There’s a rising spiritual openness and hunger in our world.
Do you feel it? Have you seen it?
2023
January — Introduction
February — Faith in the Holy Trinity
March — The Father
April — The Son of God
May — The Holy Spirit
June — The Sufficiency and Full Authority of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation
July — God’s Purpose for Humanity
August — Personal Choice; Sin: Original, Willful & Involuntary; Sin After Regeneration
September — Repentance and Faith
October — The Atonement
November — Justification, Regeneration and Adoption
December — Sanctification: Initial, Progressive, Entire
Evidence of it keeps popping up as God's Holy Spirit is pouring out. People everywhere are longing for God and seeking a deeper understanding of Christian faith. This eager seeking is an incredible opportunity for believers, and specifically Wesleyans, to prayerfully step in and close the gospel gap.
The Wesleyan Church’s (TWC) Articles of Religion (AoR) are core to who we are, and how we live and serve. Prominently positioned in Part 1 of “The Discipline of The Wesleyan Church 2022,” included within The Constitution of the North American General Conference, the Articles of Religion are, in part, “… for the advancement of God’s Kingdom among all people …"1
A new AoR series, designed to further unpack for Wesleyans each Article of Religion, provides discipleship moments by introducing, or for some re-introducing, the basic tenets of Christian faith as well as these beliefs and doctrines of TWC.
“Understanding Christian faith more fully benefits us individually as we seek God, desiring to learn to love him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength,” said General Superintendent Dr. Wayne Schmidt. “Increasing clarity in how we conceptualize our common beliefs also has the collective benefit of uniting us in our Christian faith.”
Theologians from across TWC, who celebrate and embrace the Articles of Religion, have joined together to share their knowledge and gifts with us. These ministers have volunteered their time and labor, providing their unique perspectives shaped by varying ministry, cultural and missional experiences. Many chose their article topic due to a particular theological passion, or correlating research and scholarly work. We benefit from their sharp minds, warm hearts and are grateful for their contribution.
Each AoR video and accompanying article will be available in Spanish and English.
“Understanding Christian faith more fully benefits us individually as we seek God, desiring to learn to love him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength,”
General Superintendent Dr. Wayne SchmidtAuthors:
Yamil Acevedo, director of theological programs in Spanish, Wesley Seminary.
Tom Armiger, General Superintendent Emeritus, TWC.
Clarence (Bud) Bence, retired minister, college teacher, writer and speaker.
Bob Black, professor emeritus of Religion, Southern Wesleyan University.
Colleen Derr, president of Wesley Seminary.
2024
January — The Church
February — The Gifts of the Spirit
March — The Sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
April — Good Works
May — Marriage and Family
June — The Second Coming of Christ; The Resurrection of the Dead
July — The Judgement of All Persons; Destiny
Patrick Eby, professor of historical theology and Wesley studies, and director of the Doctor of Ministry program, Wesley Seminary.
Richard Eckley, emeritus professor of theology, Houghton University.
David Holdren, retired minister and author who served as an assistant district superintendent, interim district superintendent, executive editor of curriculum and leadership development at TWC headquarters and General Superintendent of TWC, 2000-2005.
Steve Lennox, president of Kingswood University.
Ron McClung, retired minister who also served as a district superintendent and assistant general secretary, TWC.
Aaron Perry, associate professor of Pastoral Theology and Leadership, Wesley Seminary.
Daniel Rife, director of liturgy and formation, College Wesleyan Church, Marion, Indiana.
Belinda Selfridge, district administrator for the Tri-State District, local outreach pastor at First Wesleyan, Bartlesville, and adjunct professor, Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
Wayne Schmidt, General Superintendent, TWC.
Devon Smith, district superintendent of the Tri-State District, TWC.
Chase Rashad, lead pastor of Unison Christian Church, regional board member for the Great Lakes Region and TWC General Board member.
Jerome Van Kuiken, professor in the School of Ministry and Christian Thought, Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
Mark Wilson,associate professor of Christian Ministry and the Religion Department coordinator, Southern Wesleyan University, and author who serves as the evangelism catalyst for TWC and as the South Carolina district ambassador.
Editors
Angela Alvarado, Communication and Administration Division, TWC
Chris Bounds, Indiana Wesleyan University
Josh McNall, Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Jonathan Morgan, Indiana Wesleyan University
Mike Tapper, Southern Wesleyan University
Jerome Van Kuiken, Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Janelle Vernon, general secretary, TWC
Translators and editors
Yamil Acevedo, Wesley Seminary
Johanna Rugh, executive director of Education and Clergy Development, TWC
Kristel Shepherd, Communication and Administration Division, TWC
1. “The Discipline of The Wesleyan Church 2022,” 14.