John Wesley (1703-91) was the father of Methodism, although he never set out to start a new church. He didn’t found The Wesleyan Church himself or the churches that merged to form The Wesleyan Church, but he is the spring from which all the Wesleyan-related denominations have flowed. In this module, we will discover his testimony of a life-transforming moment of conversion. We will explore his understanding of the gospel of Christ and the creation of a Methodist movement that has strongly impacted the world for Christ. We will look at the immense discipleship structure that he set up. While almost three centuries have brought some tweaks here and there to the beliefs and practices of John and his brother Charles, they still provide a reference point for the thought and structure that undergirds our denomination today as well as the other churches in the Methodist tradition.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

1. Describe the key events in the lives of John and Charles Wesley
2. Assess the significance and value of a conversion event similar to the Aldersgate experience of John Wesley
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of the accountability groups in early Methodism and today.
4. Apply Wesley’s “optimism of grace” to pastoral ministry in the present context.