Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Community

John Wesley’s “Plain, Old Christianity,” or “The Marks of a True Methodist”

September 4, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

I recently posted on John Wesley’s “Basic Christianity,” looking at the rock-bottom standards he insisted on for members of the early Methodist movement. True enough, Wesley’s baseline was to avoid obvious sin, do a lot of good, and practice basic Christian spiritual disciplines. However, Wesley was very clear that toeing the mark on these things […]

Filed Under: Community, Wesley Tagged With: Holiness, Ideals, John Wesley, Methodism

John Wesley’s Basic Christianity, or, How Does a Methodist Stay a Methodist?

August 20, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 18 Comments

I’m at the plate. The ball whizzes by, right at elbow height. That’s one. The second pitch goes the same way. That’s two. I swing at the third, but I don’t know if the “whoosh” of the ball or the “whoosh” of the bat is clearer in my ears. “You’re outta there!” Baseball has clear […]

Filed Under: Community, Theology, Wesley Tagged With: community, John Wesley, Methodism, Norms

Book Giveaway

August 1, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 4 Comments

I’m giving away a copy of my book, Kneeling with Giants: Learning to Pray with History’s Best Teachers (InterVarsity, 2012) to a randomly selected new subscriber to my blog! It will go to one of the first 25 subscribing, with the count starting from Wednesday’s post where I first announced it. As of Saturday evening 22 […]

Filed Under: Community, Heidelberg Catechism, Prayer Tagged With: Book Giveaway

John Wesley’s OTHER Secret to Building Community

July 29, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 6 Comments

Once upon a time there was a kite.  It had a wonderful time when a certain little kid would take it to the park. It caught the wind and soared high. It loved to be close to the clouds — but it longed to fly higher. “This kid is holding me back. I could go […]

Filed Under: Community, Theology, Wesley Tagged With: community, Methodism, theology

John Wesley’s Secret for Building Community

July 25, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 5 Comments

In 1748 John Wesley tried to explain the amazing growth of his Methodist movement. He had created a remarkably effective model of small group community, and they were growing fast.  What was the secret? The whole thing took them by surprise, he said. “…they had no previous design or plan at all; but everything arose […]

Filed Under: Community, Wesley Tagged With: community, Innovation, John Wesley, Methodism, Nimble Organizations, Small groups

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Theology. It’s good for you.

I'm a Church historian by trade. My writing, speaking, and teaching explores the Christian past to equip today's disciples. Join me here for regular posts on the best of theology, spirituality, community, and ministry. read more…

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