Paul Wesley Chilcote

Singing the Faith

Wed, 18 May 2022 20:57:02 GMT

Methodists embody and experience their theology through singing the faith.

The Wesleyan tradition was born in song and early Methodist people found their true identity as the children of God through singing. From the beginning, the hymns of Charles Wesley, in particular, shaped their self-understanding and faith practice. This lyrical heritage was not rooted in the simple joy of song; rather, the leaders of the nascent revival recognized the potency of congregational singing as a legitimate medium of theology. The Wesleys understood, as an ancient writer once observed, that to sing is to pray twice; and as an African proverb maintains: "If you can talk you can sing." The singing of Christians is both prayer to God and speech about God. Hymns function both as a communal confession of faith and a common catechism for the faith. This book explores the role of sacred song in the development of the Methodist doctrinal heritage from the hymnody of the Wesleys to the sung theology of contemporary global Methodists. It shows primary axial themes of Methodist hymn writers who created a substantial corpus of lyrical material; and offers an historical approach, which includes global voices. Chilcote offers readers a path to better understand the deep connections between theology and what they sing, as they learn about the wide range of hymn and sacred song traditions within the Methodist family.

This volume also expands recent pioneering work in the sub-discipline of "lyrical theology" by exploring the role of sacred song in the development of the Methodist doctrinal heritage. Beginning with the hymns of Charles and John Wesley, each chapter explores the primary themes of Methodist hymn writers, who created a substantial corpus of lyrical material in the Wesleyan spirit in their own right. Topics include the gospel hymn tradition of Fanny Crosby and her other Methodist contemporaries; Charles A. Tindley and the black music heritage; as well as the more contemporary expressions of sung theology in the work of Fred Pratt Green, Natalie Allyn Sleeth, and Dan Damon. Given the fact that individual hymns have shaped generations of Methodist singers, attention is paid to how the singular hymns of Mary Lathbury, Frank Mason North, and Georgia Harkness, effectively communicated a concern for biblical Christianity, the Social Gospel, and evangelical liberalism, respectively, at the beginning of the twentieth century. Likewise, new global voices, namely, those of song writers such as Federico Pagura, I-to Lo, Patrick Matsikenyiri, and Simei Monteiro reflect the current emphasis on justice, joy, and journey among Methodists today.

Praying in the Wesleyan Spirit

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:51:22 GMT

John Wesley (1703 - 1791), one of the greatest preachers of all time, preached more than 40,000 sermons. Wesley's sermons centered on God's unconditional love, freely offered to all through Christ. Wesley preached at coal mines and in fields and sparked a great spiritual renewal. Wesley's published sermons instructed the people in Christian discipleship and explained the core understandings of the Methodist movement.

Praying in the Wesleyan Spirit offers contemporary readers an approach to Wesley's spiritual depth. Author Paul Chilcote has transposed 52 of Wesley's standard sermons into flowing devotional prayers that are written in contemporary language, yet faithful to Wesley's message. A scripture reference and a hymn by Charles Wesley accompany each prayer. The prayers offer a means of reflecting on such topics as salvation by faith, yearning for God, and Christian perfection. Like Wesley's sermons, these prayers show a concern to reveal how God works in the world. The prayers also engage the head and hands and heart in the same way that Wesley understood Christian discipleship.

With 52 prayers, readers may pray one prayer a week for a year and immerse themselves in a short course in Wesleyan thought and theology. This one-of-a-kind prayer book will introduce readers to a rich heritage of Christian discipleship and is a must have devotional book for those active in the Wesleyan tradition. A Scripture Index and a Hymn Index are also included.

A Life-Shaping Prayer

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:45:41 GMT

Who is God to you?
What can you give to God?
How does God shape your life?
How do you live as a disciple of Christ?

Drawing on the rich resources of the Methodist tradition, A Life-Shaping Prayer is a beautifully written devotional resource. Centered around a prayer of an early Wesley follower, the themes of this book lead to a rediscovery of what it means to practice faith.

Advocating a holistic spirituality where prayer and life are interconnected, Chilcote's premise will make God increasingly real to you.

"Grant me, gracious Lord, a pure intention of heart and a steadfast regard to your glory in all my actions. Possess my mind continually with your presence…" is how the prayer of Elizabeth Rhodes begins. This prayer reflects many of the central themes, values, and goals of vital Christianity. Studying and praying this prayer for a "waking spirit and a diligent soul" will lead to a Christ-filled life.

Breaking down the early Methodist prayer into 52 readings, Chilcote retooled it into a flexible devotional format that includes a scripture, a brief meditation, a Wesley hymn, and a prayer for the day. Whether you decide to read a selection a week or begin a pattern of morning/evening prayers, you'll immerse yourself in the discipline of prayer.

A Life-Shaping Prayer is suitable for individual or group reflection and is ideal as a prayer aid to prepare for Lent and Advent.

"The practice of prayer—practicing life in Christ—requires effort, but all begins and ends in God's grace and loving-kindness," writes Chilcote. "God has gifted you richly, desires to shape your life through the power of Jesus' love, and yearns for you to show yourself to be a disciple of Christ. Permit the Spirit of God to breathe new life into you."

Discover a richer life of enacted love through A Life-Shaping Prayer.