Methodism
The Methodist Movement
The Anglican Pastor, John Wesley (1703-1791)
(believed humanity should live according to the method of life laid down in the Bible)
and his brother Charles (1701-1788) were Church of England missionaries to the colony of Georgia.
Their mission was far from a success and both returned to England disillusioned and discouraged.
In the years following, the Wesley’s succeeded in leading a lively renewal movement in the Church of England.
As this movement (Methodism) grew, their ministry spread to the American colonies.
The Methodist Church
Methodism in America began as a Lay movement led by:
Robert Strawbridge, Philip Emury, Barbara Heck, and Captain Tomas Webb.
John Wesley sent two of his Lay Preachers, Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmore to America in 1769.
Two years later Richard Wright and Francis Asbury were sent to strengthen the growing American Methodist societies.
The first conference of the Methodist preachers in the colonies was held in Philadelphia in 1773.
In 1784, the famous Christmas Conference of preachers was held in Baltimore at Lovely Lane Chapel
to chart the future course of the movement in America.
In the years following the Methodist Episcopal Church:
Published its first Discipline (1785), ordering itself for ministry
Adopted a quadrennial General Conference (where all Methodists would meet together every four years)
Drafted a constitution
Refined its structure
Established a publishing house
And became a huge proponent of revivalism and the Camp Meeting
Through the early 1800’s, the Second Great Awakening among Protestants took place in America.
Camp meetings and revivals brought many people to Jesus Christ.
Methodist Circuit Riding Preachers and Lay Pastors knit these people into a connection of believers.
John Wesley was a strong opponent of slavery.
But there was tension deep in Methodism over slavery and America, along with Methodism, was torn in two.
A plan of separation was adopted and The Methodist Episcopal Church South was formed.
It would be over one hundred years before the church came back together.
In 1939:
The Methodist Episcopal Church
The Methodist Episcopal Church South
And the Methodist Protestant Church merged to form
The Methodist Church with 7.7 million members
In 1968:
The Methodist Church
And The Evangelical United Brethren Church merged to form
The United Methodist Church with approximately 11 million members.
