Doctrinal Symposia

The Board of General Superintendents of The Wesleyan Church periodically sponsors doctrinal symposia that bring together theologians, church leaders, pastors and lay persons to explore Wesleyan theology and its application to current church and personal life.

Wesleyan-Arminian viewpoints were truly fresh perspectives on the theological landscape when they emerged as alternatives to the dominant catholic and reformed perspectives. Wesleyan-Arminian theology continues to be dynamic and speaks fresh insight into contemporary Christian experience. Every confessional group owes its adherents to periodically do a fresh study of scripture, tradition, reason, experience and culture for the sake of clarifying, correcting and communicating its body of core beliefs. Currently, doctrinal illiteracy is epidemic among church attenders. There is a growing hunger for holiness; a desire to experience genuine transformation; and a search for deliverance from lifestyle patterns that hinder spiritual growth.

A Wesleyan Hermeneutic

The next doctrinal symposium is being planned for June 5-6, 2009. It will be held at The Wesleyan Church World Headquarters in Fishers, Indiana. The symposium will focus on a Wesleyan perspective of interpreting Scripture.

Symposia:

Saving Grace—A Wesleyan View of Spiritual Transformation

The first symposium was held May 20-21, 2005 at the World Headquarters of The Wesleyan Church and focused on Saving Grace—A Wesleyan View of Spiritual Transformation.

New Testament Thoughts on Sin and Believers by Ken Schenck
Growing Up Holiness by Mel Dieter
I Felt My Church Warmly Changed by Michael Walters
Communicating Full Salvation by Steve DeNeff
Views on Sanctification by Chris Bounds
Sin and Grace by Jonathan Case

A Wesleyan View of the Church

The second symposium was held June 1-2, 2007, at the World Headquarters of The Wesleyan Church and focused on A Wesleyan View of the Church.

In Search of Pastoral Identity by Joe Dongell
Response by Wayne Schmidt
Liturgical Core for Wesleyan Worship by Jerry Pence
Response by Karl Eastlack
Recapturing the Miraculous in Our Mission by Frank Robinson
Response by Mark Wilson
The Ecclesiology of John Wesley by Bud Bence
Response by Shirley Mullen
The Church as Sanctified Community by John Drury
Response by Tom Harding
The Church & The Holy Spirit by Ken Schenck
Reponse by Marlin Hotle
The Church as Redemptive Agent by Tom McCall
Response by Gary Carr

Symposium Summary by Dr. Thomas Armiger

A Wesleyan View of Holiness

The third symposium was a part of the 2008 General Conference program held in Orlando, Florida, June 7-11, 2008 and took the form of A Forum on Holiness. Presentations were made by Dr. Chris Bounds, Dr. Jo Ann Lyon, Rev. Christy Lipscomb and Dr. Jim Garlow which focused on Personal, Corporate and Missional Holiness. These presentations are available in video format on the General Conference webpage (www.wesleyan.org/gc/)

Phone: 317-774-7900

Email: bgs@wesleyan.org

Mailing: P.O. Box 50434, Indianapolis, IN 46250