How to welcome Methodists into your Congregation
How can I help those coming to my parish from the UMC?
Methodists are already theologically quite close to Episcopalians, and they will not need the same theological instruction that someone coming from no religious background will require to feel included in a new Christian community. The vast majority of Methodists coming to your parish will already be well-formed, mature Christians. In addition to this, the Wesleyan theology of Methodists with axial themes of grace and holiness, their history of acts among the poor, a bend toward evangelism, frugality, and adaptability are things the Episcopal Church will benefit from having in their membership.
This being said, Methodists will have to adapt to the culture and worship of the Episcopal Church and the congregations they attend, will likely experience some confusion with new vocabulary, different liturgical expressions, and depending on the context of their previous Methodist home – a different style of worship entirely. As a pastoral part of this, many Methodists are hurting and suffering from deeply inflicted trauma as part of the split. Methodists tend to value personal relationships with their clergy, other parish members, and communal projects and events. Being able to guide, love and lean on the strengths of Methodists throughout their Episcopal formation will help you welcome, care for, and integrate Methodists into your Parish.
What needs to Methodists have?
Just like any other religious tradition, the people within Methodism are diverse. Many Methodists right now are in need of stability after years of tumultuous denominational politics and continual debate around human sexuality. Others are in need of pastoral care in the wake of religious trauma. Others may have experienced Parish closures or consolidation, or internal conflict. Deeper than this, a byproduct of the split has been an identity crisis within Methodism of a liturgical, sacramental, and theological nature, and Methodists may have questions on deeper levels about some of these issues.
Methodists will not feel welcome without some way of deeper involvement. The Methodist movement as a whole has an emphasis on doing the work of the church. Quickly involving them with a ministry of the church, a small group, an outreach opportunity, etc., is a best practice. Above all, talking with them and figuring out their individual needs and testimony will help you disciple and care for them more deeply.
Will Methodists need Baptism, Confirmation, and/or Reception?
The vast majority of Methodists will already be baptized. Talk with your Bishop about whether the person intending to join your parish will require Confirmation or Reception. You may point your Bishop to the Interim Communion Sharing Agreement as part of the theological basis for their decision.
Wesleyan Theology: The Basics
Grace
Grace, from a Wesleyan theological perspective, is the unmerited and undeserved favor of God given to humanity through Jesus Christ. It is a gift of God's love and mercy that allows us to be reconciled to him and receive eternal life (justifying grace). According to Wesleyan theology, grace is not something that we can earn or deserve, but it is given freely to us through faith in Jesus Christ. It is the means by which we are saved from our sin and reconciled to God. This grace is offered to all people, and it is up to us to accept it through faith. Wesleyan theology emphasizes the role of prevenient grace, which is the grace of God that goes before us and draws us to himself. This grace enables us to respond to the call of the gospel and receive the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Wesleyans also believe in the concept of sanctifying grace, which is the grace of God that transforms us and helps us to grow in holiness and righteousness. This grace enables us to live a life pleasing to God and to fulfill our calling as his children. Overall, grace is a central concept in Wesleyan theology and is seen as the foundation of our salvation and our relationship with God. It is a reminder of God's love and mercy, and it serves as a constant source of hope and strength for believers.
Holiness
Holiness, from a Wesleyan theological perspective, refers to a state of being set apart for God and dedicated to his service. It is a term that describes the character and nature of God, and it is also something that God desires for his people. According to Wesleyan theology, holiness is not something that we can achieve on our own, but it is a gift of God's grace that is given to us through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a process of becoming more like Jesus and being transformed by the Holy Spirit. Wesleyans believe that holiness is not just a matter of external behavior, but it involves the transformation of the entire person – heart, mind, and soul. It is a way of living that is characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Holiness is not something that is attained overnight, but it is a journey that involves ongoing growth and transformation. It requires a deep commitment to following Jesus and living in obedience to his commands. In Wesleyan theology, holiness is seen as essential for living a fulfilling and meaningful life. It is a way of being that brings us closer to God and helps us to experience his presence and love more fully. It is also a way of living that enables us to be a blessing to others and to be a witness to the love and grace of God.
Wesleyan Quadralateral
The Wesleyan Quadrilateral is a method of theology that was developed by John Wesley, the founder of the Wesleyan movement. It is a way of approaching the study of theology that emphasizes the importance of considering four sources of authority: scripture, tradition, reason, and experience.
According to the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, these four sources of authority are all interconnected and should be considered together in the process of understanding and interpreting the Christian faith. Wesley believed that each of these sources was important in its own right and that they should be balanced and integrated in order to arrive at a deeper understanding of God and his will.
The Anglican three-legged stool is a similar approach to theology that emphasizes the importance of considering three sources of authority: scripture, tradition, and reason. Like the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, the Anglican three-legged stool emphasizes the importance of considering multiple sources of authority in the process of understanding and interpreting the Christian faith.
One key difference between the Wesleyan Quadrilateral and the Anglican three-legged stool is that the Wesleyan Quadrilateral includes the concept of experience as a source of authority. Wesley believed that our own personal experiences of God and his presence were an important aspect of understanding and interpreting the Christian faith. The Anglican three-legged stool, on the other hand, does not include experience as a source of authority.
Social Holiness
Social holiness, from a Wesleyan theological perspective, refers to the idea that our faith in Jesus should be reflected in the way we live our lives and interact with others, especially those who are marginalized or oppressed. It is a belief that our faith should inspire us to work for justice and to show love and compassion to all people, regardless of their social status or background.
According to Wesleyan theology, social holiness is an important aspect of the Christian life and is closely related to the concept of personal holiness, which is the process of becoming more like Jesus and being transformed by the Holy Spirit. Wesleyans believe that our faith should inspire us to live lives that are marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, as described in Galatians 5:22-23.
Wesleyans also believe that social holiness is closely tied to the concept of social justice, which is the idea that all people should have equal access to the opportunities and resources that they need to thrive. This includes working to eliminate systemic forms of oppression and discrimination, such as racism, poverty, and injustice.
Social holiness is an important aspect of Wesleyan theology and is seen as a way of living out our faith in a way that reflects the love and compassion of Jesus. It is a way of being a witness to the gospel and of bringing hope and healing to the world.
Christian Perfection
Christian perfection, from a Wesleyan theological perspective (though closely related to Theosis or divinization), refers to the process of becoming more and more like Jesus and being transformed by the Holy Spirit.
According to Wesleyan theology, Christian perfection is not something that we can achieve on our own, but it is a gift of God's grace that is given to us through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a process of ongoing growth and transformation that involves becoming more and more aligned with the will of God and becoming more like Jesus in our thoughts, words, and actions.
Wesleyans believe that Christian perfection is not a state of sinless perfection, but it is a process of becoming more and more conformed to the image of Jesus. It is a way of living that is marked by a deep love for God and for others, and it involves a commitment to living in obedience to God's commands and to following the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Christian perfection is not something that is achieved overnight, but it is a journey that involves ongoing growth and transformation. It requires a deep commitment to following Jesus and to living in a way that reflects his love and grace to the world.
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