What does it mean to be Methodist? In a series of half-hour videos from leading Methodist scholars, Justo Gonzalez leads students through an exploration of the 18th-century Wesleyan revival in England and the growth of Methodism in the United States and around the world. Supplemental videos cover in more detail the rise of Methodism in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America.
This course explains what it means to be Methodist and will benefit both lifelong Methodists and those coming to Methodism from other traditions.
Lessons Include:
- John and Charles Wesley: The Early Years – Paul Chilcote
- Methodist Beginnings: 1725-1737 – Amy Oden
- Aldersgate and Its Results: 1738 – Steve Rankin
- Methodist History: 1739-1744 – Henry Knight
- Early Methodist Revival: 1740-1760 –Hoo-Jung Lee
- Methodism in Britain: 1760-1791 – Peter Forsaith
- The Legacy of Charles Wesley – S. T. Kimbrough
- American Methodism: 1740s-1860s – Douglas M. Strong
- African Methodism in Early America – Dennis C. Dickerson
- The Holiness Movement and Missions – Steven O’Malley
- Global Methodism – Robert Hunt
- Methodism and Social Holiness – Wendy Deichmann Edwards
2.0 CEUs are available.
Quick Info:
Number of weeks: 8
Price: $100
CEUs: 2.0
Required books: No
Blackboard: Yes
Zoom: No
Certification or Series: Yes (Wesley Academy for Advanced Christian Studies)
Read course description for details.
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Price: $100
Photo by Fran Walsh, United Methodist Communications
Past Students Said…
“While this is not my first course on Methodist Heritage, it is certainly the most in depth. I really enjoyed seeing the link between the theology of both Charles and John Wesley and the development of Methodism after their deaths. I appreciated Pamela’s feedback and her efforts to engage us in class wide discussions. It did cause me to go beyond some of the basic material provided thus enhancing the experience. As compared to other coursed on Methodist History, I think one strength is its length. That provides more time to go cover more issues (and history) to get a better understanding of our roots.” – Kirk Reid
“Our discussion helped me see things from different perspectives and helped me break out of what might sometimes be rigid thinking on my part.”
“In order to “tell our story” as Methodists, we need to be well grounded in knowledge of our heritage. This course certainly helped with that.”
“The insights presented in the videos were entertaining & informative. The additional reading materials were also informative (I plan to hang on to some of them).”
“The instructor was very amiable, easy to reach, and very understanding. You could tell from the assignments that she put a lot of thought into them and that she enjoys facilitating the course.”
“Please keep offering this. I believe it’s essential for all Methodists to know this history and information.”
About the Instructor
Rev. Dr. Kristen Burkhart has been a pastor in the United Methodist Church since 2006 and currently serves Dandridge (Tennessee) First UMC. Kristen received her Master of Divinity from Southern Methodist University and her doctorate from Wesley Theological Seminary.
Kristen knows the method that guided John Wesley guided her family and brought two different backgrounds into one concept of service and worship of Jesus Christ. “The Method we follow matters; it’s part of what binds us and the Holy Spirit’s movement,” she says. Kristen also believes ministry is not always about the major issues or measurable outcomes. “Sometimes it’s about one called person reaching out to another in a season of need and in that moment when one heart connects to another’s we glimpse the heart of God.”
About the Program Director
Michael Beardslee began working for the Institute for Discipleship and BeADisciple in early 2016, developing and facilitating courses for the new Wesley Lay Academy. This was a natural transition for him: He had been the Institute for Discipleship’s Visiting Scholar Southwestern College, then continued the work he began with BeADisciple.
Michael is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Fuller Theological Seminary (intercultural studies), working under Pentecostal theologian Amos Yong. His doctoral research concerns the way Christians from different cultural locations relate to one another in a globalized Christianity. His writing was featured most recently in “Breaking the Marriage Idol: Reconstructing Our Cultural and Spiritual Norms” (IVP, 2018), and in the Religion and Theology Journal (Brill, 2017).
In additional to his doctoral studies Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in religion and philosophy from Friends University, an M.A. from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and a Th.M. in systematic theology from Trinity International University.
