A more ambiguous word than this, the Church, is scarce to be found in the English Language. --John Wesley
With so many denominations and differing ideas about what the church is and does, arriving at a clear understanding of the church is a formidable challenge. The pastors and educators who have contributed to this book explore the meaning, purpose, and function of the church, as well as its structure. They address topics such as the kingdom of God, worship, and mission, in relation to the body of Christ, and give special attention to Wesleyan theological concerns.
This theology of the church is an accessible resource for anyone, minister or layperson, who desires a better grasp of the church. This stimulating ecclesiology is a valuable addition to any theological library.
Mark A. Maddix is professor of Christian Education and dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministries at Northwest Nazarene University. He is the author of Discovering Discipleship and Spiritual Formation: A Wesleyan Paradigm. He has published several articles in Christian Education Journal and Wesleyan Theological Journal. Mark is a frequent speaker on topics of Christian education, spiritual formation, and online education.
Diane Cunningham Leclerc, PhD, is a professor at Northwest Nazarene University, where she also serves as director of the Graduate School of Theology. She has written numerous articles and several books, including Discovering Christian Holiness: The Heart of Wesleyan-Holiness Theology and most recently co-authoring The Back Side of the Cross: An Atonement Theology for the Abused and Abandoned. Leclerc has been the lead pastor of two congregations and has been associate pastor at Nampa College Church of the Nazarene for several years. She is a past president of the Wesleyan Theological Society and a participant in the Dialogue on Race and Faith—a funded, multi-year project of racially diverse theologians and historians.
