Key points:
- Wesleyan theology provides a pathway for energizing the denomination, writes the Rev. Dr. Jean Claude Masuka Maleka.
- Key elements include sanctification, social transformation, global engagement, empowering laity, prayer and spiritual formation.
- The church has a call to both local and global mission, he says.
Commentaries
Christian mission is a central element of Wesleyan theology and a foundational pillar of The United Methodist Church’s identity.
To revitalize this church in an increasingly dehumanized and searching world, we must return to the principles of mission according to Methodism’s founder, John Wesley, while contextualizing them within contemporary challenges.
Wesleyan theology provides pathways for the revitalization of mission within The United Methodist Church in several ways.
Sanctification as the foundation
In Wesleyan theology, sanctification is at the heart of the Christian experience. Wesley viewed sanctification as a continuous transformation that brings the believer closer to the image of Christ. This pertains not only to the individual but also to the entire Christian community.
“Sanctification is the process by which we become more like Christ, and this is the true goal of mission,” Wesley writes. (The Wesley quotes in this article can be found in “The Works of John Wesley, Vol. 7”). A revitalized church must understand that the call to mission is inseparable from the life of sanctification: The believer, transformed by the love of God, becomes a living witness of the Gospel.
Mission is not limited to isolated actions or external strategies; it begins with inner transformation, deeply affecting the character and commitment of believers. By emphasizing sanctification, The United Methodist Church can reclaim a clear vision of its mission, becoming a place of continuous conversion and transformation, both spiritual and social.
Mission at the heart of society
Wesley did not merely preach a message of individual salvation; he insisted that the Gospel must also translate into concrete actions of social transformation. “Wesley preached a Gospel that concerned not only individual redemption but also social well-being,” notes Albert C. Outler in “John Wesley’s Theology: A Study in Historical Theology.”
For Wesley, Christian mission involved a genuine responsibility toward society, especially the most disadvantaged. A revitalized mission within The United Methodist Church should include an integral approach to mission, combining spiritual evangelism with a commitment to social justice.
The church must address contemporary challenges, such as poverty, social injustices, ethnic conflicts and environmental crises. By preaching a Gospel that touches both the hearts of individuals and the structures of society, The United Methodist Church can offer a relevant and transformative message for people and the communities in which they live.
Engaging the world and society
Wesley always encouraged active engagement from Christians in society, whether through education, health care or economic development. Timothy C. Tennent, writing in “Theology in the Context of World Christianity: How the Global Church Is Influencing the Way We Think About and Discuss Theology,” emphasizes that “Wesley believed in a global mission, but he also saw it as concrete service within local social structures, including education and aid to the poor.”
To revitalize its missionary role, The United Methodist Church must engage meaningfully with contemporary issues that shape the world: social ethics, environmental protection, human rights and ethical governance.
Practical engagement in the world is essential. For the church to truly reinvent itself, it must move beyond the walls of its buildings and respond to the social calls of its time. The example of the historical Methodist movement, with its actions in favor of abolishing slavery and educating the poor, can inspire a new generation of social evangelists.
Empowering laity and collective mission
One of the most distinctive aspects of Wesleyan theology is its vision of the laity as key players in the mission. Wesley believed in a church of “lay disciples,” where every believer, whether a pastor or not, has an active responsibility in the mission work.
“Every Christian is a missionary, and the Church must be a community of missionaries, where each believer plays a role in announcing the Kingdom of God,” Wesley states.
To revitalize The United Methodist Church, it is crucial to encourage the laity to take on leadership roles in mission while fostering a collaborative approach with pastors.
By revising ecclesial structures to make them more inclusive and participatory, the church can encourage a mission commitment from all its members. Mission should not be the sole work of pastors but a collective project where every believer becomes an ambassador of Christ.
Prayer and spiritual formation
Prayer and spiritual formation are essential to any revitalized mission effort. Wesley himself stressed the importance of daily prayer, prayer groups and spiritual retreats.
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“Prayer is the fuel for Christian mission; without it, the Church cannot hope to accomplish its mission in a sustainable and authentic way,” writes Michael E. Barr in “Wesley and the Mission of the Church.” In this framework, effective mission must first arise in the hearts of believers, in their intimate relationship with God. A revitalized church must be one that prays, teaches and forms its members for mission.
Small prayer communities and Bible study groups are powerful tools to encourage a culture of mission. They help cultivate passion for service and spreading the Gospel while strengthening fraternal communion.
A universal calling
Finally, a revitalized mission within The United Methodist Church cannot be limited to the local dimension. Wesley promoted a global vision of Christian mission, supporting missionaries not only in England but also in Africa, America and other regions of the world.
“The Church’s mission is universal, and the globalization of the Gospel is essential for the building of God’s Kingdom,” he writes. Today, The United Methodist Church must reclaim this tradition of global mission, while remaining rooted in its local context.
The call to mission is universal and global. It involves both local mission, addressing the specific needs of immediate communities, and global mission, contributing to initiatives that support peace, justice and development in regions most affected by poverty, conflict and humanitarian crises.
Wesleyan mission theology, with its focus on sanctification, social transformation and global engagement, offers valuable pathways for revitalizing The United Methodist Church. A mission that responds to contemporary challenges, empowers the laity, values prayer and spiritual formation, and is both local and global is key.
By following this path, The United Methodist Church can regain its vitality, bearing witness to God’s transformative love around the world.
Maleka is a pastor and member of the South Congo Conference. He is interim assistant to the general secretary of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries for the West Africa Region.
News contact: Julie Dwyer or Heather Hahn at [email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.
