Sketches of a Missionary Life:

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Sketches of a Missionary Life

• CH 550 History of United Methodism

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John Wesley 1703-1791

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John Wesley 1703-1791

• --Wesley responded to a deep spiritual encounter
  at Aldersgate in 1738, by launching an
  unprecedented missionary transformation of
  Britain for over 50 years.
• --He preached a stirring message that
  challenged all of Britains stratified social
  classes to Reform Repent and flee the wrath to
  come! Christ died for all, Gods love can be
  experienced by all, and the Image of God can be
  completely restored in all who accept the gift of
  salvation by grace--through faith.
• --He organized awakened believers into a
  network of small groups calledclasses and
  societies, which nurtured the Wesleyan revival
  until the movement eventually broke free from the
  Church of England and became an independent
  Church after Wesleys death.

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Parental Influences

• Wesley raised the son of Rev. Samuel Wesley--a
  reformer and educated Anglican Priest at Epworth.
• Wesleys mother--Susanna-- daughter of a
  minister, also preached to small groups at
  Epworth. She taught John and had great spiritual
  influence upon him.

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• 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.

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18th Century British Society

• Rapid Industrialization sparks poverty and unrest
• Church of England indifferent to ministry with
  poor
• Wesleys Father active in SPCK (education/groups)
  John learns a model for revival with social
  effects

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1720-Wesley Goes Up to Oxford

• At 17, Wesley enters Christ Church College
• He leads a poor and carefree undergraduate life

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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
  becomes confused and attracted to Calvinism and
  Lutheran thought

• Journaling/ watching time becomes habit

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1725-- Spiritual and Intellectual Pilgrimage

• After graduation, confers and studies for
  ordination
• Reads much in Pietism, and searches for holy
  living
• Mixes this with Puritan moralism, mystic devotion
• Expresses all in structure/doctrine of C.of E.

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The First Rise of Methodism Oxford Holy Club
(1729-1735)

• 1729 J.W. Oxford Don

• 1729/1730 Meets regularly with students to read
  such works as Laws Serious Call to a Devout and
  Holy Life, while also working in prisons and with
  poor

• 1732/1733 J.W. leads, defines, and defends
  group from opponents who call them Methodists
  derisively

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Charles Wesley1707-1788
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Methodisms 2nd Rise Wesleys American Mission
(1735-1737)

• Wesley struggled with his call take Fathers
  parish or accept Governor Oglethorpes invitation
  to serve with SPG in Savannah?
• 1735 J.W. leaves Oxford with friends, to serve
  as priest and missionary to Native Americans
• Charles also goes as secretary to Governor,
  Susanna pleased

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Storms Reveal Wesleys Lack of Assurance on Way
to America

• German Moravian singing and calm in face of death
  prompts Wesley to seek their assurance of faith

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Feb.1736-Wesley Encounters Tomochichi in Savannah

• This first cross-cultural witness disabuses
  Wesley of the notion that the Yamacraw were
  without notions of religion, Gospel, or politics

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Wesley Listens to Tomochichis Request for Bible
Teaching

• Chief expresses hope to hear Great Word--but
  wants to be taught first--rather than to have
  forced baptism as the Spanish had attempted

• Wesley says native and English must be taught the
  Word from above conversing together. Yet Wars
  and Politics interfere with hopes for mission

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Wesleys Ecumenical Exposure and Theological
Reflection

• Despite Mission disappointments and legalism,
  Wesley makes contact with Moravian Pietistic
  Lutherans such as August Spangenburg, who
  introduce him to the need for joy and assurance
  of salvation

• Wesley can not answer questionDoes the Spirit
  bear witness with your spirit that you are a
  Child of God?

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Politics Limits the Wesleys Ministry to Parish

• Gov. Oglethorpes agendas for colonial stability
  prevent John and Charles from focusing on the
  Indian Mission
• John feels torn between parish and mission. Both
  leave discouraged for Britain, Charles in 1736,
  John in late 1737

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3rd Rise of Methodism--London (1738-1739)

• Wesley returns to London, and reconnects with old
  Methodist associates and German Moravians
• On May 24, 1738 at Moravian meeting in Aldersgate
  Street, Wesley experiences assurance and
  Christus pro me

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Wesleys Burning Heart Propels Him to Preach in
the Open Fields

• Feb. 1739, Wesley accepts Whitefields invitation
  to preach in open at Kingswood, ( Bristol). The
  world became his parish and the poor heard Good
  News

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The Methodist Revival Begins Social
Transformation-1739-1744

• 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

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Wesleys Organizational Efforts Nurture the
Methodist Revival

• Wesley travels and forms small groups after the
  Moravian model--first into bands (age/gender) and
  then later into classes--mixed small groups
  sharing, following General Rules of piety/service
• All classes in a location met also together as a
  Society. TheWesleyan movement known as the United
  Societies of the People Called Methodist--it was
  not an Independent Church

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Wesley Preaches Message in Oxford

• Aug.1744--J.W. still an Oxford Don, brings a
  message against dead systems of thought, points
  out that the Spirit is moving among poor, and
  preaches the need for Oxford to renew itself and
  discover a living faith
• Scandal follows, but published debate over
  Methodist doctrine spreads as a result. Some
  among upper classes also hear Wesleys revival
  message

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Spread Through Opposition

• 1744-1758Despite persecution from Church and
  Society, Wesley trains lay pastors to spread
  message, which reaches all classes throughout
  England, Ireland, and Scotland

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Maturing of Methodism and Doctrinal
Development-1758-1775

• Through debate, writings, and Annual Conference
  Minutes--Methodisms doctrine and polity deepens

• Wesley attacks British Slavery in New World

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Tensions Transitions 1775-1791

• Due to Methodisms advance into New World, as
  well as Wesleys advancing years, issues of
  theology, authority and the future of the
  movement bring tension

• 1784Deed of Declaration mandates that power
  rests with Annual Conference after Death

• JW confers Power to ordain others in America to
  Coke/Asbury

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Wesleys Death Sparks Change-1791

• Death of JW--the Centre of Union--opens way for
  Methodism to become independent from C.of. E and
  dissenting groups to form independent Churches.
  American Methodism already functionally
  independent from 1784, sets aside Wesleys Sunday
  Service 1792

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Epilogue

• Despite sources in trans-atlantic Revivals of the
  18th century and earlier theological
  expressions--Wesley synthesized these sources and
  placed his own stamp on the Methodist Revival and
  gave it a worldwide missionary orientation
• The message of Gods love in Christ for all the
  world, is at the heart of the Wesleyan tradition,
  which reminded the Church that mission is not
  something optional, it is our essence.
  Methodists, therefore, participate in Gods
  mission, wherever in the world we call our parish

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Mission The Wesleyan Stamp Upon the Church and
the World