Today we wrap-up our week-long celebration of John Wesley and the leadership lessons that we can apply to our ministry today. It’s not too late to get your own copy of a brand new resource on Wesley’s Church Growth Principles from Wesley authority Dr. Bob Whitesel (see PS below for all the details.) But first, an excerpt from one of the bonuses you will receive in this resource – Dr. Whitesel’s article on “Traveling in the Hoof Prints of Wesley.”
I recently visited in John Wesley’s haunts, from the high moors of Derbyshire, to the alleys of industrial Sheffield, to the cosmopolitan bustle of City Road in London. Amid these journeys I sought to better understand Wesley’s writings (to which I was kindly provided access to the originals in various locales) and the development of his holism regarding evangelism. Though for months I had been studying the massive reams of his journals, letters, and books, I found his comprehensive view of the Good News become clearer as I trekked into his world.
Wesley lived in a world that was surprisingly not too different from the one we live in today. It was rampant with unethical new technologies that cheapened people, their self-esteem, and their moral values. Compounding the problem, the Church of England had denigrated into parish fiefdoms where pastors amassed private fortunes, catered to society’s elite, and harangued one another over private theological perspectives. Worship services had become uninspiring and lethargic.
The term methodist was used in a derisive manner to slander Wesley and his student friends at Christ Church College in Oxford. They had gained notoriety for attempting to live lives more purposeful and godly. They drafted for themselves rules to help them grow in their Christian spirituality and service:
- To lead a “holy and sober life”
- “To take communion at least one a week”
- “To be faithful in private devotions”
- “To visit the prisons regularly”
- “To spend three hours together every afternoon, studying the Bible and books of devotion.”
One of Wesley’s friends had suggested that the group go to Oxford’s most outcast inhabitants, those who were housed in the nearby XXX prison. This had an amazing effect upon the Holy Club. Eventually Wesley and his friends would even ride with prisoners in the carts on their way to execution, consoling and comforting them.
From his years at prestigious Christi Church College and forward, Wesley would view meeting the needs of society’s most estranged, be they believer or nonbeliever, as a fundamental element of the Good News. Though fellow Oxford students would derogatorily call them “The Holy Club,” their methods of holding each other accountable, receiving the sacraments, and helping the needy only required one more element for their movement to become whole—that was for these young men, who grew up in Christian homes, to experience an inner transformation.
Your partner in ministry,
Nelson
P.S. Get the complete article and hear more from Dr. Whitesel and leadership lessons from Wesley in his brand new resource on The Church Growth Principles of John Wesley. Whitesel will engage you with colorful narratives of his travels across England studying original Wesley writings in the actual locations where Wesley wrote them!
Plus you’ll hear about growing churches today that have recaptured Wesley’s biblical principles and are growing exponentially.
So as an introductory special – so you have the greatest opportunity for success in applying Wesley’s leadership lessons to your own church growth – you can save over 89% – but hurry, it ends today! The total retail value of this package is $1,899.70 – but you can download everything for only $99 TODAY ONLY!
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