Marks of a Methodist

I recently picked up a little book by Dr. Steve Harper, Five Marks of a Methodist: The Fruit of a Living Faith. Dr. Harper received his PhD in Wesley studies from Duke University and taught spiritual formation and Wesley studies to seminary students for over 30 years. It's no wonder that he based his book on a John Wesley's essay "The Character of a Methodist" (1742).

Harper writes that the Methodist movement was growing and John Wesley realized that eventually he would not be able to oversee everything taking place. "In anticipation of what would soon become the Annual Conference--the yearly gathering of leaders who prayed to discern what they were supposed to believe, teach and do--Wesley wrote the foundational document called 'The Character of a Methodist', to provide the sustaining strength for what Methodism would become."

So, keeping in mind that these character traits rise from our founding history, I read about them with great interest and with the hope that I would find myself Methodist in character.

1. A Methodist Loves God - A Methodist loves the One who has created and loved through Jesus Christ. Our love is increased when we receive the love of God. To love God is to open the door to being whole.

Dr. Steve Harper, author of Five Marks of a Methodist

2. A Methodist Rejoices in God - God is at the heart of joy. "The basis for our joy, Wesley writes, is the atonement [Jesus' saving act on the cross], the moment and the process where we are reconciled with God."
3. A Methodist Gives Thanks - Wesley believed that gratitude is a Christian response to God. He practiced a weekly self-examination concerning living gratefully. Methodists are intentional about practicing gratitude.
4. A Methodist Prays Constantly - If we are the branches to the vine of Jesus Christ (John 15) then we are in constant communion with God. Prayer is not only our response to God, but prayer is the response of God's spirit moving in us. Methodists seek ways to pray that keep us rooted in scripture and "open us to ideas and intercessions that aren't limited to our own experiences."
5. A Methodist Loves Others - The first four marks of a Methodist all lead toward loving others. This is made possible through loving, rejoicing in, giving thanks to and praying to God. The Christian life is fundamentally shaped by the commandments of Jesus to love God and love neighbor.

Currently, I am considering offering Wesley's character traits of a Methodist in a sermon series. Harper has effectively taken an historical document of our church and shown its relevance for today, not only for United Methodists, but for all Christians. In addition, reading this short book has inspired me to go back and read Wesley sermons. (This is a practice that ordained United Methodist clergy vow to do.)

I have also been lead to examine my faith practices and my "Methodist character". Where would John Wesley congratulate me and where would he find me wanting? More important, how am I living a life that moves me ever closer to God?