Leaning Both Ways at Once

“Conklin-Miller probes what it means to be ‘the church’ in the post-Christendom setting of the twenty-first century, with an eye toward identifying distinctive evangelistic church practices appropriate to this setting. A thoughtful and helpful discussion!”
—Randy L. Maddox, Duke Divinity School

“In this work Dr. Conklin-Miller shares the fruits of carefully integrating years of pastoral experience and scholarly study to describe the nuanced role of the church between God and the world in ministries of evangelism. This is a timely and significant contribution to assist the people called Methodist in discerning its role in God’s reign in a complex and hurting world.”
—Laceye Warner, Duke Divinity School

“Jeff has achieved what few others have done in the field of evangelism. In Leaning Both Ways at Once he offers a theological vision for evangelism that is rooted in tradition and compatible with social innovation. Readers will be struck by his image of evangelism as interceding between God and the world in a manner that allows for a unique Methodist ecclesiology which avoids the trappings of making church and world congruent. Those seeking a theological exploration of evangelism that integrates many of the best thinkers in Christian history will see this as a must-read.”
—F. Douglas Powe Jr., Wesley Theological Seminary

“‘What is the world?’ I frequently receive this question when teaching evangelism at church or seminary. Many Christians want to learn how the church understands the world to which they are sent, but not many books on mission and evangelism carefully address the question as Jeffrey Conklin-Miller’s new book does. He offers a robust Wesleyan and ecumenical understanding of the church/world relationship. I highly recommend you read his insightful proposal for evangelism as the church’s intercessory presence in the world.”
—Sangwoo Kim, Duke Divinity School and Epworth UMC, Durham, North Carolina