One aspect of modern United Methodism is to consider the church in functional terms. More specifically, a church is successful when it effectively facilitates the spiritual growth of individuals. Such “success” is noticeable through membership, attendance in worship, small groups and service projects, as well as financial giving. Indications in Wesley that suggest his support for a functional view of the church can be found in contemporary ecclesiological reflection for United Methodists.
For example, George Hunter, a popular author and professor of evangelism suggests that Wesley’s approach to pursuing evangelism was
“…remarkably close to that of today’s Church Growth movement. For instance, [Wesley] was an unapologetic pragmatist in the choice and development of strategies, models, and methods. The supreme standard for evaluating any evangelism approach was its outcomes, that is, whether or not the approach helped to achieve the perennial apostolic objectives of discipling of people and the growth of the true Church." (To Spread the Power)
This comparison is significant, given that the Church Growth movement places great emphasis on numbers and the “homogeneous unit” principle. Both of these bear great similarities to the project of the modern market. In the modern market, one's success is determined by market share. In addition, the “homogeneous unit” principle sounds very much like forms of niche marketing, not to mention that such a principle could lead to supporting racial/ethnic and economic divisions in the society within the church.
My point is not to argue what Wesley did or did not say or do. Rather, I am suggesting that United Methodists, in evaluating Wesleyan thought for the contemporary church, cannot help but be distorted in these efforts when their goal is to secure the legitimacy and the relevance of the church.
Recent Comments