Rev. Dr Norman Taggart has published a book exploring the impact of Irish Methodists in the world church. This book review written by Rev. Ken Todd was published in the September 2021 edition of the Methodist Newsletter

This is the second volume fr om Rev Dr Norman Taggart and follows his earlier publication of The Irish in World Methodism 1760-1900. The book indicates the worldwide journey of the Irish Methodist Church in the 20th century. It was not always smooth, sometimes hesitant but by the grace of God, often effective, as Irish Methodists followed Christ to the ends of the earth. Irish Methodists might like to start with a look at an impressive appendix which lists 257 surnames of missionaries/mission partners.

Initially, many offered for a lifetime of missionary service. Increasingly, shorter terms of service were accepted. Dr Taggart also notes the progression from the concept of ‘foreign mission’ to ‘one world mission’. In the latter part of the 20th century, Irish Methodism has been receiving people from countries to which it formerly sent missionaries. Happily, the book was published as the Irish Conference 2020 designated the Rev Dr Sahr Yambasu to be its President and the first African leader of the Irish Church.

This is not an official history of the Methodist Missionary Society (Ireland) but rather a collection of memoirs and essays based on information from the archives and from questionnaires. The book is a reminder that missionary zeal has been a mark of Methodism in Ireland, first at home and later across the world. There is a chapter on the influence of the Christian Endeavour movement as well as the Missionary Summer Schools where generations of Irish people were made aware of the call to God’s mission and introduced to stories and representatives of the World Church.

There are some glimpses of people who fulfilled their mission as doctors and nurses, evangelists and educators, administrators and accountants, engineers and pioneers while some were chaplains to the forces in the countries where they served. Others found themselves struggling to be reconcilers in times of bitter conflict which included the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya, the Biafran Civil War in Nigeria, the Sri Lankan Conflict as well as others.

The 20th century was a time of church expansion, onversions to Christ and times of remarkable revival. Dr Taggart also notes the efforts at dialogue between Christianity and the major world religions.

To order your copy of ‘The Irish in World Methodism 1900-2000’ (£10/€10) please contact the World Mission Partnership office +44 28 9076 7959 or click the button below.