Methodism

Methodism is a Protestant Christian tradition that began in the 18th century with the life and teachings of John Wesley. Along with his brother Charles Wesley and George Whitefield, John started a movement called the Methodists because of the methodical way they practiced their faith. It began within Anglicanism and the Church of England but later became its own separate group.

Today, Methodism has about 80 million followers around the world. It spread widely through missionary work across the British Empire and the United States. Methodist beliefs focus on living a good life through faith, following God’s laws, and helping others. They believe in Jesus Christ’s death for all people and that anyone can find salvation.

Methodists have many ways of worship, from simple meetings to more formal services. They are known for their hymns, which Charles Wesley helped write, and for gathering in small groups for support. Methodism also emphasizes helping the poor, sick, and needy, showing God’s love through actions like building hospitals and schools.

Origins

Further information: History of Methodism in the United States and John Wesley § Persecutions and lay preaching

John Wesley

Charles Wesley

The Methodist movement began in England in the 1700s with John Wesley and his brother Charles. They were students at the University of Oxford and formed a group called the "Holy Club" where they lived a very careful and faithful life. They met every week, took Communion often, fasted, avoided fun and rich foods, and helped those who were sick or poor.

In 1735, John and Charles traveled to Georgia Colony to work with settlers and teach the Native Americans, but they returned to England feeling they lacked true faith. They met a group called the Moravian Church and in 1738, John had a powerful moment of faith in London. After this, they began telling others about their belief in salvation through faith. John was influenced by a theologian named Jacobus Arminius, who believed that God’s love offered salvation to all, not just a chosen few.

George Whitefield joined them and became known for preaching to very large crowds outdoors. John Wesley also began preaching in open spaces to reach people who did not attend regular church services. They organized followers into small groups called classes where members supported each other. Over time, the Methodist movement grew, even though they faced criticism and sometimes violence.

Methodism began inside the Church of England but gradually became its own church. By the time John Wesley died, there were many Methodist preachers and hundreds of thousands of members. The movement spread through the British Empire and to America, where it continued to grow through revival meetings and camp gatherings.

Theology

Main article: Wesleyan theology

Methodism is a branch of Protestant Christianity that began with the teachings of John Wesley. Methodists believe in the traditional Christian ideas about God as three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — and that Jesus Christ is both fully human and fully divine. They also stress the importance of the Holy Spirit in helping believers grow in their faith.

Methodists teach that everyone needs salvation and that this comes through faith in Jesus Christ. They believe that salvation begins when a person chooses to follow God. Methodists also emphasize living a holy life, loving God, and loving others. They follow the teachings of John Wesley, who wrote many hymns about these ideas.

Methodists hold two special Christian practices called sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion. They believe these are important ways God works in people's lives. Methodists also look to the Bible as their main guide for faith and practice, while also considering church traditions, personal experiences, and reason.

Most Methodist churches support marriage between a man and a woman, though some allow individual churches to decide whether to bless same-sex marriages.

Prayer, worship, and liturgy

Methodism has a special way of worshipping that combines two practices. One is a formal service using the Book of Common Prayer, and the other is a simple preaching service. This mix is unique because other churches usually only use one or the other. Methodists also place great importance on spontaneous prayer and often have lively services where people express their feelings openly.

Historically, Methodist churches hold morning and evening services on Sunday and often have a prayer meeting on Wednesday evenings. These services usually start with singing and prayers, followed by a message or sermon, and end with an invitation for people to make a commitment to their faith. Some churches also have times when members share their personal stories of faith and pray together.

Methodist worship has been shaped by influences from Pietistic Lutheranism and has, in turn, influenced the Holiness movement. In America, Methodist churches have different styles of worship, ranging from very formal to very simple. They use special books for their services, which include prayers and rituals based on John Wesley’s teachings. One special time in the Methodist calendar is Kingdomtide, a 13-week period focused on helping those in need. Methodists also hold Covenant Services, where they renew their commitment to following God, often using a special prayer written by John Wesley. Revival services, including camp meetings, are also a traditional part of Methodist worship.

Membership

In traditional Methodist churches, people often go through a six-month period called probation before becoming full members. During this time, they learn more about the faith and show they are serious about following the church's rules. After this period, they meet with church leaders to show they understand and agree with the church's beliefs and practices. If they do, they become full members.

Full members are expected to attend services regularly and follow certain guidelines, especially about their behavior. This tradition continues in many Methodist churches today, where new members still go through a learning period and are examined before joining fully. Some churches also have special services where members renew their promises to follow God and the church each year.

Lifestyle

Early Methodists dressed simply, avoiding fancy clothes and decorations. They believed in living modestly and focused on their faith. They also practiced fasting once a week, did not drink alcohol, and spent time in quiet prayer.

Over time, some of these rules became less strict, but many Methodist groups still encourage simple living, not drinking alcohol, and respecting special days of worship. Some smaller Methodist groups today still wear plain clothes and avoid jewelry and fancy decorations.

Contemporary Methodist denominations

See also: List of Methodist denominations

Methodism is a worldwide movement, with Methodist churches present on all populated continents. While it is declining in Great Britain and North America, it is growing rapidly in places like South Korea. There is no single Methodist Church with universal authority; Methodists belong to multiple independent denominations or "connexions." Most Methodists are members of denominations that are part of the World Methodist Council, an international association representing about 80 million people.

I look on all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty, to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation.

— John Wesley, Journal (11 June 1739)

Europe

Methodism is prevalent in the English-speaking world and also organized in mainland Europe, largely due to missionary activity by British and American Methodists. British missionaries were primarily responsible for establishing Methodism across Ireland and Italy. Today, the United Methodist Church has a presence in many European countries. Collectively, the European and Eurasian regions of the UMC constitute a little over 100,000 Methodists. Other smaller Methodist denominations also exist in Europe.

Great Britain

The original body founded as a result of Wesley's work came to be known as the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Over time, several separate denominations formed, including the Primitive Methodists, Bible Christians, and the Methodist New Connexion. In 1932, these groups united to form the present Methodist Church of Great Britain, the fourth-largest denomination in the country, with about 202,000 members.

Early Methodism was particularly prominent in Devon and Cornwall, and it grew rapidly in the mill towns of Yorkshire and Lancashire. In Wales, Methodism was welcomed by Welsh-speaking, English-speaking, and Calvinistic communities.

British Methodism does not have bishops; instead, it has a strong central organization called the Connexion, which holds an annual Conference. The Connexion is divided into Districts, which are further divided into circuits governed by a Circuit Meeting and led by a superintendent minister. Ministers are appointed to Circuits rather than to individual churches.

The Methodist Council also helps run several schools, including two public schools in East Anglia: Culford School and the Leys School. The council promotes education with a strong Christian ethos.

Other Methodist denominations in Britain include the Free Methodist Church, the Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches, the Church of the Nazarene, and The Salvation Army, among others.

Ireland

John Wesley visited Ireland many times and established classes and societies. The Methodist Church in Ireland operates across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. As of 2018, there were around 50,000 Methodists across Ireland.

Italy

The Italian Methodist Church is a small Protestant community in Italy, with around 7,000 members. Since 1975, it has been in partnership with the Waldensian Church, which has a total of 45,000 members. Waldensians are a Protestant movement that started in France in the late 1170s.

Nordic and Baltic countries

The "Nordic and Baltic Area" of the United Methodist Church covers the Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland) and the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania). Methodism was introduced to the Nordic countries in the late 19th century. Today, the United Methodist Church in Norway is the largest in the region with 10,684 members.

France

The French Methodist movement was founded in the 1820s by Charles Cook. Today, it exists under various names, with the Union of Evangelical Methodist Churches being the best-known. As of 2014, it has around 1,200 members and 30 ministers.

Germany

In Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, the United Methodist Church is known as Evangelisch-methodistische Kirche. The German part of the church had about 52,031 members in 2015. Methodism was introduced to Germany in 1830 and spread through missionary work.

Hungary

The first Methodist mission in Hungary was established in 1898. As of 2017, the United Methodist Church in Hungary had 453 professing members in 30 congregations. It runs student homes, elderly care homes, schools, and libraries.

Russia

The Methodist Church established strongholds in Russia, with large centers in Saint Petersburg, Moscow, and Ekaterinburg. Methodism experienced a revival in the 1990s after increased religious freedoms following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Caribbean

Methodism came to the Caribbean in 1760. It spread due to the work of British missionaries and established societies that later became the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA), with about 62,000 members in over 700 congregations.

Antigua

In 1755, Nathaniel Gilbert read a treatise by John Wesley and began preaching to his slaves in Antigua. By 1783, the first Methodist chapel was built in Antigua.

St. Bart's

In 1785, William Turton assisted in the Methodist work in the Swedish colony of St. Bartholomew.

Jamaica

In 1818, Edward Fraser moved to Bermuda and later assisted in building a new chapel. He was later freed and admitted to the Methodist Ministry to serve in Antigua and Jamaica.

Barbados

Following William J. Shrewsbury's preaching in the 1820s, Sarah Ann Gill used civil disobedience to protect her home from demolition to build a new chapel.

Africa

Most Methodist denominations in Africa follow the British Methodist tradition. Originally modeled on the British structure, since independence, most of these churches have adopted an episcopal model of church governance.

Nigeria

The Nigerian Methodist Church is one of the largest Methodist denominations in the world, with around two million members in 2,000 congregations. It has seen exponential growth since the turn of the millennium.

Ghana

Methodist Church Ghana is one of the largest Methodist denominations, with around 800,000 members in 2,905 congregations. Methodism in Ghana began with the arrival of Joseph Rhodes Dunwell in 1835.

Southern Africa

The Methodist Church operates across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, and Swaziland. It is a member church of the World Methodist Council. Methodism in Southern Africa began as a result of lay Christian work by an Irish soldier, John Irwin, in 1795.

Asia

China

Methodism was brought to China in 1847 by the Methodist Episcopal Church. The first missionaries were Judson Dwight Collins and Moses Clark White. The first convert was baptised in 1857, and the first substantial church building was dedicated in Fuzhou in 1856.

Hong Kong

India

Methodism came to India in 1817 and 1856. The first Methodist missionary service was conducted in 1817 by Rev. James Lynch in Madras. The first Methodist church was dedicated in 1819 at Royapettah.

Malaysia and Singapore

Missionaries from Britain, North America, and Australia founded Methodist churches in many Commonwealth countries. These missionaries often also founded schools to serve the local community.

Philippines

Methodism in the Philippines began in 1898 after the United States acquired the Philippines. The first Protestant worship service was conducted in 1898 by an American military chaplain named George C. Stull.

South Korea

The Korean Methodist Church is one of the largest churches in South Korea, with around 1.5 million members. Methodism in Korea grew out of British and American mission work that began in the late 19th century.

Taiwan

In 1947, the Methodist Church in the Republic of China celebrated its centenary. In 1949, it moved to Taiwan. Taipei Methodist Church was erected in 1953, and the church became autonomous in 1972.

Americas

Brazil

The Methodist Church in Brazil was founded by American missionaries in 1867. It became autonomous in 1930 and ordained its first woman minister in the 1970s. As of 2011, it had 162,000 members.

Canada

Methodism in Canada began with Rev. Coughlan in Newfoundland in 1763. William Black began preaching in New Brunswick in 1781. Methodism was disrupted by the War of 1812 but regained momentum after the Treaty of Ghent in 1815.

In 1884, most Canadian Methodists formed the Methodist Church, Canada. In 1925, it merged with Presbyterian and Congregational churches to form the United Church of Canada. The Free Methodist Church in Canada remains active today.

Mexico

The Methodist Church came to Mexico in 1872. The first Protestant Methodist school was established in Puebla in 1874. The first Annual Conference of the United Episcopal Church of México was established in 1885.

United States

Wesley believed that other priests could ordain besides bishops. In 1784, he ordained preachers for Scotland, England, and America. Francis Asbury founded the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1784.

The First Great Awakening was a religious movement in the 1730s and 1740s, spreading from New Jersey to New England and the South. George Whitefield played a major role.

The Second Great Awakening, from 1790 to 1840, saw Methodism grow rapidly, becoming the nation's largest denomination by 1820. It attracted German immigrants, and the first German Methodist Church was erected in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Disputes over slavery led to splits in the church. The Wesleyan Methodist Connexion and the Free Methodist Church were formed by abolitionists. In 1845, the churches of slaveholding states formed the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The northern and southern branches reunited in 1939.

The Third Great Awakening, from 1858 to 1908, saw enormous growth in Methodist membership. Methodists were involved in the Missionary Awakening and the Social Gospel Movement.

In 1968, the United Methodist Church was formed from a merger between the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church. In 2020, United Methodists announced a plan to split over the issue of same-sex marriage, resulting in the formation of the Global Methodist Church in 2022.

Oceania

Methodism is particularly widespread in some Pacific Island nations, such as Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga.

Australia

In the 19th century, annual conferences were held in each Australasian colony. The Methodist Church of Australasia was formed in 1902 when five Methodist denominations merged. In 1977, it merged with the Presbyterian Church of Australia and the Congregational Union of Australia to form the Uniting Church. The Wesleyan Methodist Church of Australia chose not to join the union.

Wesley Mission in Sydney remains strongly in the Wesleyan tradition. Many local churches are named after John Wesley.

Since the 2000s, many independent Methodist churches have been established or grown by Tongan immigrants.

Fiji

Due to early missionary efforts, most Fijians were converted to Methodism in the 1840s and 1850s. According to the 2007 census, 34.6% of the population are Methodists, making Fiji one of the most Methodist nations.

New Zealand

Wesleydale, the first Wesleyan Methodist mission in New Zealand, was established in 1823. The Methodist Church of New Zealand was the fourth-most common Christian denomination in the 2018 census.

Since the early 1990s, Methodist churches have been established by missionaries from Malaysia and Singapore.

Samoan Islands

The Methodist Church is the third largest denomination in the Samoan Islands. Piula Theological College was established in Lufilufi in 1868 and serves as the main headquarters of the Methodist church in Samoa.

Tonga

Methodism resonated strongly with Tongans. In the 1830s, Wesleyan missionaries converted paramount chief Taufa'ahau Tupou, who then converted fellow islanders. Today, Methodism is represented by the Free Church of Tonga and the Free Wesleyan Church, the largest church in Tonga. As of 2011, 48% of Tongans adhered to Methodist churches. Tongan Methodist minister Sione 'Amanaki Havea developed coconut theology, tailoring theology to a Pacific Islands context.

Ecumenical relations

Many Methodists have worked to bring different Christian groups together through the ecumenical movement. Because Methodism started within the Church of England, some think of it as a way of sharing beliefs rather than a separate church, similar to how the Franciscans were part of the medieval European church.

Methodists have also talked with people of other faiths. In 1999, leaders from the World Methodist Council wanted to work more closely with the Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation. By 2006, they agreed on important beliefs about how people are made right with God. Even so, there are still some differences, like how they understand the Eucharist, or Holy Communion.

In the 1960s, the Methodist Church in Great Britain tried to join with the Church of England, but this did not happen. Later, they signed a covenant and worked together on sharing churches and schools. In the United States, the United Methodist Church has also worked toward closer ties with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church.