Through the initiation of John Wesley (Apostle), Charles Wesley (Prophet) and George Whitefield (Evangelist) the methodist movement spread all over Britain and beyond within a generation.
John Wesley was an organizational genius and understood the social dynamics of various size groupings and mobilised these to great effect.
this was a fluid system that adopted and adapted various forms
Here is some of the infrastructure of the movement:
- Annual Connexional Meetings
This was a national network of networks (all of the classes, societies, districts, circuits and circuit riders and local preachers met together once a year to make strategic decisions).
- Districts
usually between 1-3 counties were organized into district administration
- Circuits
City/County-Wide circuit riders travelled from preaching spot to preaching spot adding new people to the movement
- United Societies
All the societies in a city would meet together from time to time for mutual encouragement and corporate worship
- Societies
All the classes in an area/town would gather together weekly
- Classes
12 people met together weekly (usually in homes) to pray and study the word. this was the real strength of the movement
- Bands
5 or less people of the same sex would meet to confess sins. Wesley hoped that all Methodists would meet in bands (but not all did!)
This is an interesting outline of the early history of Methodism. Thanks for publishing it here, Peter. But sadly Methodism didn’t last – at least not in its original vigorous form. Any lasting movement must be based on more than good methods and organisation. John Wesley’s new teachings were initiated by the Lord, but as the years passed the movement became less receptive to fresh inspiration and guidance. For more on this see http://blog.scilla.org.uk/2009/12/movements-long-term-success.html
Some great insights Chris! Alas, most movements don’t last in their initial vigorous form.
This has been true of many movements throughout Christian history- I can think of several that have originated in Britain- St. Patrick and the Early Celtic Saints, John Wycliffe and the Lollards, George Fox and the Quakers, William and Catherine Booth and the Salvation Army and The Jeffries Brothers and the Pentecostal Movement to name but a few
Why don’t movements last in their initial vigorous form?Could it be that what is needed at the beginning of a movement changes as the movement grows from birth to adolescence and onto adulthood?
Movements, like the Methodists, often begin with many new people becoming disciples of Christ! But as the movement develops, the needs of the new believers changes!
Another reason may be that as a movement reaches it’s death or decline, it rejects the very people and insights needed to bring new things to (re)birth!
In movements, there are many innovations that fit a particular culture. The approaches to outreach and corporate worship are suited to their time. When these cultural approaches become ‘traditions’ handed down they seem to become old wineskins that are in need of refreshing 2 generations down the line.
Anything man-made has a limited shelf-life, as do forms that relate to their particular time and culture
However there does seem to be Biblical principles that can be wrestled with in our generation that relate to the people of God meeting in various ways for various purposes.
For example the Early followers of the Way:
met from house to house (Acts 2:42-47)
but were also united as one church in the city
were sent out in 2’s (Matt 10/Luke 10) or teams (Acts 13-19)
were equipped by apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the work of ministry (Eph 4:11)
The Work of Mission seemed to involve:
People Groups:Paul chosen as the apostle to the Gentiles
Pete as the apostle to the Jews and so on
Regions:The gospel spread throughout Asia from the base of Ephesus
The gospel spread throughout Greece through the work of saints in Thessalonika and so on
And as in the example of Jesus and the Early Kingdom Movement:
Jesus met often with the 12
Jesus also trained the 72
Jesus spoke to the 500 about the Kingdom
Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables
Jesus met with persons of peace and their households
What can we learn from Jesus, Paul, Peter, St. Patrick, Wycliffe, George Fox and others about gospel movements that can reach and impact a generation?
With over 90% of the population not a part of any church in the UK, and many who have never heard the good news about Jesus Christ, is there a need for a gospel movement in our time?
I’m not so sure the Bands are the Early Methodist equivalent to today’s “Life Groups.”
It’s my understanding that Societies were for those who were following through in accountability and holiness (and were even given a ticket for admittance to the meetings) and the Bands were often penitential — i.e., for those still learning or overcome by the power of sin.
Thanks for the breakdown, though. Usually, Methodist history is wordy and not well presented. 🙂