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Description

People who previewed this book said, "Whether you are clergy or laity, this book could change your life, your ministry and your church."  They also said the book:

• Draws a blueprint for restoration of The United Methodist Church
• Catches the Spirit of early Methodism
• Anchors deep in Wesleyan theology and practice
• Offers solutions that will really work if implemented
• Sparks the renewal of congregations

Use this study with your congregation, clergy covenant group, or use this study as a conference leader or Bishop.

James B. Scott and Molly Davis Scott:
The Scotts are pastors, missionaries, adjunct seminary professors, authors, and Elders in the Arkansas Conference of The United Methodist Church.

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What Leaders Are Saying About
RESTORING METHODISM...

This is a great manuscript. Every United Methodist, clergy and laity, needs to get their hands on this book and read it from cover to cover. This is not just one more book on renewal; it is an earthy, eye-opening text that provides real hope for the future. The Scotts have done their homework; they have a vision that is rooted in history; and they offer solutions that will really work if implemented. The material is beautifully organized; the style is accessible; and the suggestions for the future are on target. Above all, they have caught the Spirit of early Methodism in a manner that is contagious and nourishing.

Dr. William J. Abraham, Albert Cook Outler Professor of Wesley Studies, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, The United Methodist Church

In a stuffy world of theories and philosophies about The United Methodist Church’s maladies, Jim and Molly Davis Scott’s book is a welcome breath of fresh air! Finally, someone is offering an honest appraisal of the issues at hand and a practical blueprint for solving them. If there is a way back to denominational health that leads to renewed Kingdom effectiveness, surely this is it! I heartily recommend this book to all who earnestly desire for The United Methodist Church to reclaim the passion and practice that placed the early Methodist movement at the front edge of Kingdom advancement.

Dr. Bryan D. Collier, Founding and Lead Pastor, The Orchard: A United Methodist Congregation, Mississippi

In a sometimes disturbing, occasionally provocative, always accessible, and fundamentally hope-filled book, the Scotts have charted a blueprint for restoration of the United Methodist Church. They do so by anchoring deep in the bedrock of Wesleyan theology and historic Methodist practice. Their challenging blueprint is not some impossible dream or utopian scheme. We can do this, and we should!  Read this book!

Bishop Charles N. Crutchfield, Arkansas Conference, The United Methodist Church

In Restoring Methodism, Jim and Molly Scott have called the United Methodist Church to reclaim her message and faith. Drawing from Scripture, the writings of John Wesley, and the work of important Methodist pastors and theologians of the past, the Scotts seek to remind the reader of important theological and practical distinctives of Methodists and to encourage the church to reclaim these for today. Those who hope to see Methodism restored will find this book a valuable contribution to their work

Adam Hamilton, Senior Pastor, The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Kansas 

“Remember who you are and where you came from!” Those were the prophetic words given to me by my father when I left home to find my place in the world. Ironically, these are the same words that Jim and Molly Scott have fixed in the minds of all United Methodists as they help us to re-discover who we are and where we come from in their masterful work, Restoring Methodism. In a generation where we are so anxious about the future of our denomination, there is a lot of talk about renewal and revival, but little action. This book is filled with fresh insights that take us from discussion to action, before you can count to ten! It’s great reading for the people who are called United Methodists.

Bishop Robert E. Hayes, Jr., Oklahoma Area, The United Methodist Church

As a layperson Restoring Methodism confirmed my belief that if the United Methodist Church in the USA is to be renewed and revived we must catch up to John Wesley! Laity and clergy must serve together as partners in ministry. I appreciate the boldness of Jim and Molly Scott in naming ten basic issues that our denomination must address if we are willing to allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us to infuse in us the passion we need to reach present and future generations. Anyone whose “heart has been strangely warmed” cannot read this book without being motivated to encourage their church to pray, discuss, and make some tough decisions that will help us recommit ourselves to the mission of the church and reclaim our heritage as a Bible believing, faith sharing, disciple making body of Christ. This book is an instrument that any local church, jurisdictional, or general church board or agency could use in a visioning process.

Gloria E. Holt, Delivered Laity Address at 2004 General Conference, Immediate Past President of the Association of Annual Conference Lay Leaders, Director, General Board of Global Ministries, North Alabama Conference, The United Methodist Church

Restoring Methodism…is a book that I highly recommend. It provides us with a view of Christian Life that is grounded in our Wesleyan Heritage.  This work is a reminder of the uniqueness of the early Methodist Movement and its founder John Wesley. The authors propose that by re-claiming our heritage we can “produce fruit that will…glorify God … [and] save souls … [for] the kingdom….”

Dr. Embra K. Jackson, Administrative Assistant to the Bishop, Mississippi Conference, The United Methodist Church

This book is a breath of fresh air.  It is not yet another new theory or movement; but rather courageous ideas for today that are grounded in Wesleyan tradition.  It is an extremely valuable book to be read by laity and clergy at all levels of the church as it will evoke incredible discussions of depth that can change not only a person, but spark the renewal of congregations.

Carol Loeb, Leader of the Delegation, Immediate Past Conference Lay Leader, member of Jurisdictional Episcopacy Committee, Southwest Texas Conference, The United Methodist Church

Jim and Molly Davis Scott understand that denominational renewal comes from rediscovering the treasure of heritage rather than focusing only on the earthen vessels of recent practice. In Restoring Methodism, they draw upon the Wesleyan heritage in a broad and vigorous way to discover its meaning for a new time.

Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., Distinguished Professor of Church Leadership, Director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C., The United Methodist Church

This book is an outstanding gift to the laity and clergy of the United Methodist Church.  There are no smoke screens, no quick fixes but simply a call for the reader to reflect on who we are, whose we are, and from whence we came.  It calls for the "return of Methodism to being essentially a lay movement" and challenges clergy and laity alike to work as ministry partners.  I highly recommend this book to all who call themselves Methodist and look forward to the dialogue it will generate.

Asa L. Whitaker, Jr., President, Association of Annual Conference Lay Leaders, The United Methodist Church

There are a lot of books about rescuing mainline Protestant churches, and most of them are useless.  This is not one of those books.  The Scotts have written a book that accurately defines reality, understands the origin and purpose of Methodism, and shows a direction for the future of The United Methodist Church.  I highly recommend this book for study by congregations, clergy covenant groups, conference leaders, and Bishops.  This book could change your life and ministry.

Bishop Tim W. Whitaker, Florida Area, The United Methodist Church

Church renewal comes when leadership takes positive actions to change their own trajectory.  It comes when clergy and lay leadership corporately engage in asking the right questions and follow the Holy Spirit to a new future that flows from deep, adaptive changes in thought and practice.  This book describes most of the decisions necessary to create an atmosphere for God's new creation.

Bishop D. Max Whitfield, New Mexico/West Texas Annual Conferences, The United Methodist Church

This is a great work. When this book, so masterfully and practically crafted by Jim and Molly Scott, was previewed for a grass roots group of 70 local church leaders, mostly laity, in our district, the insights shared were so on target that people were shaking their heads in agreement, spontaneously responding with “Amen!” and saying “somebody gets it about where our church really is and what we need to address as leaders.” At the close of the day all were standing to applaud the hope of Restoring Methodism, but also, and more importantly, they were expressing their prayerful desire to be used by the Holy Spirit to make it happen!

Dr. Guy M. Whitney, Jr.,South Central District Superintendent, Arkansas Conference, The United Methodist Church

I highly endorse this book as a way to revitalize our churches and pastors.  I hope every pastor will buy a copy and let it become a guiding light in their ministry.  Each Lay Leader would benefit from this book, especially if offered the opportunity to partner with his or her pastor to renew our congregations.

Bishop Richard J. Wills, Jr., Tennessee and Memphis Conferences, The United Methodist Church

Restoring Methodism: RESTORATION is ‘right on’ expressing what United Methodism is and how returning to the richness of United Methodist roots can result in positive change. This book resonates with those who have been praying, hoping and believing for new energy in the United Methodist Church. Jim and Molly Scott invite the reader into a dialogue focused on foundational decisions that can release new energy in the church. As one who has tried a variety of renewal methods and trends during forty years of ministry as a pastor in all size churches and a district superintendent of two districts, I recommend this book as a pathway to restoration of a church we love. It offers a fresh, new approach based on age-old foundational decisions.

Dr. Jack Wilson, Dean of Cabinet, District Superintendent, Northwest District, Arkansas Conference, The United Methodist Church

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