What Makes United Methodists?

John Wesley:

Parental Influences John Wesley‘s parents were both reformers. His dad was Rev. Samuel Wesley--a reformer and an Anglican Priest. Wesley‘s mother-- Susanna-- daughter of a minister, also preached to small groups at Epworth. She taught John and had great spiritual influence upon him.

Charles Wesley John‘s younger brother

1709: Wesley saved from fire at parish home Parents claim John is a “brand plucked from fire“ and believe young John has a destiny for God.

18th Century British Society Rapid Industrialization sparks poverty and unrest Church of England doesn‘t try to ministry with poor Wesley‘s Father active in SPCK, an organization that offered education and support groups to poorer people.

1720-Wesley Goes Up to Oxford At 17, Wesley enters Christ Church College He leads a poor and carefree undergraduate life

Wesley Begins His Diary J.W. turns serious and searches for “real holiness“ Uses methods of SPCK and Puritan religious societies to journal to examine inner life. He explores Calvinism and Lutheran thought in his search. Journaling/ watching time becomes habit

Spiritual and Intellectual Pilgrimage After graduation from Oxford, John prepares for ordination in the Anglican Church. He continues to read all sorts of theology and philosophy, searching for holy living All of this searching and learning is so that he can strengthen his ministry in the Church of England.

The First Rise of Methodism Oxford Holy Club ( ) 1729/1730 Meets regularly with students to read such works as Law‘s Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, while also working in prisons and with poor 1729 J.W. Oxford Don 1732/1733 J.W. leads, defines, and defends group from opponents who call them “Methodists“ derisively

Wesley‘s American Mission ( ) Wesley goes to Savannah to serve as priest and missionary to Native Americans His encounters with Native Americans lead him to believe that faith is best shared through talking and relating – not through forced baptisms. America‘s colonies are pretty unstable and John ends up leaving after 2 years.

London ( ) Wesley returns to London, and reconnects with old Methodist friends and German Moravians On May 24, 1738 at Moravian meeting on Aldersgate St, Wesley experiences assurance and his heart is “strangely warmed”

Wesley‘s Burning Heart Propels Him to Preach in the Open Fields Feb. 1739, Wesley preaches in Bristol, England. The world became his parish and the poor heard Good News

The Methodist Revival Begins: Social Transformation The Movement locates itself among the poor and responds to their sufferings The message of assurance that God loves all, empowers poor to overcome alcoholism, industrial oppression, and encourages education and financial liberation

Methodist Revival: Organization of Classes Wesley forms small groups after the Moravian model Bands: based on age/gender Classes: mixed small groups Society: all classes in a location together They would share, following General Rules of piety/service The Wesleyan movement was called: the United Societies of the People Called Methodist (it was not a Church)

Spread Through Opposition :Despite persecution from Church and Society, Wesley trains lay pastors to spread message, which reaches all classes throughout England, Ireland, and Scotland

John Wesley: Wesley responded to a deep spiritual encounter at Aldersgate in 1738, by launching a missionary transformation in England for over 50 years. --He preached to all of Britain’s social classes. His message was simple: Repent and flee the wrath to come! Christ died for all, God’s love can be experienced by all, and that each person’s “Image of God” can be completely restored in all who accept the gift of salvation by grace--through faith. --He organized believers into a network of small groups called“classes” and “societies”, which nurtured the Wesleyan revival until the movement eventually broke free from the Church of England and became an independent Church after Wesley’s death.

Rev. Francis Asbury Asbury was sent to America by JW to serve with Bishop Coke as Superintendent (later Bishop). He and Coke didn‘t always get along, and Asbury didn‘t really like the overall structure of the Methodist conference. Yet, Asbury‘s charisma and example of travelling further (270K miles) and preaching more (16K sermons) earned him power and the title--“The Prophet of the Long Road.“

Asbury Puts Itineracy in Motion „There is nothing like the itinerant ministry for keeping the whole body alive from the centre to the circumference, and for the continual extension of that circumference on every hand.“--Bishop Asbury After the Revolutionary War, Methodism moved. In 1784, Methodism was confined by mountains. By 1800, circuits west were linked. Asbury was first Bishop to cross these mountains. Methodism was growing westward in America, because it was going westward with America.

Challenges of the Circuit Riders 1-2 year time limit to reach circuits the size of some states, pushed mobility. They were young, mostly single and celibate because they were paid poorly. Many lost the best years of their life for earning money for retirement, andlost family life. Attrition was high, with many „wore out“ preachers locating, or dying. 20% died before 35.