Timothy Tennent

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 […]

Side B Christians and the Restoration of Celibacy, part 3

This is the third and final part in this series on the restoration of celibacy and the role “Side B” Christians may play in its renewal. We have established the biblical truth that both marriage and celibacy are meant to mirror the marriage of Christ and his church. The reason Paul says celibacy is “better” […]

Side B Christians and the Restoration of Celibacy, part 2

This is the second part in this series exploring Christians who experience same sex attractions, but are committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, the authority of Scripture, and have embraced celibacy. This group of Christians are known as “Side B” Christians. My earlier blog pointed out how this group of Christians are helping the […]

Side B Christians and the Restoration of Celibacy, part 1

This is the first of a short series of blogs seeking to explore the rise of same-sex attracted men and women who have embraced celibacy. All of us are aware of the current conversations both with and about LGBT peoples and practices. Asbury Seminary was blessed a few weeks ago to host Dr. Preston Sprinkle […]

Are you tattooed for Jesus?

We love to see lists, don’t we? We are inundated with all kinds of lists such as the top wealthiest people in the country, the top candidates for G.O.A.T. status in every sport, or the top ten popular songs on iTunes. The Church likes lists, too. We often see lists such as the “largest churches […]

The Next Methodism

There is an understandable excitement about the launch of the “next Methodism” out of the ashes of the current tragedy known as the United Methodist Church. One of the more helpful publications which sets forth the vision for “what’s next” can be found in the publication, The Next Methodism edited by two fine Methodist theologians, […]

Epiphany: The World is Turning!

We have just recently walked through the seasons of Advent, Christmas and Christmastide. This is the time of the church year where we acknowledge that God, in Jesus Christ, has stepped into our time, our space and our history. The Greek word for this is “chronos.” This is where we get our word chronology from. […]

The Four Wounds of the Fall – and the Four Healings of the Gospel

There is a long tradition in the church which seeks to explain the depth of our sin nature and the effects of the Fall which were unleashed by the entrance of sin in the world. As Wesleyans, we are NOT “Pelagian” in our view of sin. In other words, we do not believe that every […]

The Four Candles of Advent

Advent is a time of hope and expectation as we both remember and anticipate. My favorite Advent hymn is Charles Wesley’s “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” because it captures the longing so well. I would like to highlight four ways or lens through which we should think about Advent. We often designate the four candles […]