Discover how a bold governance model helped a growing church transform a nation.
In Methodism and Its Methods, J. T. Crane explains the ideas behind the church’s distinctive itinerancy and leadership.
This concise history surveys the rise of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the key decisions that shaped its organization. It explains how the original plan, including the role of bishops and presiding elders, aimed to keep the gospel central while coordinating ministerial labor across vast ranges. The book also weighs proposed changes and why some leaders worry they could weaken the church’s reach and vitality.
- Learn why itinerancy and episcopacy were designed to work together for efficient evangelism.
- See how appointing power, salary structure, and local concerns influence ministry and growth.
- Understand the four main proposed modifications and Crane’s careful evaluation of their risks.
- Gain perspective on how faith, practice, and governance intersect in a living church.
Ideal for readers of church history, religious studies, and anyone curious about organizational leadership in faith communities.