The Story of American
Methodism: Part One
Early American
Methodism
1784: A Pivotal Year
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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
Itinerancy as Basic Principle
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“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.
Other Fundamentals to Wesley
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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
Concerning the American Situation
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Wesley never an advocate for the
American Revolution
Governments considered humanoriented models of community
structured from the fabric of original
sin
However, freedom from sin should
translate into freedom from
oppression
On Most Issues…
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…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
Early American Beginnings
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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
Great Awakening
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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
Outcomes of the First Great Awakening
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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
Early Lay Leadership
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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
Early Lay Leadership
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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
Early Lay Leadership
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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.
Early Lay Leadership
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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.
Early Lay Leadership
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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.
Missionary Preachers Arrive
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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)
Missionary Preachers Arrive
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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”
Missionary Preachers Arrive
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1774, James Dempster and Martin
Rodda arrive.
Rooda returns to England after
three years, due in part to his
position as a royalist.
Factors of Early Growth
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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
First Annual Conference
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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
Issues Facing the Post-Revolution
Methodists
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Itinerancy
Wesley’s Authority
Methodist’s relationship with other
colonial churches
The Question of slavery
Discipline (polity)
English vs. Native preachers
Social Reform Issues