Methodism

The Methodist movement isgroupdenominationss Protestant Christianity.

Tablecontents

1 The Wesleyan revival
2 Separation fromChurchEngland
3 Theology
4 The Methodist ChurchBritain
5 Methodism inUnited States
6 Other countries
7 External links

The Wesleyan revival

It was started by John Wesley, his younger brother Charles George Whitefield asmovement withinChurchEngland in18th century, focused on Bible study, andmethodical approachscriptures. The term "Methodist" wascollege nickname, intendedbe insulting, bestowed uponsmall societystudents at Oxford, who met together between 17291735 forpurposemutual improvement. They were accustomedcommunicate every week,fast regularly andabstain from most formsamusementluxury. They also frequently visited poorsick personsprisoners ingaol.

The early Methodists reacted againstapathy ofChurchEngland, became open-air preachersestablished Methodist societies whereverwent. They were notorioustheir enthusiastic sermonsoften accusedfanaticism. In those days, members ofestablished church feared thatpowerful new doctrines promulgated byMethodists, such asnecessitysalvation ofNew Birth,Justification by Faith,ofconstantsustained action ofHoly Spirit uponbeliever's soul, would produce ill effects upon weak minds. Theophilus Evans, an early critic ofmovement, even wrote thatwas "the natural Tendencytheir Behaviour,VoiceGesturehorrid Expressions,make People mad." In onehis prints, William Hogarth likewise attacked Methodists as "enthusiasts" full"Credulity, SuperstitionFanaticism." ButMethodists resistedmany attacks against their movement. (See John Wesley George Whitefield formuch more complete discussionearly Methodism.)

John Wesley came underinfluence ofMoraviansDutch theologian Jacobus Arminius, while Whitefield adopted Calvinistic views. Consequently, their followers separated, thoseWhitefield becoming Calvinistic Methodists. Generally Methodists have followed WesleyArminian theology.

Separation fromChurchEngland

Wesley originally had no intentionseparating fromChurchEngland. However, followingAmerican Revolution,ChurchEngland cut off thoseits members who were Americans, refusingordain ministersthem. Wesley decidedordain ministers,since he was notbishop this put himschism withAnglican church. He andother early leaders formedMethodist Church asseparate body partlyresponsethose events. (See alsoEpiscopal Church.) Wesley chartedfirst Methodist Church on February 28, 1784.

Theology

Traditionally, Methodism has believed inArminian viewfree will as opposedpredestination. This distinguishes it, historically, from Calvinist traditions such as Presbyterianism. However,strongly Calvinist countries such as Wales, Calvinistic Methodists remain. Also, more recent theological debates have often cut across denominational lines, so that theologically liberal MethodistReformed churches have morecommoneach other thanmore conservative memberstheir own denominations.

John Wesley was notsystematic theologian, though ministerial students do study his sermonshis theology. The popular expressionMethodist theologyinhymnsCharles Wesley. Since enthusiastic congregational singing waspart ofEvangelical movement, Wesleyan theology took rootspread through this venue.

Methodism followstraditionalnear-universal Christian belief intriune God-Father, Son,Holy Spirit. In devotional terms, this confessionsaidembracebiblical witnessGod's activitycreation, encompass God's gracious self-involvement indramashistory,anticipateconsummationGod's reign. For them, theretwo Sacraments ordainedChrist: Baptism Communion (Supper ofLord).

It istraditional position ofchurch that any disciplined theological work calls forcareful usereason. By reason, itsaid,readinterpret Scripture. By reasondetermine whether their Christian witnessclear. By reason their ask questionsfaithseekunderstand God's actionwill.

This church insists that personal salvation always involves Christian missionservice toworld. Scriptural holiness entails more than personal piety; loveGodalways linkedloveneighbor,passionjusticerenewal inlife ofworld.

The Methodist ChurchBritain

British Methodism has always been characterised bystrong central organization,Connexion, which holds an annual Conference. The connectiondivided into Districts governed by"superintendent minister", incharge ofChairman (who may be female). The districtsdivided into circuits,ministersappointedthese rather thanindividual churches (though some large inner-city churches, known as Central Halls,designated as circuitsthemselves). Most circuits have many fewer ministers than churches, andmajorityservicesled by lay local preachers, or by retired ("supernumerary" ministers).

Image:WesleyMemOxford20040124CopyrightKaihsuTai.jpg
Wesley Memorial Church,Methodist churchOxford, whereWesley brothers studied.

Schisms withinoriginal Methodist church,independent revivals, led toformation ofnumberseparate denominations calling themselves Methodist. The largestthese werePrimitive Methodist church, deriving fromrevival at Mow CopStaffordshire, andUnited Methodist Church (not connected withAmerican denomination ofsame name, butuniontwo smaller denominations). The original church became known asWesleyan Methodist Churchdistinguishfrom these bodies. The three major streamsBritish Methodism united1933formcurrent Methodist ChurchBritain.

Methodism inUnited States

The first American Methodist Bishop was Francis Asbury, whose boyhood home, Bishop Asbury Cottage,Sandwell, England,nowmuseum. After Asbury was consecrated by Wesley, heother leaders formedMethodist Episcopal ChurchAmerica atBaltimore Christmas Conference1784. Circuit riders, manywhich were laymen, traveled by horsebackpreachgospelestablish churches until therescarcely any crossroad communityAmerica withoutMethodist expressionChristianity.

Disputes over slavery placedchurchdifficulty infirst half of1800s, withnorthern church leaders fearful ofsplit withSouth,reluctanttakestand. The Wesleyan Methodists andFree Methodist Churches were formed by stauch abolitionists, andFree Methodists were especially active inUnderground Railroad, which helpedfreeslaves. Finally, inmuch larger split,1845 at Louisville,churches ofslaveholding states formed The Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The northernsouthern branches were reunited1939, when slavery was no longer an issue. In this merger also joinedMethodist Protestant church. Some southerners, conservativetheology,strongly segregationist, opposedmerger,formedSouthern Methodist Church1940.

The United Methodist Church was formed1968 asresult ofmerger betweenEvangelical United Brethren andMethodist Church. The former church had resulted from mergersseveral groupsGerman Methodist heritage There was no longer any need or desireworship inGerman language. The merged church had approximately 9 million members as oflate 1990s. WhileUnited Methodist ChurchAmerica has been shrinking, associated groupsdeveloping countriesgrowing rapidly.

American Methodist churchesgenerally organized onconnectional model, related but not identicalthat usedBritain. Ministersassignedchurches by bishops, distinguishingfrom presbyterian government. Methodist denominations typically give lay members representation at regionalnational meetings (conferences) at whichbusiness ofchurchconducted, makingdifferent from episcopalian government. This connectional organizational model differs further fromcongregational model,exampleBaptist,Congregationalist Churches, among others.

In addition toUnited Methodist Church, thereover 40 other denominations that descend from John Wesley's Methodist movement. Some, such asAfrican Methodist Episcopal Church,Free Methodists andWesleyan Church (formerly Wesleyan Methodist),explicitly Methodist. Others do not call themselves Methodist, butrelatedvarying degrees. The Salvation Army was founded by William Booth,former Methodist. It derives someits theology from Methodism. Another related denomination isChurch ofNazarene. Some ofcharismatic or pentecostal churches such asPentecostal Holiness Church andAssembliesGod also have rootsor draw from Wesleyan thought.

The Holiness Revival was primarily among peopleMethodist pursuasion, who felt thatchurch had once again become apathetic, losingWesleyan zeal. Some important eventsthis revival werewritingsPhoebe Palmer duringmid-1800s,establishment offirstmany holiness camp meetings at Vineland, New Jersey1867, andfoundingAsbury College, (1890),other similar institutions inUS aroundturn of20th century.

Other countries

In Australia,Methodist Churchone ofgroups withinUniting Church
In Canada,Methodist Church merged withPresbyterian Church andnumberother groupsformUnited ChurchCanada.
Theresmall Methodist Churchesmany European countries,strongest beingGermany. These mostly derive from links withAmerican rather thanBritish church.
The strongest Methodist church inworldprobably nowSouth Korea. Theremany Korean-language Methodist churchesNorth America, cateringKorean-speaking immigrants.
A high proportion ofPolynesian populationFijiMethodists.
Missionaries from Britain, America,Australia founded Methodist churchesmany Commonwealth countries. Thesenow independentmanythemstronger thanformer "mother" churches
Almost all Methodist churchesmembers ofconsultative body calledWorld Methodist Council, which has its headquarters at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, USA.