|
JOHN & CHARLES WESLEY
(March 3) are remembered as the founders of the Methodist Church but,
ironically, both opposed the formation of a new Church and both remained
Anglican priests throughout their long lives. “Methodism” was just that—a method
for living a Christian life in the Church of England based on a strict adherence
to the Book of Common Prayer.
During the first half of the
eighteenth century, the overall life of the Church of England was at the lowest
point in its history. Bishops and their clergy quite neglected the decline in
parish worship and ministry while also disregarding the plight of the working
classes. It was in this climate that John and Charles took their studies at
Oxford. There they formed a group of friends for the daily observances of a
faithful life. The group’s daily discipline earned them the name “Methodists”.
John and Charles were ordained
priests in 1728 and 1735 (respectively). In 1735 they went to Georgia, John
serving as a missionary and Charles as secretary to Governor Ogelthorpe.
Returning to England in 1738, they separately experienced a strong inner
conversion (three days apart) while meeting with Moravian Christians. Thus their
ministries were reborn. The great evangelical revival that they led over many
decades revitalized parish congregations and greatly deepened personal
commitment to Christian life for tens of thousands of people. Ministry to the
poor and the working classes came to the fore. The Methodist split from the
Church of England after John’s death in 1791. |
