"Restoring Methodism" ...

... That's the title of a book written in 2006 by Jim and Molly Scott. Actually, the full title is Restoring Methodism: 10 Decisions for United Methodist Churches in America. The book is an attempt to help Methodist churches grapple with the realities of the denomination's situation at present and start to think about a way forward that would allow for the renewal of the church as a whole.

The Scotts are clergy members of the Arkansas Annual Conference who have had a long and diverse career in ministry. Since moving back to the state and settling in Eureka Springs, they have devoted themselves to study and writing, as well as in the training of pastors and congregations, on how the United Methodist Church might better embody the doctrine, discipline, and spirit that drove the movement back in Wesley's day.

I read the Scotts' book recently for their interest in the class meeting and its role (in the past and, potentially, in the present) as a central feature of Methodism. I think one of the best parts of their project in Restoring Methodism is in the way they clearly distinguished the renewal of the church-as-institution and the renewal of the church-as-Holy-Spirit-led-movement. All their interest is in the latter.

For instance, they write, "The purpose [of the church's restoration] is not to save an institution but rather to use all the gifts and graces given to us to fulfill our love and obedience in the Kingdom of God. It is the salvation of people that is at stake here. It is people experiencing the justifying grace of Jesus Christ that forgives and frees us from sin. It continues with the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in us" (p.30).

Likewise, the Scotts are not interested in latching on to John Wesley as some mythic, founder-figure who defines the church simply because of a compelling life story. Rather, they write, "It is not that Wesley himself changes us; it is that he continually points away from himself to the Trinity - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost; to basic Christianity; to the early Church. Wesley is not the answer, but he takes us to the answers" (p.xiii).

Those statements are a pretty good summary of why I study Wesley and early Methodism. The answers they provide are not contained within themselves; they rather come from where they point us. They demonstrate a form of disciplined holy living that can still help us respond to the Spirit's call in our own day.

[If you'd like to check out more about the ministry of Jim and Molly Scott, you can visit their Christian Connexion website.]