Jesus has inaugurated the kingdom and that the kingdom has not yet eradicated all the competitors. Second, it’s true that the best way for … Continue reading →

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