“. . . while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed.” John Wesley, May 24, 1738

This Sunday is known throughout Methodism as “Aldersgate Sunday.” It’s also called “Heritage Sunday.” We United Methodists have a very strong heritage. Methodism formed out of an attempt by John Wesley to “reform” the Church of England. At the time of his birth (1703), about 15% of the population was actively part of a worshiping community. To say that a malaise pervaded the church would be an understatement!

Wesley was one of twenty-two children born to Samuel and Susannah Wesley. His father was the rector of St. Andrew’s in Epworth, and John was raised – primarily by his mother, to be an Anglican priest. While he did become one, he never “fit in” with the way the Anglican Church lived out the gospel. Mr. Wesley was kicked out of the church and not allowed to preach in it. Once, he preached while standing on his father’s grave in the cemetery at St. Andrew’s!

Wesley preached in the fields and open places to many people who otherwise might not have heard the gospel. In his life he traveled over 250,000 miles, all via horseback. Needless to say, in his travels he preached thousands of sermons (and some are recorded in two volumes of his works), often to multiple groups in one day. He preached social holiness and the need to conform one’s life to gospel of Jesus Christ and the need for spreading the gospel far and wide. In responding once to a question to his parish, he said, “The world is my parish.”

Until I joined the United Methodist Church, I’ll admit that I knew little to nothing about John Wesley. In fact, I knew little to nothing about Methodism in general. About all I knew from my early life was that my cousins were Methodists, and I’m not sure they really knew what that meant. It wasn’t until our family were members at Windcrest UMC in San Antonio that finally I took a class in what it means to be a United Methodist. The class was led by Rev. Ray Davis, associate pastor at the church. It was an eye opener, to say the least.

I’m proud of my heritage as a United Methodist and as a United Methodist pastor. My ordination can be traced back to John Wesley through Bishop Ray Owen, the bishop who ordained me. As United Methodists, we have a rich history. While we might be experiencing some turmoil at the current time, I believe that the church is strong enough to withstand whatever winds and currents that may assail it. Despite divisions we may have, deep down, at our very core, we are follower of Jesus Christ first and committed United Methodists.

On this day, may we remember our roots, and may we celebrate who we are. And may we follow Wesley’s (and Jesus’ command, too) to make the world our parish. The world is in desperate need of hearing the good news of Jesus Christ. And we are those who are called to spread that word. See you on the road!

Grace and peace,

Mike

May 21, 2017