Andy's Blog: A Personal Word

April 9, 2008

Apr. 9, 2008

Every now and then someone will ask me, “Why are we called Methodists?” It’s a good question. Methodist is a rather odd name for a denomination. Say “Church of Christ” – there’s a name that’s self-explanatory. The Presbyterians get their name from their form of church government based upon the New Testament word “presbyter.” Lutherans have Martin Luther to thank for their name. Even those “non-denominational community” churches sound a bit more user friendly than “Methodist.”

So what is it with this name? Well, actually it began as a term of derision. When John Wesley (our Martin Luther) was a professor/student at Oxford University in England, he started a Bible study/prayer group which he called the “Holy Club.” This group met frequently for study, prayer, and acts of service. They did strange things like receive communion weekly, visit the city prison, give a portion of their meager funds for widows and children and held each other accountable for their Christian walk. Other students began to make fun of them, calling them “Bible moths” and “Methodists” because they were so methodical in their faith. The name Methodist stuck and became the brand name for a Christian movement which now encompasses more than 50 million people around the world.

Wesley’s intention from the beginning was practical – how do we live as Christians?  Methodism did not begin in a theological disagreement, but in an attempt to bring the Gospel to bear on life. Our DNA has been a vital link between Christian doctrine and Christian living – talking the talk AND walking the walk. 

To help in walking the walk, Wesley developed “rules for Christian living.” He knew that we needed help to live a good and holy life in a world such as ours. His intent was to foster those Christian practices that would lead to faithfulness and to the way of Jesus.

Some of the specific injunctions sound quaint to us today, but they are all summed up under three basic rules: 1) Do no harm 2) Do good 3) Stay in love with God. For Methodist Christians, these three “rules” offer a basic pattern for the Christian life that is as valid now as it was in Wesley’s day. 

Join us over the next three weeks for a Sermon Series entitled “The Method.”

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