Methodist Ethos Methodist Schools What makes methodist schools distinctive?

TWO CONTRASTING VIEWS….. ‘There is something about your schools’ What’s Methodism and …..?

Being the crack where the light gets in… There’s always a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in … You who are my disciples must be like light – you must make the life of the whole world worth living

WHAT MIGHT A METHODIST IDENTITY BE?

There are no distinguishing marks of a Methodist (!) John Wesley

What sort of a world was Wesley born into? Hanoverian Jacobite rebellion Colonial expansion American expansion African slave trade After the English Civil War Before the French Revolution Intellectual enlightenment

What drOVE WESLEY’S REMARKABLE MINISTRY? Finding a faith that works I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death. I now have peace with God

250000 miles later ….

A message with impact 8 million Methodists in America 80 million worldwide 85 UK schools, 25,000 children Worldwide school and alumni Methodist Homes for the Aged Action for Children G2L AIMS A message with impact First school – for miners’ children First permanent free clinic in London Walked miles collecting for charity Vehemently opposed slavery Critical of the behaviour of the rich Promoted drinking beer, not tea! Allowed lay people and women to preach The reason why there was no French revolution in England

Becoming like god in mercy, justice, truth – and love Singing the faith - worship which is accessible but also challenging. People found joy in the emotional singing and learned their faith through memorising the words ‘For all, for all’ - startling inclusivity (women, the uneducated) married with a belief in change and transformation and improvement ‘Living with contradictory convictions’ – Liberal in thought and learning. ‘Let every one enjoy the full and free liberty of thinking for himself’. A Catholic Spirit - the willingness to accept that other people earnestly hold opinions different from yours and not falling out over it; including on religion; ‘If the Methodists leave the CofE, God will leave the Methodists Connexional. Asking ‘what is the work of God in this place?’ Recognising the importance of context: "Consider, with deep and frequent attention, the peculiar circumstances wherein you stand.“ But at the same time, joined up and supportive of each other A transformative belief in the love of God. ‘I am more assured that love is of God than that any opinion whatsoever is so’. Knowing the loving fatherhood of God creates a distinctive relationship of brotherly love with other people. Because of this we ‘watch over one another in love’ and ‘build each other up’. The world is my parish – Methodists live on a larger map. We see ourselves in the big picture and take on active global citizenship Promote a religion that works, that is not just a formality – hearts strangely warmed; living without fear. Social holiness: the Bible knows nothing of solitary religion; a challenge to do good (all the good you can …) Radically ahead of its time on issues like slavery.A persistent speaking of truth to power, resistance of evil. ‘Either, therefore, you must consent to give up your principles, or your fond hope of pleasing men’.  

Methodist cHARACTERISTICS God loves, so we love Watching over one another A religion that works The world is our Parish Social holiness – doing ‘all we can’ Singing the faith For all, for all Living with contradictory convictions Educationally liberal Individual and connexional Ecumenical engagement