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Why I Love The Wesleyan Church: Apprenticeship

October 10, 2010 — Leave a comment

“He says he’s a pastor, but he hasn’t got any kind of education.”

image: adamsofen/flickr

I was amazed at the disgust in my friend’s voice, himself an ordained Wesleyan pastor.  It was clear not just by what he said but how he said it that a ‘real’ minister is defined by the organized schooling he or she has endured.

Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy learning and am indebted to the kind of education I’ve received in organized environments in the pursuits of diplomas and degrees.  I’m looking forward to continuing my education and hold institutions of higher learning in high regard–especially those operating out of a passion to equip men and women for ministry.  But the attitude that our value or function as ministers is directly related to our (organized) education stands in stark contrast to the way Jesus developed his own followers and the history of The Wesleyan Church.  Jesus utilized an apprenticeship* process whereby he allowed his followers to get to know him & his ways, so they could then be sent out to operate with his authority; this was the definition of ‘discipleship.’

These same disciples were told to make disciples–to raise people up and send them out operating in the authority of Christ.

The heritage of The Wesleyan Church echoes this history–bishops and leaders ordaining others for ministry and sending them out regardless of formal education because there was an ‘apprenticeship’ mindset (and this apprenticeship mindset resulted in fricton with the religious establishment).

Education is important–most of the New Testament was penned by a very educated man.  But had it not been for the transforming power of Jesus, being prepared and sent out, the most effective missionary in history would have died a relatively unknown, but well educated, persecutor of those who were sent.

I love The Wesleyan Church and her heart for holiness, equality, and freedom.  I love our current passion to see our ministry training grounds be effective in academics and praxis — but let us be wary of thinking education makes an apprentice; we just might be surprised at what God does, and who he uses, when we remove the prerequisite of ‘appropriate education’ from effective ministry.

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*For more on ‘apprenticeship’ take a look at the Dave and Jon Ferguson‘s Exponential

This post is part of a series.  Check out the introduction here, as well as parts 1, 2, and 3.

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Why I Love The Wesleyan Church: Freedom

October 4, 2010 — Leave a comment

There is something about the notion of “freedom” which, for those of us brought up in America, brings with it the idea of Founding Fathers breaking away from the tyranny of British rule; “freedom” is an ideal—a philosophical concept which crescendos in our national anthem as we sing of “The Land of the Free/and the home of the brave.”  But, for me, it is easy for ‘freedom’ to remain a mere concept because I have never known the cruelty of actual slavery.

For what would become The Wesleyan Church, the concept of freedom meant something much more than fireworks on the Fourth of July; it meant bringing people out  of the very real, very harsh, very evil clutches of physical slavery—where men, women, and children are bought, sold, traded, and handled as things owned by another person.  The Wesleyan Church’s history in North America is intimately intertwined with the abolitionist movement; the fight for freedom is a very identifiable part of who we are—which is one reason, I believe, we still hold that oft-discussed stance on alcohol: we desire to see individuals, families, and communities free from the bondage of alcoholism (if you don’t believe alcohol is a slave master, you have not endured the abuse, hunger, or darkness brought by the disease).

I love The Wesleyan Church and our history as freedom fighters.  But the fight for freedom cannot simply be a proud chapter in our heritage.  It must remain an outflow of the great work of Jesus Christ and an organic part of our activity as those who preach holiness and equality.  Today, more than ever, the world needs individuals, local churches, and the Church to offer freedom to those who are powerless to find it on their own: from the very real horror of modern physical slavery and human trafficking to those who are enslaved by poverty, addiction, and captive minds, we must recognize slavery as alive and well.

As the Body of the One who came to set captives free, living as Christ means we offer the freedom only Jesus brings, living as modern-day abolitionists at every possible level.

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Note: this post is the third part of a series.
You can read the introduction here, the first post here, and the second in the series here.

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Why I Love The Wesleyan Church: Equality

September 23, 2010 — Leave a comment

As we get ready to welcome our daughter, Jubilee, into the world, I love being part of a church that won’t disqualify her from ministry leadership just because she will be a girl.   I’ve often told my wife that I love the fact she would not be denied the chance to lead in a local church just because God gave her two X instead of an XY chromosonaI combination.  I won’t use this post to defend the Wesleyan stance on women in ministry—there are enough resources dealing with the issue and I don’t really have anything to add that might change your mind if you disagree with the idea.

The Wesleyan Church’s history of being deeply involved in the women’s suffrage movement (even hosting the Seneca Falls Convention) is awesome.  Our push for equality in the era of Jim Crow is something to be proud of.  It seems we really hold to the idea that in the Jesus Kingdom there truly is no male/female, slave/free distinction. We have held high the banner of equality for generations and I hope this continues.

I love that anyone is seen to have the potential for ministry leadership & participation–that women aren’t relegated only to ‘hospitality’ and children’s ministries but have the same potential to take leadership in other areas, be involved in preaching, and pursue ordination in the same manner that a man does.  Again, I know we’re not perfect but we act on the belief Jesus can use anyone he chooses… and more important than gender or background is the condition of a person’s heart.

Still, I hope we aren’t found resting on what our forebears stood for but that we continue to recognize the need to pursue equality today, and recognize this goes further than the issue of women in ministry.  We continue to hold that all persons are understood to have the right to life, whether aged, not-yet-born or somewhere in between; but there are other issues we must lend our voices to, as well.  This will cost us because what is right and what is popular are not always the same, but in doing so, I believe we continue living out the heart of God.

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This post is part 2 of a series.  Read the introduction here and the first post here.

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Why I Love The Wesleyan Church: Holiness

September 21, 2010 — 4 Comments

“Holiness” is a funny word: it can bring to mind strange rules and fiery preachers… and sometimes things are done in the name of ‘holiness’ that make it appear the antithesis of love.  So, please don’t let the topic of this post keep you from going any further.  I freely admit that some of our definitions of holiness are misguided and potentially hurtful; I also admit we’ve been distracted by conversations related to but not central to holiness. Discussion about the Wesleyan stance on alcohol is best left to another post (or ginormous tome).  No, we’re not perfect in how we approach the outward look of holiness… neither am I perfect in how I live, believe, or do life.

But our passion is the truth that the work of Jesus who lived, died, rose again ascended into heaven and even now pleads for us really does make us new.  The impossible call of God’s Spirit to be holy is met by the overwhelming grace of God’s Spirit and we are made such. We really believe a person can be transformed by grace into being exactly who God calls us to be in Scripture.

I tell people I grew up in a home church environment where the ‘flash and pizzaz’ of the Holy Spirit was more the focus than the real power of God’s Spirit, that It wasn’t until my time at Bethany Bible College that I learned of God’s love so great he not only rescues but renews deep, deep down.  What would have been different in my life and heart had I first been exposed to the message of grace-given holiness?  I believe God’s Spirit gives incredible gifts to the Body (many times us holiness folk shy away from and end up missing out on our full potential here, but that is also a discussion for another time…); that he can heal, give supernatural knowledge, amazing insight, holy discernment, and raise the dead; that he can  inspire men and women with dreams & visions, allow us to proclaim his Word, and be used as vessels to change the world in his power.  But one of the most powerful, loving, amazing things I have seen him do is right a crooked spirit.

We Wesleyans like to proclaim we are part of the Holiness Tradition; I hope our passion for God’s Spirit does not morph simply into a list of rules and remembrances of the Good Ol’ Days—as so many traditions do—but that we find ourselves renewed with passion to proclaim that there is a loving God who rescues and re-wires.  He is powerful, loving, strong and mighty to save.

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This is part 1 of a series.  You can read the introduction here.

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New Blog Series this Week:

September 20, 2010 — 2 Comments

image: jimmywayne/flickr

I wasn’t introduced to The Wesleyan Church until I ended up attending a Wesleyan school, but my time at Bethany Bible College exposed me to some things of Christ that I saw in The Wesleyan Church which made me want to be part.  Sure, there are things I might change and I know the denomination is looking at a number of creative solutions to a number of issues, but over the next few days I’ll be sharing what I see as some deep-in-our-DNA aspects of The Wesleyan Church I don’t think we can ever lose without fundamentally altering who we are.  Keep in mind, these are just my opinions, and I hope you feel free to chime in.

I also hope none of this comes across as though I think the Wesleyans are ‘better’ than others or the only ones invited into heaven–I know there really is only one Church and I love Jesus much more than denomination–but I love the part of the body of which I am part… over the next few days we’ll discuss why 🙂 .

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