Why Methodist

An ordained Anglican minister until he died, John Wesley's mission was to take the love of God to everyone. At that time, in many places the established Church of England was not reaching out to those in greatest need, especially those in the rapidly growing urban areas where the Industrial Revolution was hungry for cheap labour.

Wesley did not intend to found a separate church as he was more concerned that Methodism should be a missionary movement within the Church of England. But the separation became inevitable when, in order to maintain and to preserve the Methodist Societies he had set up during his years of constant travelling throughout the land, Wesley ordained men who would carry on and expand the work. This was the step which marked the final separation from the Church of England.

By the time of Wesley's death in 1791 there were 70,000 Methodists in England, America, the West Indies and Continental Europe. Methodists since that time have continued to see their mission as sharing God's love to those in need and in their struggle for justice.

'Methodism encourages links between its churches, recognizing the significant benefits in being part of a national movement. This, in Methodism, is called the Connexion. The Church is governed by the Methodist Conference - a democratically elected body that meets annually.'

(from the official website of the Methodist Church Great Britain

If you are looking for a simple history of Methodism look at: http://www.methodistchildren.org.uk/children/methstory.htm

click on the 5-8yrs section

2007 will celebrate two significant anniversaries in Methodism.

Charles Wesley, brother of John, was born in December 1707. He was certainly one of the greatest and most prolific hymn writers and poets of this country.

"Hark the herald angels sing", "Love divine all loves excelling" and "Lo! he comes with clouds descending" are but three of his most popular hymns.

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On the 31st May 1807 the first "Camp" meeting was held at Mow Cop near Stoke on Trent which heralded the formation of Primitive Methodism, a branch of Methodism which brought the gospel to working men and women. The title "Primitive Methodism" was taken by the founders who saw their movement as a return to the authentic beginnings of Methodism in the previous century.

This is what John Wesley affirmed:

All need to be saved	"all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans ch 3:v.23
All can be saved	"God sent His son into the world.. that the world might be saved through Him" (John ch.3 v.17)
All can know they are saved	"The Spirit testifies with our Spirit that we are God's children". Roman ch8 v 16
All may be completely saved	"Therefore He is able to save completely...because He always lives to intercede for them." Hebrews ch 7 v 25.

The Style of worship is known for it's mixture of word and music. Preachers not only teach from the Bible but relate it to everyday life, and Methodists sing the words of their belief to lively and memorable music.

At the heart of worship is the service of Holy Communion. We meet at the Lord's table and when we eat bread and drink wine together we remember the meal Jesus shared with his disciples before his death, and we receive His spirit into our lives. It is a table open to all who come in thankfulness for the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

A service unique to Methodism and usually taking place in January, is the annual Covenant Service. It is a recommitment to God's call. The Covenant asks us to make some difficult promises where we renew our willingness for God to do with us whatever he wants, whether that makes us important or insignificant, rich or poor. We offer all we have to God because of his love for us.

Here is John Wesley's Rule for Christian Living

Do all the Good You Can

By All the Means You Can,

In All the Ways You Can,

In All the Places You Can,

At All the Times You Can,

To All the People You Can,

As Long as Ever You Can

And here are his thoughts on "The use of Money".

Gain all you can, Save all you can, Give all you can.

In the heading you will see the heraldic device of the Orb and Cross which has been chosen by the Methodist Church to express the deepest beliefs of the Church.

The Orb represents the world and the colour red the conviction of Methodist Christians that through the power of the Holy Spirit all humanity may be saved. The Orb bears a white Cross which celebrates the glory of Jesus Christ, risen as the Saviour of the world, and stretching out to all. The whole logo in symbolic form summarizes the Mission and Message of Methodism.

To find out more about the Methodist Church in UK visit our links page

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