Now that our blog is open for comments (thanks, Steve Cusumano and tech. team!), let's talk about John Wesley and the people called "Methodists". What is as Methodist, anyway?
Wesley provided a brief review in a pamphlet called The Character of a Methodist, published in 1742 as the movement was spreading across England. He said "A Methodist is one who has 'the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost given unto him' [Romans 5:5]; one who 'loves the Lord his God with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his mind, and with all his strength' [Mark 12:30]." He goes on to describe various attibutes, or "marks", of a Methodist.
Love of God with all the heart. That's number one. Wesley also said that Methodists are "a people who profess to pursue (in whatsoever measure they have attained) holiness of heart and life." -- from Advice to a People Called Methodists.
Love of God with all our heart. Holiness of heart -- and life. What does this mean for us today, as lay leaders in the 21st century church?
I look forward to your comments.