Who We Are
Established in 1965, the Wesleyan Theological Society is a community of
scholars, pastors, and students dedicated to advancing Wesleyan-Holiness scholarship.
Each year, members gather at the annual meeting to share research, celebrate achievements, and foster fellowship.
With members from more than 30 countries—representing more than 40 denominations
and more than 250 schools—the Wesleyan Theological Society is the
world’s largest membership-based academic society in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition.
Central to our ethos is a commitment to the
scholarship, heritage, and future
of the Wesleyan-Methodist theological tradition.
Scholarship
The Wesleyan Theological Society promotes academically rigorous scholarship in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition by hosting an annual conference and publishing a peer-reviewed academic journal biannually. Paper proposals can be submitted to thirteen academic forums at the annual meeting, include systematic theology, historical studies, biblical studies, philosophy, women’s studies, intercultural studies, practical theology, and the intersections of theology with science and pop-culture.
Heritage
Members of the Wesleyan Theological Society come from a variety of theological backgrounds—including Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and myriad Protestant traditions. The scholarship presented at the annual meeting reflects this diversity. However, the WTS remains the academic home for new research on the movement and thought of John Wesley, the Methodist revival, and the diverse theological streams that stemmed therefrom.
Future
The Wesleyan Theological Society is also committed to being forward-looking by encouraging the growth and development of the next generation of Wesleyan-Holiness scholars. Graduate students are invited to attend the annual meeting, submit paper proposals, join the Graduate Student Association, and attend the Graduate Student Theological Seminar that meets each year just before the WTS’s annual meeting.