The Wesleyan Church is a Protestant Christian denomination that traces its roots back to John Wesley, the 18th century Anglican minister who founded Methodism. Wesleyans uphold the doctrines and teachings of John Wesley, including his emphasis on personal holiness, evangelism, and social justice.
Some key beliefs and practices of the Wesleyan Church include:
Salvation by Grace Through Faith
Wesleyans believe that humanity is fallen and sinful, and can only be saved by God’s grace, not by our own good works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is available to all who repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Sanctification
Sanctification is the process of being made holy after justification. Wesleyans believe in entire sanctification, the doctrine that through the power of the Holy Spirit we can be cleansed from voluntary sin and made perfect in love toward God and others (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). This is a crisis experience subsequent to conversion.
The Witness of the Spirit
Wesleyans believe that when we are born again, the Holy Spirit bears witness with our own spirits to confirm that we are children of God (Romans 8:15-17). This inner assurance of salvation helps give us confidence and joy in Christ.
Christian Perfection
Wesleyans believe that we should continually strive to “go on to perfection” (Hebrews 6:1). Though we cannot achieve sinless perfection in this life, we can live in a state of perfect love for God and others by the empowering grace of the Holy Spirit. Love for God and neighbor summarizes the Law (Matthew 22:37-40).
Accountability in Community
Wesleyans belong to covenant membership churches. They believe faith is personal but not private, and we need accountability and fellowship with other Christians. Wesley established “class meetings” of 8-12 people who met regularly to give an account of their spiritual growth.
Bible Primacy & Authority
Wesleyans uphold the authority, inspiration, inerrancy and sufficiency of Scripture as God’s unique written revelation to humanity (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Correct doctrine and practice is determined by Scripture.
Free Will
Wesleyans believe that human beings, though corrupted by sin, remain free moral agents. Through God’s prevenient grace we can choose to repent and accept God’s salvation in Christ. We do not adhere to unconditional election or irresistible grace in salvation.
Evangelical & Missional
Wesleyans have an evangelical zeal for sharing the gospel and reaching the lost. They uphold Christ’s Great Commission to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Wesleyans have a history of domestic and global missions.
History of the Wesleyan Church
John Wesley (1703–1791) never officially left the Anglican Church or intended to start a new denomination. After his evangelical conversion in 1738, he began preaching repentance, regeneration and holiness throughout Britain.
As converts grew into societies and bands, persecution led Methodists to begin forming separate chapels in the 1740s. Wesley appointed superintendents and passed on authority to his preachers, who began administering the sacraments.
After Wesley’s death, American Methodists officially formed the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1784 under the leadership of bishops Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury. British Methodism followed in the early 19th century.
In 1843 a major division occurred in the Methodist Episcopal Church over the issue of episcopal authority and lay representation. The Wesleyan Methodist Church was formed, emphasizing voluntary membership and moral accountability.
In 1968 the Wesleyan Methodist Church merged with the Pilgrim Holiness Church to form the Wesleyan Church. It is now headquartered in Indianapolis with about 150,000 members worldwide.
Distinctives of Wesleyan Theology and Practice
In addition to the core beliefs outlined above, below are some key theological and practical distinctives of Wesleyan churches compared to other Protestant groups:
- Arminian theology – God’s saving grace is resistible, conditional election
- Holiness ethic – Standards against alcohol, tobacco, gambling, etc.
- Typically baptize by immersion but accept other modes
- Practice infant dedication instead of infant baptism
- Believer’s baptism
- Traditional worship but open to minimal contemporary elements
- Moderate positions on social issues like war, environmentalism
- Connectional church structure with superintendents
- Empowerment of women in ministry
Educational Institutions
The Wesleyan Church operates several higher education institutions to train pastors, missionaries, and future leaders for the church, including:
- Indiana Wesleyan University (Marion, IN)
- Oklahoma Wesleyan University (Bartlesville, OK)
- Southern Wesleyan University (Central, SC)
- Houghton College (Houghton, NY)
- Tyndale Seminary (Toronto, Canada)
Global Growth and Decline
The Wesleyan Church experienced steady growth throughout the 20th century, especially in the developing world through missionary work. However, since the 1960s membership has been gradually declining in North America.
Reasons include:
- Post-modern secularization in Western cultures
- Ethnic and generational divides in the church
- Loss of evangelistic zeal and passion for holiness
- Division over issues like women in ministry, conservatives vs progressives
While the North American church has shrunk, international growth continues, especially in Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique). Globally the Wesleyan Church has around 1.5 million adherents.
Relationships with Other Denominations
The Wesleyan Church maintains close ties, shared faith convictions, and some cooperative ministries with groups like:
- Free Methodist Church
- Church of the Nazarene
- Christian and Missionary Alliance
- Assemblies of God
- The Foursquare Church
- The Salvation Army
Many of these denominations trace origins back to early Methodism and teachings of Wesley. While maintaining theological unity around evangelical essentials, each group has its own history, governance, and nuanced doctrines.
Recent Challenges and Changes
Recent tensions and changes in the Wesleyan Church include:
- Debate over women pastors – Fully approved since the 1960s-70s but still controversial in some circles
- Decline of overseas missions – Scaling back denominational missions board and structure
- Push towards multisite churches and contemporary worship
- Increased ethnic diversity in America – Spanish and Korean language congregations
- Shift from stances opposing divorce, remarriage, female attire – More progressive positions adopted
These changes partly reflect wider shifts in evangelical Christianity regarding diversity, gender roles, social engagement, and denominational loyalty. The Wesleyan Church aims to adapt its ministry to new cultural realities while retaining its biblical convictions.
Notable Wesleyan Leaders and Theologians
Some key figures who have shaped Wesleyan theology and practice include:
- John Wesley – founder of Methodism
- Charles Wesley – prolific hymn writer
- George Whitefield – itinerant revival preacher
- Adam Clarke – theologian and Bible commentator
- Phoebe Palmer – promoted holiness and women in ministry
- William and Catherine Booth – founded the Salvation Army
- Orange Scott – abolitionist leader
- L. R. Marston – systematic theologian, educator
- Samuel Brengle – author on holiness
Church Governance and Organization
The Wesleyan Church has a representative form of church government with four levels:
- Local churches – self-governing congregations and ordained ministers form the foundation.
- Districts – grouped local churches under a superintendent and district board.
- General conference – representative body of clergy and laity that meets every 4 years.
- General superintendents – oversees the spiritual and temporal affairs of the denomination.
Major decisions and changes in doctrine, policy, and leadership are made through the general conference. District superintendents provide coordination, accountability, and pastoral leadership to churches in their district.
Worship Style and Liturgy
Worship in the Wesleyan Church reflects both its Anglican and evangelical roots. Features include:
- Pastor-led services oriented around biblical preaching
- Traditional and contemporary hymns and worship songs
- Modes of prayer, responsive readings, affirmations of faith
- Simplicity and focus on Word-centered ministry
- Use of sacraments like baptism and Lord’s supper
- Evangelistic invitation and altar calls
- Clapping, raised hands, and emotive responses encouraged
The order of service follows a fairly standard pattern, but allows for freedom and spontaneity as led by the Holy Spirit. There is openness to contemporary innovations in worship while preserving theological substance.
Outreach and Social Ministries
The Wesleyan Church actively serves communities through evangelism and social outreach. Ministries include:
- Church planting
- Revival meetings and camp meetings
- Inner city and compassion ministries
- Disaster relief
- Bible distribution
- Evangelistic crusades
- Christian elementary and secondary schools
Many local Wesleyan congregations run community development programs, social services, children’s and youth programming, recovery groups, and events to reach their neighborhoods. There is a strong focus on translating faith into practical action.
Prominent Wesleyan Affiliated Organizations
Some notable organizations tied to the Wesleyan Church include:
- World Hope International (relief and development)
- Wesleyan Investment Foundation (finances and loans)
- Wesleyan Pension Fund
- Wesleyan Publishing House
- Aldersgate Renewal Ministries (charismatic gifts)
- Wesleyan Native Ministries
- Wesleyan Women
These groups provide specialized services, resources, and advocacy for particular causes and needs aligned with the church’s mission. They operate internationally and help expand the Wesleyan Church’s reach.
Faith Impacting Culture
From the beginning, Wesleyans have sought to bring biblical values to bear on society. Key cultural contributions include:
- Championed abolition of slavery and Underground Railroad
- Advocated fortemperance and Prohibition
- Established hundreds of schools, colleges, orphanages
- Influenced labor movements and economic reforms
- Changed outlooks on sanctity of life, family, sexuality
- Leaders in the civil rights movement
- Aid to developing nations and social justice
Wesleyan efforts have addressed issues of human rights, poverty, education, care for marginalized groups, and moral reforms. Their notion of Scriptural holiness motivates changing lives to change society for the glory of God.
Conclusion
The Wesleyan Church continues John Wesley’s legacy by maintaining a balanced focus on holy living, evangelistic missions, and Spirit-led revival. Their robust theology built on God’s grace provides spiritual freedom and direction. Though shifts in culture present challenges, Wesleyans remain committed to proclaiming Scriptural Christianity in the 21st century and beyond.