SWU professor co-authors book about Wesleyan history
The book, a collaboration of Black with Keith Drury, professor of religion at Indiana Wesleyan University, tells the story of The Wesleyan Church, tracing its origins from European and American Methodism through the 1968 merger of the Wesleyan Methodist and Pilgrim Holiness churches and including recent historic events.
“This is a story that really needs telling,” Black said. “We stand on tall shoulders when we pay attention to our past. Yesterday’s church is speaking to today’s church about tomorrow, and that conversation is vitally important.”
The book is being published by Wesleyan Publishing House and a release is set to coincide with the General Conference of The Wesleyan Church in Lexington, Ky., June 1-6.
The Story of The Wesleyan Church is written in a contemporary, reader-friendly style, and is meant to pass on the denomination’s heritage to new generations of readers. The book includes more than a hundred historical photos with detailed captions, further enriching the reader’s experience.
Black has served on Southern Wesleyan’s religion faculty since 1986. He earned a Ph.D. in church history from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia. He also authored a history of the university, “How Firm a Foundation,” and has contributed to several commentaries and histories.
Drury is author of more than a dozen books on practical spirituality, including Holiness for Ordinary People, Common Ground and Ageless Faith.