Interview: Charisma vs. Structure

As you can tell from the video introduction to this module, although the Wesleyan Methodist and Pilgrim Holiness churches shared in common the majority of their theology, at times they had a strikingly different “feel.” And the Reformed Baptists in Canada had their own flavor as well. For lack of a better word, the Wesleyan Methodists were more Methodist. The Pilgrim Church was more “revivalist.” The Reformed Baptists were probably somewhere in the middle and, at the very least, Canadian. The Wesleyan Methodists were more structured and “intellectual.” The Pilgrims were more charismatic and, for lack of a better word, “emotional.” The WMers sometimes thought that the Pilgrims were too centered around personalities. The Pilgrims were probably more innovative. 

Do you see these “fault lines” running through the Wesleyan Church even today? Have you ever been puzzled by others in the church who make you think, “Are we in the same denomination?” If you are able, find someone who has been in the Wesleyan Church for some time. You might show them the part of the video talking about the differing flavors of the parent churches. Ask them to weigh in. Does the hypothesis of differing flavors ring true to them?

Write up your reflections on your interview and submit them to the course. This assignment is worth 30 points.