Good News Magazine

"When Hearts Are Right, Hands Can Join" draws its biblical foundation from 2 Kings 10:15—the same passage that shapes John Wesley’s sermon, The Catholic Spirit.

At the center of this meditation are the lives and ministries of two extraordinary leaders whose influence shaped the Wesleyan Holiness-Pentecostal movement and left a lasting mark on Christianity in America and around the world: Bishop Charles Harrison Mason, Sr., founder of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), and Dr. Aimee Semple McPherson, founder of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.

When Hearts Are Right, Hands Can Join — Firebrand Magazine "When Hearts Are Right, Hands Can Join" draws its biblical foundation from 2 Kings 10:15—the same passage that shapes John Wesley’s sermon, The Catholic Spirit . At the center of this meditation are the lives and ministries of two extraordinary leaders whose influence shaped the Wesleyan

By Jonathan A. Powers

In the long history of the Christian Church, few figures stand as tall as Saint Augustine of Hippo. Throughout his ministry Augustine proved himself to be a brilliant thinker, a prolific writer, a persistent polemicist, and a devoted pastor. Trained in philosophy and rhetoric and living in a time of cultural collapse and ecclesial crisis, Augustine managed to articulate a vision of God, humanity, and the Church that still shapes Christian thought today. He was more than a philosopher or rhetorician, though. Augustine was at heart a pastor-theologian committed to shepherding people toward the love of God, helping them navigate the complex terrain of their own hearts.

goodnewsmag.org

Great conversation on the ministry of healing with Drs. David Watson, Jessica LaGrone, and Steve Seamands.

It’s Elementary - Episode 10 - “Ministry of Healing" with Dr. Steve Seamands Dr. David Watson and Dr. Jessica LaGrone sit down with Dr. Steve Seamands, Professor Emeritus of Christian Doctrine at Asbury Theological Seminary and one of...

Maxie Dunnam: There are some experiences or encounters that are so solidly lodged in our memory they continue to invade our consciousness – to haunt us – to help us or to hinder our Christian walk, to call and challenge us to be more than we are.

John Birkbeck is a person around whom for me a whole cluster of memories is gathered – memories that invade my immediate awareness now and then. John was a Scot Presbyterian preacher. During a part of my tenure as the World Editor of The Upper Room, he was the editor of the British edition of The Upper Room. He was a marvelous preacher in the classic style of the Scot divines. (more)

Will You Finish Well? (Part 1) by Maxie Dunnam - World Methodist Evangelism Explore why personal holiness in ministry sustains leaders, overcomes discouragement, and helps you finish well. Read and renew your calling today.

https://goodnewsmag.org/wesleys-faith-decision/

Wesley’s Faith Decision | Good News Magazine John and Charles Wesley met German Pietists on their voyage as missionaries to a new colony in the Americas, Georgia. John Wesley observed the deep faith and assurance the German Moravians had when their ship encountered storms crossing the Atlantic so serious that their boat almost sank. This near-...

By Ryan Danker

Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.

I have spent the Fall in Boston and will be heading back to Washington, DC at Christmas. But my time in New England has been a godsend, particularly serving at the Church of the Advent, an historic (and faithful) parish on Beacon Hill.

One of the things that I’ve been reminded of here is the month that Charles Wesley spent in Boston in 1736. He and his brother, John, came to the American colonies the previous year, to the new colony of Georgia. It was not the easiest period for either of them. But they learned a great deal from their experiences.

After six months in Georgia, Charles travelled to Charleston, SC to board a ship for England. But the captain of the ship was drunk and ran the ship into rocks along the South Carolina coast. To make the ship seaworthy, they had to head north to Massachusetts for repairs. Charles was not impressed with the captain.

But here in Boston, he became something of a celebrity. By 1736 there were three Anglican parishes in the city, but it was still dominated by the Puritans. So having a priest from the Church of England in town encouraged the Anglicans, and raised a few eyebrows among their opponents. Wesley preached at Christ Church (famously known as “Old North”) and at King’s Chapel before heading home.

A few days ago, when I was out for a walk in the city, I ended up on State Street. It quickly dawned on me that this was originally King Street, the main thoroughfare that led from the Long Wharf up the hill to the colonial state house. The colonial state house is still here. And so is the Long Wharf. So, I was walking along the same street that Wesley did when he departed the damaged ship and entered the city.

But what struck me more than the historical walking tour is the fact that as Christians we are “surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.” And Charles Wesley is a witness. He witnessed to Christ. He preached Christ here in Boston all those years ago, and his witness lives on.

As Advent comes to an end next week, I hope that during this season of expectation that you’ve been able to sing some of his hymns. One that he wrote eight years after his time in Boston perfectly encapsulates the season, and it’s a beautiful prayer:

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.