Wholly Unpopular
I was feeling a bit discouraged this week. I had to analyze our church's social media views and interactions on Facebook and Youtube for our admin council meeting. Less likes, comments, views this past month, made my stomach sink. At the same time I've been re-reading about John Wesley's life since I started the Methodist history class last week.
I especially love learning the details of how the Methodist movement started. It all began with an unassuming group of college students in 1730, lead by John and Charles Wesley. John was an ordained priest and lecturer at Oxford at the time, and Charles was a student. Charles Wesley urged John to help them form this group that would help people grow spiritually. One of their friends suggested they visit the local prison to have encouraging conversations with the inmates. Society at the time turned a blind eye to the terrible conditions of prisons. Prison ministry, combatting recidivism, and advocating for prison reform are areas in which the modern day church knows is a priority. However, in John Wesley's day, people (especially Christians) thought these people deserved their "just" punishment. This group would meet with the prisoners, pray with them, bring food and books. This group would also tutor orphans and visit workhouses. They did hospital visitations and spent time with the elderly, while praying and studying the Bible together. One thing I had forgotten as I reread about this period of John Wesley's life, was how unpopular he and his friends were for doing all of the above. They called them names like "Holy Club" and "Oxford Methodists." This might not seem like name-calling but for Oxford in the early 18th century these were jabs made by people who knew the insults of church history. The term "methodists" was a sarcastic term meant for people who thought there was a "method" of holiness or being close to God. They were seen as fanatical "do-gooders" who took themselves and God too seriously. Someone even went to the trouble of circulating a pamphlet telling people to be wary of these "methodists."
As the Methodist movement swept throughout Britain and the U.S., the divide between church and society would never be as stark. The movement brought with it an understanding that the church should be in the world, engaging in its problems and combatting its struggles. As the leader of this movement however, John Wesley was wholly unpopular at every phase of his life. People hated his take on the Christian life, they insulted him, and targeted him. At every turn people who thought they were smarter, more spiritual, more doctrinally sound tried to invalidate his efforts and what he represented. As I read about his life, despite his many oppositions, he was always resolute in his convictions. I am heartened to learn that the change he sparked in the life of the church, the ripples of which are still felt today, was never carried on the wings of his popularity.
Now with social media, Facebook likes, comments, Instagram, Twitter- our days are filled with so many voices. We are bombarded by information and opinions. I find peace in observing the life of someone that lived with conviction. I think that's the tether that has kept me going during this pandemic. Despite how difficult this period of time has been, my conviction is that I am a part of something great, like Keolumana UMC, the ripples of which I can't see yet, but I know God is steering and the leading the ship forward. My conviction is that God is still working among us and with us throughout this period. So I might have started the week a bit discouraged, I'll not dwell on the social media stats, and I'll move forward encouraged and convicted.
