Minding the Good Ground

" Minding the Good Ground is a thoroughly engaging work on the cutting-edge of debates about the church and renewal. Vickers' treatment of the nature, mission, and sacramental life of the church catches the heart of ecumenical and theological conversations today. The deceptively simple structure of the book is shaken to the core by a fundamental concern for renewal in, through, and beyond the church that is as foundational as it is challenging." --Wolfgang Vondey, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and Director of the Center for Renewal Studies, Regent University "This is the best book on renewal I have read. Minding the Good Ground cuts through the pious clap trap and romantic hocus pocus and provides precisely the kind of sharp, substantial theological analysis we need. Vickers represents the work of a new generation who are coming on board to carry the torch of renewal into the future." --William J. Abraham, Outler Professor of Wesley Studies, Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University "We need balance between Spirit and structure whereas there is now a tendence to exalt the charismatic, the spontaneous, and condemn the ecclesial structures. As Vickers says, it is the Spirit that has inspired and guided the structures in the first place. I highly recommend this book." --Ben Witherington, III, Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary "Vickers is one of the brightest, most helpful young theologians working in our church today. And, he is surely right--renewal is primarily God's self-assigned task, not ours. This wonderful book calls us to renewed theological accountability." --Will Willimon, Bishop, North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church and Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry, Duke Divinity School "An insightful and prayerfully crafted theological vision." --Laceye Warner, Associate Professor of the Practice of Evangelism and Methodist Studies, and Royce and Jane Reynolds Teaching Fellow, Duke Divinity School Vickers' theology of church renewal will no doubt prove inspiring and invigorating for church leaders and seminarians of many different traditions. -- Taylor Worley, Union University -- Theological Book Review ...[Vickers] provides a substantial theological interpretation of church renewal that needs to be read and pondered by all concerned for the renewal of the church. -- David N. Field, Methodist e-Academy -- Wesley and Methodist Studies