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Field Preaching

November 6, 2023

Wesley’s upbringing and training for the Anglican priesthood, gives some insight into his being a “company man.”  Wesley valued the Anglican liturgy, its 39 Articles of belief, and never left the church that left him by forbidding him in most places to preach. 

Wesley was committed to preaching the Good News to all who would hear but found himself without a church or pulpit. What was a good "churchman" to do?

Wesley is encouraged by his friend and former member of the Oxford Holy Club, George Whitefiled, to join him in his field-preaching.  Whitefiled had become a popular field preaching both in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and America. Wesley records in his journal that this was a strange thing for him to consider. and took some time for him to participate

Field-preaching was looked upon with suspicion by many of the Anglican pastors and leaders of the day.  One might suggest that one reason for this suspicion is that field-preachers drew large crowds that the local parish pastor did not.

Reflection:

How have friends in your life helped you to be involved in ministry? Give a call, text, or email and thank them.....or maybe even take them to lunch and express your thanks.

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Path To Pentecost (13)--May 11

May 14, 2025

A Condition for being filled on a continual basis The blog yesterday showed that Ephesians 5:18 exhorts us to be filled with the Holy Spirit on a continual basis. The present verb "filled" makes this clear. I also stated that a way to experience this continual work of The Holy Spirit (being under the influence of The Spirit) is based on humility. Humility is the experience of realizing that I do not have the internal power to be the person that I see in God's Word. Humility is the acknowledgement that I need God's Spirit to live the life of following Jesus. It is the humble person who can experience this continual influence of the Holy Spirit. That is because the truly humble person has a right assessment of their own need and a right assessment of God' provision. The proud person cannot receive much from God because the proud person does not assess that they need anything or at least not much from God. This is not a failure of God's power it is a failure of one not recognizing one's need. In this notion of being humble enough to experience God's continual presence of The Holy Spirit I remember a verse from Jesus' brother, James. James 4:5-6 reveals God's contrast in response to the proud and to the humble. Note in vs 5 about God's yearning "over the Spirit that he has made to dwell in us." Then James gives a contrast between the humble and the proud we see that God gives "more grace" (vs. 6). How can God give more grace.....well I want to suggest that God can give more grace to the humble because the humble have more capacity for grace. Think of it, a humble person is open to receive from God because they do not assume that they are capable in their own strength. Note also that the continual influence of The Holy Spirit would be impossible for the proud. God opposes the proud (vs. 6) because they do not recognize their need of God's Holy Spirit. REFLECT: So, instead of denying your inability and need for more grace, embrace it. God has "more grace" for you. This is life in the the continual influence of The Holy Spirit

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