Jonathan Andersen

A young pastor in an old denomination

UMC

What is a Methodist? – Part 2

About a year ago I asked a group of people at my church: “What is a Methodist?”

I discovered that it’s a simple question that’s difficult to answer.

The group gave lots of good answers, and throughout my class–Methodism 101–I tried to help develop a solid answer myself. In six short weeks we made some progress in answering the question, but I still wasn’t satisfied.

I wasn’t satisfied with my formulations and all the books out there trying to answer the question until I recently heard Dr. Joe Dongell of Asbury Seminary give his answer.

Speaking at the New Room Conference (the best conference for people in ministry I’ve ever attended), Dr. Dongell informed the crowd that he had read through all 14 volumes of John Wesley’s Works (Thomas Jackson edition) in the last five years.

Twice.

That’s 14,000 pages.

From this adventure, he had come up with a list of 12 distinctives that identified “the people called Methodists” when they were a movement and distinctives that should continue to identify Christians in the Methodist / Wesleyan tradition today.

According to Dr. Dongell, a Methodist / Wesleyan is:

1. A person of “one book” (homo unius libri). The scriptures are highly valued and form the foundation for all theology and doctrine.

2. One who values reason, tradition, and experience as lenses through which they seek to understand and apply scripture to their lives and the church.

3. Arminian in their theology. They believe that God created us in his image, frees our sinful wills through prevenient grace, and desires us to cooperate with his work of grace in our lives.

4. One who has an optimistic view of salvation. They believe God’s grace draws us to himself, justifies us, sanctifies us, and will one day glorify us in eternity.

5. One who believes in Christian Perfection—that Christians can live holy lives free from willful disobedience to God on this side of eternity by the power of God’s grace.

6. Convicted that all progress in the Christian life comes through the means of grace—especially Holy communion.

7. Convicted that all progress in the Christian life must also come through the company of other believers.

8. One who believes that God desires all to be saved. They know God’s prevenient grace is calling all people to himself and therefore Christians must proclaim the message to all people as well.

9. One who attends to the poor and marginalized so that their suffering in body and soul can be relieved.

10. One who believes that God’s desire is to assure believers of their salvation through the inward witness of the Holy Spirit.

11. One who believes that God seeks to renew our intellect, wills, and affections. They have a holistic view of salvation.

12. One who cultivates relationships and seeks to be one with Christians of all stripes.

Pretty comprehensive.

And this was an aside in his amazing talk. His keynote was about a common theme that he found throughout all of Wesley’s works—the operational center of all of Wesley’s thought: Love.

Perhaps that’s number thirteen: One who has the love of God in their hearts, loves God with everything, and shares that love with all those around them. After all, that’s how John Wesley typically summarized a Methodist.

What would you add or take away?

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The letter I sent to parents of new 6th graders considering Confirmation

Parents of new 6th graders,

Me in middle school. Yes, that’s an Old Navy Tech Vest.

I still remember when I entered 6th grade. During those first few months, I spent 30 minutes+ every day gelling my hair in the mirror and making sure I picked out an outfit that the other kids would think was cool. I wore the coolest shoes that I could find (and that my parents would pay for). I walked the halls with my new backpack while trying to avoid the 8th graders. And I was always afraid that one of my fellow 6th graders might discover who I was deep down–scared, super self-conscious, and unsure of myself.

I don’t remember when I stopped having those feelings.

After all, they still creep into my life today.

But I do remember one person who helped me begin to move from fear to love, self-consciousness to Christ-centeredness, uncertainty about who I was to confidence in who God created me to be.

That man was Don–my first small group leader at my youth group.

Don was an average joe. He spent his early years in the military and later went back to college as a second-career student. He was divorced. He drove an old Jeep Wrangler.

What made Don far above average for me was that he showed up each week to help me learn about who God was and how much Jesus loved me. I asked him every question I could think of, and while he didn’t always have the answer, he welcomed the conversation. I used to do annoying middle school things like pulling chairs out from under people, and yet he still came back every week. I used to tell him stuff I’d never tell my parents, and he’d simply remind me that God loves us no matter what and always wants to forgive us.

I think having a time and space where 6th graders can be themselves, learn about who God is and who God wants them to be, ask questions, and have encouragement along the way is something that every 6th grader needs. It was transformative for me, and it’s one of the main reasons I’m excited to be a part of the 2014-2015 Decision for Christ class.

If you’re not familiar with Decision for Christ, it is our year long class at Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church to prepare students for Confirmation–the time when they make a public profession of their personal faith in Jesus.

Each week, 6th grade students are invited to a large group teaching session on a topic followed by a week of small group discussion on the topic. They’ll learn about God, Jesus, the Church, living out their faith, and more.

Countless parents have seen their student’s life transformed before their eyes, and I want the same experience for you.

Fortunately, it all kicks off this Sunday and it’s not too late to register your student and for them to join.

Also, we’d love to have you partner with us and consider being a small group leader for Decision for Christ for the school year.

We have a number of leaders already confirmed, but we want to have each small group be the perfect size for discussion and fun and so we’re hoping and praying for a few more volunteers. You’d be responsible for asking discussion questions we give you each week and for helping to reinforce the lesson taught the week before.

You may think your student wouldn’t want you to be in the same room with them on Sundays (since they tell you that alot already), but I know of no more powerful witness of your faith to your student than by serving in the church in an area like this.

Plus, you could be the next “Don” in some student’s life. You could be someone who helps a student move from fear to love, self-consciousness to Christ-centeredness, uncertainty about who they are to confidence in who God created them to be.

If you’re interested in serving, or have questions about registering for the class, please simply reply to this email or give me a call.

Thanks,
Jonathan

Me & Don. What am I wearing??
Me & Don. Preparing for my 3rd straight win at the annual lip-sync contest.

p.s. Don and I are still friends. I continue to make it a point to seek out his wisdom regarding the important things in life.

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John Wesley’s 12 Rules for Preachers

Long ago when Methodism was still a movement, John Wesley gave his “helpers” a list of 12 rules to follow.

These “helpers” were lay preachers who were just starting to travel around and preach in various places.

I’m sure they were like many people just starting in ministry—hungry for guidance from those who had gone ahead of them, hoping not to make egregious mistakes with people’s souls, and excited about the mission that they were embarking upon.

Since my friends and I fit this same description two years ago when we were all graduating from seminary and being sent off to places around the country to preach, I decided to give them a list of Wesley’s 12 rules to hang in their offices. Of course, I made a copy for myself and it currently hangs on the “Wesley Wall” of my office.

I read over the rules regularly for basic guidance and to remind myself of the serious work to which I’ve been called. While I don’t take all of them literally (see rule number two:confession–sometimes I joke around), I’ve found them extremely helpful these last two years.

John_Wesley_12_Rules

May they guide you today:

Q. 26. What are the rules of a Helper?

1. Be diligent. Never be unemployed a moment. Never be triflingly employed. Never while away time; neither spend any more time at any place than is strictly necessary.

2. Be serious. Let your motto be, “Holiness to the Lord.” Avoid all lightness, jesting, and foolish talking.

3. Converse sparingly and cautiously with women; particularly, with young women.

4. Take no step toward marriage, without first consulting with your brethren.

5. Believe evil of no one; unless you see it done, take heed how you credit it. Put the best construction on every- thing. You know the Judge is always supposed to be on the prisoner’s side.

6. Speak evil of no one; else your word especially would eat as doth a canker. Keep your thoughts within your own breast, till you come to the person concerned.

7. Tell every one what you think wrong in him, and that plainly, as soon as may be; else it will fester in your heart. Make all haste to cast the fire out of your bosom.

8. Do not affect the gentleman. You have no more to do with this character than with that of a dancing-master. A Preacher of the gospel is the servant of all.

9. Be ashamed of nothing but sin: Not of fetching wood (if time permit) or drawing water; not of cleaning your own shoes, or your neighbour’s.

10. Be punctual. Do everything exactly at the time. And in general, do not mend our Rules, but keep them; not for wrath, but for conscience’ sake.

11. You have nothing to do but to save souls. Therefore spend and be spent in this work. And go always, not only to those that want you, but to those that want you most.

Observe: It is not your business to preach so many times, and to take care of this or that society; but to save as many souls as you can; to bring as many sinners as you possibly can to repentance, and with all your power to build them up in that holiness without which they cannot see the Lord. And remember! A Methodist Preacher is to mind every point, great and small, in the Methodist discipline! Therefore you will need all the sense you have, and to have all your wits about you!

12. Act in all things, not according to your own will, but as a son in the Gospel. As such, it is your part to employ your time in the manner which we direct; partly, in preaching and visiting from house to house; partly, in reading, meditation, and prayer. Above all, if you labour with us in our Lord’s vineyard, it is needful that you should do that part of the work which we advise, at those times and places which we judge most for his glory.

The copy I gave to my friends was one that I commissioned. My friend Nate Rauh did an amazing job writing the rules out in script and adding John Wesley’s seal to them. I’d like to share this work of art with you in case you’d like to print a copy for yourself.

You can download this beautiful PDF copy of John Wesley’s rules here.

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What is a Methodist?

I’m teaching a course at my church called Methodism 101. 27 people signed up and have been attending regularly.

The first night of class I was shocked that 27 people–of all ages–signed up for a course on Methodism that had a boring name attached to it. But there they were.

Cade's Cove Methodist Church
Cade’s Cove Methodist Church – Cade’s Cove, TN

Before we began, I asked them to answer one of two simple questions on a notecard: “What is a Methodist?” or “What makes the Methodist church distinctive from others?”

It’s a simple question that is difficult to answer. People have been trying for centuries, and I haven’t found a concise answer that I love–yet.

I don’t have my own answer worked out either, but I’m working on defining what a Methodist is as I prepare and teach this class each week.

I’d love to read your answer to one of the two questions in the comments below!

Below are the responses I received from the class:

  • A Methodist gives of themselves by helping others.
  • The only thing I know is that the Methodist cross has like fire, I think, on it. But I don’t know what it means.
  • It’s a mission church. It does more for the community and other places than any church I’ve been to. It makes you want to serve and volunteer.
  • A Methodist practices social Christian doctrine in each community.
  • Spiritual life intersects all areas of life and four factors are important – scripture, experience, reason and tradition.
  • The Methodist church follows the teachings of John Wesley.
  • It’s a body of believers in Christ that follows a “method” based on what someone’s activities were in college.
  • It’s a good mixture of formal (Episcopal) and informal worship.
  • I believe Methodism is a somewhat conservative religion (but less so than Baptist).
  • A denomination comprised of former Baptists, Catholics, some Jews, Presbyterians and even Methodists–all believing in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
  • It is a Christian church that is open to all, has open communion, and is mission oriented.
  • A Methodist will speak to you in a liquor store. We believe God is not waiting to punish but to love.
  • Of the beliefs I know, I agree with them. I attended both a Methodist and Catholic church for many years. My life is more meaningful being in a Methodist community.
  • The Methodist church believes that grace is given freely by God–does not have to be earned–and it accepts anyone who believes in Jesus.
  • We are open to all without prejudice(s).
  • It seems to me the Methodists are very accepting and welcoming of all.
  • The Methodist church follows principles and practices encouraged by John Wesley and other early leaders of the movement. It is open to anyone, very accepting, and diverse.
  • The Methodist churches I have attended seem less “official” than other denominations. They’re more laid back and accepting. They’re also less judgmental.
  • The open communion table separates Methodists from some of our Christian brothers.

You may have noticed some themes in these answers: mission oriented, John Wesley, openness to people of all Christian backgrounds, and welcoming.

What would you say?

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A prescription for renewal in the UMC

“Our system [the United Methodist Church] produces what it’s created to produce. We get the results we’re set up to get.”

This line was spoken by a pastor during a “whiteboard conversation” on spiritual renewal in the UMC at the Rejuvenate Conference I attended earlier this year. As someone who likes to think about systems, the pastor’s line resonated with me and I wrote it at the top of the page in my notebook. Ever since, I’ve been thinking about it and the conversation that took place among approximately fifty United Methodists from around the country.

During the conversation, Dr. Robin Scott–Superintendent of the Mountain Lakes District in the Northern Alabama Conference and former pastor of Clearbranch UMC–gave a prescription of where he thought the church should head as it seeks renewed vitality and faithfulness. He started by saying that “we need something old, not something new” and then outlined the following prescription. He argued that in order to see spiritual renewal the United Methodist Church must:

1. Have a Kingdom Vision. Our vision must go beyond our churches and denomination.

2. Be faithful to scripture. We must be faithful to scripture since “you can trace the majority of our problems to the temptation to forsake the Word of God.”

3. Make fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Discipleship–not membership–must be our goal. And Christian discipleship must be patterned after the servanthood of Jesus.

4. Be devoted to reaching ALL persons. We can’t be satisfied with being a middle-class white church. In the past we went where the people were and reflected the diversity of the nation.

5. Be committed to raising up the next generation of leaders.

6. Train & equip the next generation of leaders.

7. Support emerging congregations & ministries. New congregations reach more, and new, people as compared to existing congregations and we must make their work a priority.

8. Promote lay ministry at all levels of the Church.

9. Give faithfully. We pride ourselves on not talking about giving, but “we’re robbing our people of the blessings of giving” by not calling people to tithe.

10. Pray. Revival doesn’t come because we pray. But it won’t come unless we pray.

whiteboard

After Dr. Scott’s presentation, each of the tables filled with pastors and laity discussed two main questions. First, we discussed things that the Church must cease for future renewal. Answers from various tables included the ceasing of:

  • Professionalization of clergy
  • Self-preservation
  • Disunity & selfishness
  • Comfort & complacency
  • Theological pluralism
  • Fear
  • Being consumed by culture
  • Lack of commitment

Then, we brainstormed a list of actions that could be taken to move the conversation forward into the systems and structures of local churches and the denomination. Some of these included:

  • Leadership development among clergy
  • Doctrinal clarity
  • Focusing on the lost
  • Thoughtful, humble, dependence on God
  • Discipleship formation & accountability
  • Being in community with the least of these
  • Review our definition of success
  • Cut ties with buildings
  • Review ordination process
  • Slash bureaucracy
  • Be intentional about going to people
  • Focus on literal neighbors–our zip code
  • Start new churches
  • Emphasize intentional discipleship
  • Have covenant relationships
  • Form a more wholistic approach to ministry
  • Develop leaders who develop leaders
  • Begin prayer ministries

Almost six months later I’m still processing the conversation. I’d love for you to process it alongside of me.

What are your thoughts on the ideas generated from the whiteboard conversation?

What would you say the Church needs to cease and start in order to foster spiritual renewal?

Which of these things should be top-priorities?

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