Overview

Dan Davidson is as strong and sensitive a soul as one could hope to be. Incidents from his childhood, young adulthood, marriage, and career as a United Methodist minister demonstrate a truly extraordinary man. Nevertheless, as Dan's career progresses from pastoring growing churches to being selected to serve as a bishop of the denomination, it seems he becomes an example of how 'power corrupts'. Finally, confronted in court by attorney Sonny Richardson, in a class action lawsuit accusing the denomination of breach of contract, Dan will have the opportunity to redeem or condemn himself. Will he be the one to show that a faithful believer could stay and serve within the denomination, or will he be revealed to be another spiritual leader corrupted by the power and position the church has bestowed upon him?

Full Product Details

9781960810168

Table of Contents

Reviews

With a cast of relatable and sympathetic characters, Ewing invites the reader to participate as a juror in a very human case. Marriages begun and ended, institutional failure, the ability of one man to make a difference or not- all are present in a story which on the surface is about church polity and the church as an institution. More than once, I felt my own heart-strings tugged as I recognized my shared humanity with Ewing's characters. Whether a member of the UMC or not, readers can take away much insight on how to be human both in private and within the church. Well done indeed and highly recommended. - Josh Zotta The Trials of Dan Davidson is a gripping narrative that you will emotionally respond to as you read. It details factual experiences in the UMC struggles of orthodox theology and political wrangling within the denomination. I could not quit reading it and I was very curious to see what ending Terry Ewing offered the reader since the struggles are not yet fully resolved. -D.A. Bennett - UMC pastor, recently disaffiliated with the denomination Enter the jury box as you read, The Trials of Bishop Dan Davidson. Examine the evidence and take a good long look at the church, its members ... and of yourself. This book is well-written, challenging the reader to dig deep! - Linda Snowberger, Plumbline Ministries board member I used to read a lot but, lately, haven't made the time. But I'm hooked, you've drawn me in and it's hard to put down. The amount of detail and description truly brings the characters to life, all the while tying in historical theology and our faith is outstanding. - Tony Proctor, Plumbline Ministries board member I was struck by the pull-back-the-veil perspective of the book; the inner workings of church life in relationship to an ordinary life. This is such a good book I wanted to slow down and take my time but found it difficult to stop. I am glad to see the author articulate the theological critique of the UMC church in America. This book validated some of my personal church experiences. Finally, the heretical church leadership has been held accountable. - Roy Shiplet

With a cast of relatable and sympathetic characters, Ewing invites the reader to participate as a juror in a very human case. Marriages begun and ended, institutional failure, the ability of one man to make a difference or not - all are present in a story which on the surface is about church polity and the church as an institution. More than once, I felt my own heart-strings tugged as I recognized my shared humanity with Ewing's characters. Whether a member of the UMC or not, readers can take away much insight on how to be human both in private and within the church. Well done indeed and highly recommended. - Josh Zotta The Trials of Dan Davidson is a gripping narrative that you will emotionally respond to as you read. It details factual experiences in the UMC struggles of orthodox theology and political wrangling within the denomination........I was very curious to see what ending Terry Ewing offered the reader since the struggles are not yet fully resolved. - D.A. Bennett - UMC pastor, recently disaffiliated with the denomination Enter the jury box as you read, The Trials of Bishop Dan Davidson. Examine the evidence and take a good long look at the church, its members ... and yourself. This book is well-written, challenging the reader to dig deep! - Linda Snowberger, Plumbline Ministries board member The amount of detail and description truly brings the characters to life, all the while tying in historical theology and our faith is outstanding. - Tony Proctor, Plumbline Ministries board member I was struck by the pull-back-the-veil perspective of the book; the inner workings of church life in relationship to an ordinary life. This is such a good book I wanted to slow down and take my time but found it difficult to stop. I am glad to see the author articulate the theological critique of the UMC church in America. This book validated some of my personal church experiences. Finally, the heretical church leadership has been held accountable. - Roy Shiplet

Author Information

Terry was a student-pastor in the United Methodist before turning twenty years old. After serving for fourteen years and gaining a bachelors degree in Psychology and a master's in Divinity, Ewing surrendered his ordination in response to institutional betrayals and religious abuses practiced in the denomination. Many of his personal experiences as a UMC pastor are incorporated into the book through the Kyle Fedder character, a witness for the prosecution. Terry founded Plumbline Ministries in 1995 and the counseling center has grown steadily. Supported by his wife of forty-four years, the staff of Plumbline Ministries, and dozens of counselees with similar experiences of religious traumas, Terry wrote this novel in hopes of informing UMC members who have been denied knowledge of the institutional abuses, and to encourage every believer to develop a compassionate response to the victims of religious traumas and abuses.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available