Francis Francis Asbury Asbury Pioneer Pioneer Methodist Methodist Bishop ishop Francis Asbury is the most important figure in the ishop Francis Asbury is the most important figure in the Bhistory of in the Bhistory of Methodism in the United States Born in England, Asbury (1745-1816) preached his first ser- Born in England, Asbury (1745-1816) preached his first ser- mon when he was seventeen years old. In 1771, mon when he was seventeen years old. In 1771, John Wesley appointed him to preach the Good News and encourage Meth- appointed him to preach the Good News and encourage Meth- odist discipline in British North America. Asbury zealously odist discipline in British North America. Asbury zealously embraced this ministry and the itinerant lifestyle it required, embraced this ministry and the itinerant lifestyle it required, travelling at least 300,000 miles and delivering over 16,000 ser- travelling at least 300,000 miles and delivering over 16,000 ser- mons in the course of his labors. mons in the course of his labors. With Rev. , Asbury became co-superintendent With Rev. Thomas Coke, Asbury became co-superintendent (later, bishop) of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1784 (later, bishop) of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1784 when Wesley’s followers in the United States of America orga- when Wesley’s followers in the United States of America orga- nized themselves at the famed . As the nized themselves at the famed Christmas Conference. As the only active bishop in the country because of Coke’s interna- only active bishop in the country because of Coke’s interna- tional travels, Asbury wielded great influence throughout the tional travels, Asbury wielded great influence throughout the new denomination. new denomination. (over) (over) (Francis Asbury, cont.) Asbury’s commitment to (Francis Asbury, cont.) Asbury’s commitment to frontier preaching and class meetings helped increase the num- frontier preaching and class meetings helped increase the num- ber of Methodists from under 1500 at the time of his arrival to ber of Methodists from under 1500 at the time of his arrival to over 200,000 at the time of his death. over 200,000 at the time of his death. Itinerant clergy, camp meetings, and the quadrennial General Itinerant clergy, camp meetings, and the quadrennial General Conference are marks of Asbury’s legacy, as well as hundreds of Conference are marks of Asbury’s legacy, as well as hundreds of churches, schools, and communities that bear his name. churches, schools, and communities that bear his name.

For Discussion For Discussion

• Methodism grew by leaps and bounds in early America. What • Methodism grew by leaps and bounds in early America. What did it offer that established denominations did not? What has did it offer that established denominations did not? What has changed now that United Methodism is an established de- changed now that United Methodism is an established de- nomination itself? nomination itself?

• Asbury believed that ministers should be sent to appoint- • Asbury believed that ministers should be sent to appoint- ments rather than called by churches. What are the strengths ments rather than called by churches. What are the strengths and weaknesses of both systems? and weaknesses of both systems?

• Asbury once said: “My soul is more at rest from the tempter • Asbury once said: “My soul is more at rest from the tempter when I am busily employed.” How do you balance work/ser- when I am busily employed.” How do you balance work/ser- vice with meditation/study? vice with meditation/study?

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