Two weeks ago, I asked What are the distinctive marks of worship in the Wesleyan tradition? Thanks to each of you who commented and responded on that post. That post was in preparation for a conversation of which I was a part that took place about worship at Resurrection and what it might look like in the future and how it might change. Look for more notes from this worship conversation tomorrow.
I was charged with presenting a short piece about Wesleyan worship for this conversation. With primary input from Kevin Watson and this post, here is what I presented. I tried to present chronologically portions of the Wesleyan revival that may have influence worship:
Wesleyan Worship
Accountability
- Holy club emerged at Oxford around 1729
Love Feast
- In the early 1730’s John Wesley traveled to Georgia
- Impressed by the faith of the Moravians
- Love feast was a specific service based on fellowship and testimony of how God has been at work in the life of those in the congregation
Field preaching
- March 1739
- Witnessed George Whitefield preaching in the field
- “I should have thought the saving of souls almost a sin if it had not been done in a church…”
- April 1, 1739 – “Submitted to be more vile” by preaching outdoors
Societies
- Revival within the Church of England
- Preaching, singing, and testimony
Singing great hymns
- Charles Wesley was a writer of thousands of hymns
- Singing was done in a way that speaks to the people singing them
Communion
- Methodism spread to America
- Revolutionary War broke ties with Church of England
- Wesley sees the sacraments as so important that he ordains Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury to be overseers of the movement in America.
Rev. Andrew Conard 
2 replies on “Wesleyan Distinctives – Worship Roundtable: Part 1”
You’ve asked some good questions and done some good work. I’m sorry i didn’t find this sooner. For what it’s worth, I’ll give you my perspective.
The distinctives of United Methodist worship are found in the liturgies of the UM Hymnal and Book of Worship. This is to say that Wesleyan worship is like Wesleyan theology; it is conjunctive and cooperant. This means that worship in the Wesleyan tradition is both liturgical and evangelical. it employs the prayers and liturgies of Christian tradition and extemporaneous prayers of the people lead by the Holy Spirit. Wesleyan worship is centered on the table of Christ, not the pulpit. The purpose of the pulpit (preaching) is to prepare the people to come to the table. The Wesleyan altar call is the invitation to the table.
In Wesleyan worship the people hear and read from all of Scripture, the Old Testament and the New Testament. It also includes congregational singing, especially the hymns of Charles Wesley. John Wesley was no fan of choirs. He wanted the people to be the choir singing praise to God.
Wesleyan worship includes preaching that preaches Christ in all his offices: priest, prophet and king. It also includes preaching both law and grace.
Finally, Wesleyan worship is always directed toward God. It’s purpose is to bring the people into God’s presence and to offer themselves to serve God and be God’s witnesses in the world.
This is an important question. Thanks for asking and being open to hear from others.
Steve – Thanks for your response. You have some excellent thoughts and additions. I particularly appreciate your note that Wesleyan worship is centered on the table and not the pulpit. This is something that I believe is lost in many United Methodist congregations today. Thanks Steve!