Strangely Warmed

Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it —not for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. 1 Peter 5:1-4  First Peter belongs to the Catholic Epistles, or the writings located near end of the New Testament. In earlier generations they were denigrated – mostly by Protestant academics – for their churchiness and what scholars called “early Catholicism”. They don’t reflect the revolutionary moral brilliance of the gospels, nor the radical proclamation of faith alone found in Paul’s letters.    I have come to love the Catholic Epistles, however, precisely because of the...

There is only one condition previously required of those who desire admission into these societies: “a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins.” But wherever this is really fixed in the soul it will be shown by its fruits. It is therefore expected of all who continue therein that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation, ....   *  *  * In their original form, the General Rules of the Methodist Church were a kind of living prayer. Conforming to the Rules was not a means to earn God's favor. Neither were the Rules a prescription for virtuous and praiseworthy living in general. They were not even a roadmap for living gratefully and joyfully in response to what God had done. Rather, they were a way for people "deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly groaning for redemption" to wait actively and expectantly before God. Wesleyan Christians don't believe that anyone saves themselves. From the beginning to the end, w...

After retiring last month from military service as an Army chaplain, I was able to attend my first district preachers meeting in 27 years last week. The district superintendent spent most of the meeting reminding us of Methodism's earliest means of making disciples. John Wesley, he recalled, organized Methodists into societies, classes and bands. Methodism was primarily an activity empowered by lay leaders. It was a movement, not a church. Participation in Methodist activities did not replace ordinary Christian worship, but supplemented it. Wesley also expected Methodists to attend weekly divine worship and receive communion in their local parishes. The purpose of the Methodist organization was to assist members in opening their lives to the transforming power of God. The society was the "big meeting" level of Methodist organization. Societies met together weekly for prayer, teaching, preaching and singing.  Societies also regularly conducted love feasts, a ritualiz...