Timothy Tennent

What is the Difference between Evangelism and Missions?

All Christians should understand that the good news of the gospel that Jesus Christ is Risen from the dead and universally offers redemption and reconciliation to the entire created order is central to our identity as the people of the Risen Lord. The challenge comes is knowing what this actually looks like in a local […]

The Multiplication of Laborers: A Centennial of Fruitfulness

Asbury Theological Seminary 14th Convocation Address for the launch of Asbury Theological Seminary’s Centennial Text: Matthew 9:37, 38 A desert road leading to Damascus; a quiet garden in the city of Milan; a stormy day in Stotternheim, Germany; three women conversing in a doorway in Bedford, England; a Moravian prayer meeting on Aldersgate St., London; […]

Let our People Go: The Cry of Disaffiliating UMC Churches

There are hundreds of UMC churches across the country who are currently seeking to disaffiliate with the increasingly wayward United Methodist Church. This is the beginning of what will be a long, slow “adoptive curve” rather than any huge “split” which happens all at once. It is important to remember that none of these departing […]

The Multiplication of Laborers: A Centennial of Fruitfulness

Asbury Theological Seminary 14th Convocation Address for the launch of Asbury Theological Seminary’s Centennial A desert road leading to Damascus; a quiet garden in the city of Milan; a stormy day in Stotternheim, Germany; three women conversing in a doorway in Bedford, England; a Moravian prayer meeting on Aldersgate St., London; riding to the Oxford […]

The Transforming Power of the Word of God

I began my ministry in the mountains of North Georgia. I was the classic circuit riding preacher. I had four churches which were scattered across the county. I would drive one direction for an 8:30 service. After that service was complete, I would jump in the car and drive across the county to arrive at […]

Repairing the World Through Love

Our Jewish friends, dating back to the Mishnah, have a wonderful phrase “tikkun olam.” It means to “repair the world.” The Jews understand that God’s covenant love, known as hesed, is the means through which God “repairs the world” (tikkun olam). We all realize that our world is in a mess. Our society is broken. […]

An Argument for Non-Argumentative Argument

Pastors need a lot of skills today, don’t they? Pastors have always needed good theological and biblical sensibilities. They have generally needed to be strong communicators, as well as be pastorally sensitive. The sheer scope of a “day-in-the-life-of-a-pastor” can be overwhelming. In a given day you may find yourself in a hospital praying for the […]

Dispelling Myths about the Future of Methodism

One of the privileges of my role as the President of Asbury Seminary is that I have the opportunity to travel all across the world and meet with a whole range of Methodist groups. It has given me some sense of the hopes, dreams, and even fears, of the “people called Methodist.” The United Methodist […]

Charge to the 2022 Graduating Doctor of Ministry Students

This was my Presidential charge to our graduating Doctor of Ministry students who were honored in Estes Chapel on May 20, 2022. The Latin word, caputium, refers to what we call today an academic hood. The term dates back to the 13th century and, originally, had no connection whatsoever to academic achievements. It was, quite […]

What’s Next for the “People called Methodist”?

The United Methodist Church has delayed the next General Conference to 2024. This, in turn, has prompted the Global Methodist Church to announce that the new denomination will be officially launched on May 1, 2022. What does this mean for those who are heralds of historic orthodoxy in the United Methodist Church? First, why 2024 […]