Full Tables, Closed Doors, Open Fields

“Steven Bruns tells the story that explains why American Methodists did not follow John Wesley in observing the Lord's Supper as ‘the means of grace par excellence.’ This book is a must-read for anyone who cares about recovering the spiritual substance of the original Methodist movement in England, for genuine reform begins with understanding. Fortunately for us, this story is told clearly with just the right amount of pertinent detail. 


—Timothy W. Whitaker, United Methodist Bishop, Retired





“Here is a book for the church-at-large that can also be read and appreciated by academics. Bruns reminds us that the basic elements for salvation are contained in the Eucharist (the serious call to repentance and faith within a community of believers). Furthermore, he captures the history, essence, and significance of the sacrament that motivated the creation of an indigenous church for America but was soon sorely neglected.”


—Robert G. Tuttle, Asbury Theological Seminary