Book Description

“I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power.” — John Wesley, 1786 “Church renewal” is widely discussed across Methodism today, and yet such renewal will not happen apart from serious engagement with and from the margins of society. Through a series of new and previously published essays, this book looks to the experiences of Methodists in Latin American pueblos and Hispanic barrios to open new scholarly conversations about doctrine, worship, and mission for the sake of social renewal. The flames of renewal do not confine themselves to Methodism. But from the people called metodista they can spread, sharing in the Wesleyan movement’s fundamental calling to revitalize the church universal in its mission to the world. Praise for The People Called Metodista “What is the future of Methodism? Colón-Emeric offers a deep meditation on this difficult question and suggests an answer: we find its future in the margins of the church. Nashville and London must learn to sing together with Seoul, Latin America, and Africa.” —Pablo R. Andiñach, PhD, Instituto Teológico Santo Domingo “The Wesleyan tradition—as a piety, a community in mission, and a theology—took rise within and has found repeated renewal through engagement with those on the fringes of the reigning ‘powers.’ At its best, it has nurtured deep respect for its foundation in Scripture and earlier Christian witness, while cultivating openness to new understandings and expressions of ‘faith working by love.’ Colón-Emeric’s study exemplifies Wesleyanism at its best, probing the witness of Hispanic streams of Methodism for insights addressing the entire movement, much of which suffers from malaise and morbidity. Highly recommended.” —Randy L. Maddox, PhD, William Kellon Quick Emeritus Professor of Wesleyan and Methodist Studies, Duke Divinity School “In The People Called Metodista, Edgardo Colón-Emeric has mined treasures that have been hidden to many of us, particular in the North American and European expressions of Methodism. If Methodism is a renewal movement, voices speaking to us from the margins will lead us to new insight and to holy living. Through the translation of doctrine, worship and mission into a language that surfaces new accents and engages a wider community of conversation partners, Colón-Emeric has broken new ground that will hopefully enlarge our vision for who we are in the present moment.” —Ken Carter, Bishop, Florida and Western North Carolina Conferences, The United Methodist Church “The Holy Spirit, who blows wherever it wishes, continues to give life around the world. Across this book, Dr. Colón-Emeric helps us open our eyes to see and enjoy God’s new creation in and through the people called metodista. He reminds us of how the Spirit continues to create something new amid chaos. This book will renew your hope and inspire you to join God’s move!” —Eric A. Hernández López, DMin, Chair of the Board of Directors, Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico “Gratitude to God for this winsome, faithful, encouraging resource for the people of God in every place. Edgardo Colón-Emeric refreshes and deepens the powerful gospel summons to attentiveness at the margins. Let us go with him to the edge, where our strangely warmed hearts become hearts afire, corazones ardientes.” —Hope Morgan Ward, Retired Bishop, North Carolina Conference, The United Methodist Church