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The Story of American Methodism: Part One

The Story of American Methodism: Part One. Early American Methodism. 1784: A Pivotal Year . American Revolution Research on the Episcopacy of the Early Church by Wesley Continued adherence of the Anglican Tradition and its ecclesiastic doctrine Adherence to Ordaination.

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The Story of American Methodism: Part One

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  1. The Story of American Methodism: Part One Early American Methodism

  2. 1784: A Pivotal Year • American Revolution • Research on the Episcopacy of the Early Church by Wesley • Continued adherence of the Anglican Tradition and its ecclesiastic doctrine • Adherence to Ordaination

  3. Itinerancy as Basic Principle • “As long as I am alive,” stated Wesley, “the Methodist itinerant will itinerate.” • American Methodism designed to reach people who were not being reached by other Christian movements and to win souls for Christ.

  4. Other Fundamentals to Wesley • Priesthood of all believers • Primacy of Scripture • Christian Perfection • Justification by Faith • Catholic (universal) Church • Communion of Saints (believers) • Committed Discipleship through commitment to works of piety

  5. Concerning the American Situation • Wesley never an advocate for the American Revolution • Governments considered human-oriented models of community structured from the fabric of original sin • However, freedom from sin should translate into freedom from oppression

  6. On Most Issues… • …Wesley sided with the Tories. • Exception: The Evil of Slavery • Thomas Coke (known as Dr. Coke to most American Methodists) agreed with Wesley on this count. • Wesley not an advocate for free enterprise but did contend that individuals held some responsibility

  7. Early American Beginnings • Date from 1760s • All Protestant movements had roots in Europe • Diversity the key feature of colonial religion; no single religious tradition held sway • Early Methodists encountered numerous religious beliefs and practices

  8. Great Awakening • Begins in 1740s • Characterized the Early American Religious experience • Heightened focus on individual repentance from sin and death • Religious enthusiasm and emotional revivalism • “Deep Moving” of Holy Spirit

  9. Outcomes of the First Great Awakening • Enhancement of missionary spirit of American Protestant movements • Formation of Higher Education (perhaps as a corrective to the emotional revivalism and poor preparation of lay preachers) • Forged a political system that advocated tolerance of religious opinion and action

  10. Early Lay Leadership • Robert Strawbridge of Maryland (1766) • Formed first Methodist Society in America (according to Asbury) • Taught, preached and administered the Sacraments without formal permission • 1773, Strawbridge granted special dispensation for his ministry

  11. Early Lay Leadership • William Watters and Freeborn Garrettson become lay preachers after encountering Strawberry • Barbara Heck at John Street Methodist Episcopal Church in New York recognized as first woman lay woman (1766) • Betty, a slave “girl”, takes on responsibility in same Class as Heck

  12. Early Lay Leadership • Another lay leader, Thomas Taylor, writes to Wesley, encouraging more experienced leadership; somebody to train and direct the lay preachers. • 1766: Wesley appoints a few missionary pastors to train lay leaders of American societies.

  13. Early Lay Leadership • Peter Williams, one of the earliest slaves who provided leadership in a New York Methodist Society. After seven years, church “bought” Williams and set him free. Williams saw the purchase as a “loan” and paid the church back.

  14. Early Lay Leadership • Thomas Webb preached in New York, Long Island and Philadelphia • Helped organize the Philadelphia Society (1767) and preached at St. George’s Church (1769), one of the oldest Methodist structures still in existence.

  15. Missionary Preachers Arrive • 1769, Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmore arrive in Philadelphia. • Sent in response to Thomas Taylor’s letter. • Pilmore makes significant contribution to development of Colonial Methodism (see pp. 71-72)

  16. Missionary Preachers Arrive • 1771, Francis Asbury and Richard Wright arrive • 1773, Thomas Rankin and George Shadford • Asbury and Rankin at odds, Rankin returns to Great Britain in 1778 • Contrariwise, Asbury and Shadford characterized as “David with Jonathan”

  17. Missionary Preachers Arrive • 1774, James Dempster and Martin Rodda arrive. • Rooda returns to England after three years, due in part to his position as a royalist.

  18. Factors of Early Growth • Seen in conjunction with Church of England • Disrupted in some areas by the Revolution • Effectiveness of some lay preachers help movement to proper in Virginia and Maryland • Presence of Congregational and Presbyterian churches hurts

  19. First Annual Conference • St. George’s Church in July, 1773 • Lasted three days • Attended by ten lay preachers • Affirmed affiliation with Church of England • Affirmed prohibition of lay preachers administering sacraments • Since then, Annual Conference held every year into the present

  20. Issues Facing the Post-Revolution Methodists • Itinerancy • Wesley’s Authority • Methodist’s relationship with other colonial churches • The Question of slavery • Discipline (polity) • English vs. Native preachers • Social Reform Issues

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