Brief Thoughts on the Future of The United Methodist Church

When askes about the origins of Methodism and what priorities in the movement are crucial for the future people will undoubtedly place president on things like pluralism (room for diversity in theology and doctrine), connectionalism, women and minorities’ place in ministry, social action, and Christian perfection (sanctification).  While all of these priorities are crucial to the history of the Methodist movement, I believe the key to it's vitality in the future might hinge on an entirely different priority.

Gonzalez (2001) reports, “When the bishop of Bristol tried to limit his (John Wesley’s) activity, telling him that his itinerant preaching perturbed the order of the parishes, Wesley responded, ‘The world is my parish.’  This belief and its impact on the way ministry was done in the early Methodist movement was a major factor in its success.  The substantial growth of early Methodism in Great Britain is due in part to uniquely responding to new needs brought about by the Industrial revolution (Gonzalez, 2001).  Likewise, Asbury’s unique response to frontier settling led to the quick spread of the Methodist movement in colonial America.  An uncanny knack for meeting needs largely ignored by other religious institutions is what birthed The Methodist movement and led to the forming of the United Methodist Church.  Considering the declining participation in today’s Western world United Methodist church, this is a lost art that must be mastered again, if The United Methodist Church is going to continue to be a powerful force for the Kingdom of God.

Gonzalez, G.L. (2001). The story of Christianity: The early church to present day. 2^nd edition. Peabody, MA: Prince Press.