The Methods of Methodism Session: “The Methods of Methodism” (Tues, 5/5/2020) o A quick history of the Wesley Bros & the Holy Club through The Societies’ General Rules The Wesley Family o Samuel Wesley (1662-1735): o Susanna Wesley (1669-1742) was the greatest influence on John Wesley throughout his life The Wesley Bros o John (1703-1791) and Charles (1707-1788) Wesley were 2 (15th & 18th) of 19 children (9 died in infancy) o The Epworth Rectory Fire “I do intend to more particularly care for the soul of this child… that I may… instill into his mind the disciplines of thy true religion and virtue…” (–Susanna Wesley) o Christ’s Church, Oxford For Further Reflection / Contextualization: o The Holy Club (1729) Re:form Traditions (Sparkhouse) makes clear that these “teenagers” were dissatisfied with the religious life of their day (and such dissatisfaction o In 1732 William Morgan, a member, died. The is clear in Wesley’s sermons of the time, group was accused of causing the death, so John particularly “The Almost Christian.”) wrote to his father (Richard Morgan) to explain Is there any correlation between JW & the Holy what had happened. From that letter we know Club’s members’ dissatisfaction with “religion” in what they were about: their day and the communities we are called to • Met 3 to 4 times a week to study classic serve? Are there people around us seeking literature (esp. The Greek Testament) spiritual meaning in their lives who do not (or can not) connect with a local church? What would • Later added works of mercy/piety, John Wesley do? • Later added on attendance to holy communion and elements of piety In November 1729, at which time I came to reside at Oxford, your son, my brother, myself, and one more [Robert Kirkham], agreed to spend three or four evenings in a week together. Our design was to read over the classics, which we had before read in private, on common nights, and on Sunday some book in divinity. In the summer following Mr. M[organ] told me he had called at the jail to see a man who was condemned for killing his wife, and that, from the talk he had with one of the debtors, he verily believed it would do much good if anyone would be at the pains of now and then speaking with them. This he so frequently repeated that on the 24th of August, 1730, my brother and I walked with him to the Castle. We were so well satisfied with our conversation there that we agreed to go thither once or twice a week; which we had not done long before he desired me to go with him to see a poor woman in the town who was sick. In this employment, too, when we came to reflect upon it, we believed it would be worth while to spend an hour or two in a week, provided that the minister of the parish in which any such person was were not against it…. Soon after, a gentleman of Merton College [John Boyce], who was one of our little company, which now consisted of five persons, acquainted us that he had been much rallied the day before for being a member of ‘The Holy Club,’ and that it was become a common topic of mirth at his college…. The Methods of Methodism (Handout/Outline) 1 The Methods of Methodism I have now largely and plainly laid before you the real ground of all the strange outcry you have heard; and am not without hope that by this fairer representation of it than you probably ever received before, both you and the clergyman you formerly mentioned may have a more favourable opinion of a good cause, though under an ill name…. (John Wesley’s letter to Robert Morgan, 1732, as included in the Preface to the (first) Journal: An Extract of the Rev. Mr. John Wesley’s Journal From his Embarking for Georgia To his Return to London; The Works of John Wesley, vol. 18; Ward & Heitzenrater; 124-125, 126, 132) Failure in Georgia and the Moravian Influence (1735-1737) Our end in leaving our native country [for Georgia] was not to avoid want (God having given us plenty of temporal blessings,), nor to gain the dung or dross of riches or honour; but singly this to save our souls, to live wholly to the glory of God. (Journal, October 14, 1735; Works, vol. 18, 136-137) o The primary impact of the period was his first encounter with Moravian spirituality Peter Boehler, The Fetter Lane Society, & Wesley’s Aldersgate Moment o May, 1738, formed the Fetter Lane Society… For Further Reflection / Contextualization: Who needs a Boehler? What word of encouragement o Beoehler was the one who encouraged Wesley to spur growth in faith? John the Baptist played an when he felt discouraged, with the famous words: important part in launching the ministry of Jesus; Boehler in that of Wesley. When are you like Peter “preach faith until you have it; then, because you Boehler? When is your church or small group like a have it, you will preach faith. Fetter Lane Society, contributing to an Aldersgate experience for someone? o Wesley’s “Aldersgate experience,” – May 24, 1738 … Field Preaching and The Formation of the United Societies and the General Rules o 1739, Whitfield begins preaching outdoors and enjoins Wesley to do the same… 1739, Thursday, March 29 – In the evening I reached Bristol and met Mr. Whitefield there. I could scarcely reconcile myself at first to this strange way of preaching in the fields, of which he set me an example on Sunday; I had been all my life (till very lately) so tenacious of every point relating to decency and order that I should have thought the saving of souls almost a sin if it had not been done in a church…. Monday, April 2. At four in the afternoon, I submitted to be more vile and proclaimed in the highways the glad tidings of salvation, speaking from a little eminence in a ground adjoining to the city, to about three thousand people. The Scripture on which I spoke was this (is it possible anyone should be ignorant that it is fulfilled in every true minister of Christ?): “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor…” (–Wesley’s Journal) 2 The Methods of Methodism (Handout/Outline) The Methods of Methodism o On November, 1739, Wesley and 50 others For Further Reflection / Contextualization: left the Fetter Lane Society and founded the Wesley’s “genius” is often cited as this – the organizational Foundery Society; soon after this first United structures he helped form. We see similarities in our local church Society was formed, Wesley wrote the ministries: large group gatherings (worship, large fellowships), General Rules of the Societies. small group discussion, and sometimes mentoring and/or spiritual guidance akin to that of the band. How can we be o As more Societies are founded and lay intentional about forming these levels, in both short-term and preachers empowered, Wesley forms the long-term experiences? Methodist “Connexion” “My brother Wesley acted wisely. The souls that were awakened under his ministry he joined in societies, and thus preserved the fruit of his labor. This I neglected, and my people are a rope of sand." (-George Whitfield) Aside: Wesley’s Prolific Publishing o Sermons Contextualization: o Notes on the New Testament Why does what Wesley wrote matter? Because by Discipline we accept his o Journal sermons and the Notes on the New Testament as expressions of our o Christian library unique Methodist Doctrine. o Letters & pamphlets Charles’ Influence o Charles wrote over 6,000 hymns used by the people called Methodist! I sing Grimalkin brave and bold Who makes Intruders fly, His claws and whiskers they behold, And squawl and scamper by. (-Charles Wesley, a hymn to his cat) Question for Group Discussion: o What are ways in which the heritage of the Wesley Bros and the Methodist movement influence our practices of faith formation in UM Churches to this day? o As we consider the ramifications of Coronavirus/Covid-19 on future church ministries… o How might the experience of the Holy Club and early Methodists give us inspiration for new expressions of discipleship? o What practices of faith might we turn to individually and collectively to guide our work of disciple-making? The Methods of Methodism (Handout/Outline) 3 .