I have always believed in the power of a community. In my recent book review of A Many Colored Kingdom, I highlighted the idea that a faith community has the ability to enact true social change. While many mission statements have been written in an attempt to underscore an Acts 2 type of lifestyle, I think we all know to well that this rarely happens. We might get glimpses of the kingdom, but there is always something missing.
In one of those interesting moments where my classwork intersects my own personal thoughts, I have been reading about John Wesley's method of discipleship (it's where the word Methodist comes from), and the expectations of those involved. This is the type of reading that some students blow off because it is complicated, often repeats itself and generally is seen as a historical hoop to jump through. I have found myself squirming in my chair because I have so many questions, and I think they annoy my classmates.
Below is the pattern of the Wesleyan Bands, small groups dedicated to confession and prayer.
Wesley's Rules for Band-Societies
Drawn up December 25, 1738.
The design of our meeting is, to obey that command of God, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed..
To this end, we intend.
1. To meet once a week, at the least.
2. To come punctually at the hour appointed, without some extraordinary reason.
3. To begin (those of us who are present) exactly at the hour, with singing or prayer.
4. To speak each of us in order, freely and plainly, the true state of our souls, with the faults we have committed in thought, word, or deed, and the temptations we have felt, since our last meeting.
5. To end every meeting with prayer, suited to the state of each person present.
6. To desire some person among us to speak his own state first, and then to ask the rest, in order, as many and as searching questions as may be, concerning their state, sins, and temptations.
Some of the questions proposed to every one before he is admitted among us may he to this effect.
1. Have you the forgiveness of your sins.
2. Have you peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Have you the witness of God's Spirit with your spirit, that you are a child of God.
4. Is the love of God shed abroad in your heart.
5. Has no sin, inward or outward, dominion over you.
6. Do you desire to be told of your faults.
7. Do you desire to be told of all your faults, and that plain and home.
8. Do you desire that every one of us should tell you, from time to time, whatsoever is in his heart concerning you.
9. Consider! Do you desire we should tell you whatsoever we think, whatsoever we fear, whatsoever we hear, concerning you.
10. Do you desire that, in doing this, we should come as close as possible, that we should cut to the quick, and search your heart to the bottom.
11. Is it your desire and design to be on this, and all other occasions, entirely open, so as to speak everything that is in your heart without exception, without disguise, and without reserve.
Any of the preceding questions may be asked as often as occasion others; the four following at every meeting.
1. What known sins have you committed since our last meeting.
2. What temptations have you met with.
3. How were you delivered.
4. What have you thought, said, or done, of which you doubt whether it be sin or not.
source housechurch.org
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How well do you think this would go over in our own Church culture? The Wesleyan system of a support structure is often said to be the cause of success in the revival. This came out of a conviction that Mr. Wesley did not want to leave behind the souls that he led to heaven and his view of God as a loving Father, instead of legal language applied to salvation. A judge has no responsibility once someone leaves the courtroom, but a loving Father desires to see his children grow to maturity. John Wesley's doctrine of God informed his practical views of ministry.
I wanted to ask the question "How do we take care of those who need help with sin?", but I realized that we all need help with sin. I also thought about asking how does this contrast our current way of helping new believers, but I don't think applies as well, especially since the Wesleyan revival "plucked people of of the devil's hands" and we are facing decline.
So we can just take the question "How does this make us look at ourselves?"
for my reading notes. They are the perfect size to slip in a book. When I fill them up I save them to archive.
