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Annual Conference of 1785
Upholds the Christmas Conference Establishes the Episcopacy Establishes the role of “presiding
elder”, what will become the District Superintendent
18,000 members recognized
Church vs. Society
“Church” tends to suggest an ecclesiastic structure and polity
“Society” suggest a voluntary organization of local members
The Episcopal Methodist Church keeps both configurations
The potential conflict between identities continues into present time
Recognizing Government
Coke and Asbury meet with Washington on two separate occasions
Article 23 addresses the “Rulers of the United States of America”
Article XXIII
“The President, the Congress, the general assemblies, the governors and the councils of state, as delegates of the people, are the rulers of the United States of America…. A sovereign and independent nation” subject to no foreign jurisdiction.
Parting Such Sweet Sorrow
Many former Anglicans separate from the Methodist societies to form the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States
William White fashions this denomination, that maintained communion with The Church of England.
Organizational Problems
What should be the relationship of bishops to all itinerate pastors?
What should be the relationship of itinerate pastors to the general membership of the church?
What should be the role and status of the laity?
1786 Issue
Wesley sends Dr. Coke back to the States with instructions to appoint Richard Whatcoat as the third General Superintendent.
But Annual Conference dates and agendas had already been set
Further, why would Annual Conferences accept a Wesley appointment?
1786 Issue
As a result, the minutes of the Christmas Conference amended, removing mention of the Methodist Episcopal Church’s agreement to follow the direction of Wesley
Whatcoat not elected bishop Issue settled in 1788 with
replacement of John Wesley's name as one of Episcopal authority.
O’Kelly Schism
Colonial Methodism succeeded because of the efforts of circuit riders, lay preachers, class leaders, and band leaders.
But the question of authority and freedom never found resolution.
Does authority rest with the Episcopacy, laity, or both?
O’Kelly Schism
First General Conference, November of 1792, in Baltimore
Wesley died one month prior to Conference
O’Kelly advocates a permanent General Conference to limit the authority of the General Superintendents (esp. Asbury)
O’Kelly Schism
“After the bishop appoints the preachers at conference to their circuits, if anybody thinks himself injured by the appointment,”… one can appeal to their conference, who may overrule the appointment and request that the bishop make a new one.
O’Kelly Schism
While the motion ultimately fails, it did raise the question of the authority of the bishop.
O’Kelly leaves and forms the Republican Methodist Church, which later becomes the Christian Church.
Many pastors and laity leave the Methodist Episcopal Church
Traveling vs. Local Preacher
Traveling Preachers held full membership in an Annual Conference and was ordained either as deacon or elder.
Local Preachers were authorized to work only with a specific location. Often local preachers trained to become a traveling preacher.
Traveling vs. Local Preacher
Local Preachers, in certain circumstances, given permission to administer the Sacraments.
Handled the day-to-day ministries of a local community while the Circuit Riders attended to many communities.
Traveling vs. Local Preacher
So only Traveling Preachers were itinerates.
Many traveling preachers surrender membership to an Annual Conference and become a local preacher (settling down, raising a family, etc)
Traveling vs. Local Preacher
The large difference: membership to an Annual Conference.
Four Characteristics of Traveling Preacher (Brunson, 1856)ConversionFruitsCalling of GodSeals from the Church
Traveling vs. Local Preacher
The intineracy kept traveling preachers on the move in a specific region for a determined length of time.
A circuit often composed of numerous preaching points
The combination of these two systems, however, well suited for Western expansion.
Traveling vs. Local Preacher
Problems raised with itineracy No chance to acquire property Difficult to raise family No retirement plans Poor salaries Health problems common Imposed an involuntary celibacy Would not know of appointment until
Bishop read the list at end of the Annual Conference
Presiding Elders vs. Presiding Bishops
Presiding Elders (District Superintendents) originally designated to provide leadership and sacraments to the unordained preachers. Also, Assisted in communication between
Annual Conferences (esp. appointments)
Aided the Bishop in administrative duties
Duties of a General Superintendent
Fix the Appointments Preside in Conferences Change, receive and suspend
preachers Oversee spiritual and temporal
business Ordain deacons, elders and bishops
Early General Superintendents
Francis Asbury Dr. Thomas Coke Richard Whatcoat William McKendree Enoch George Robert R. Roberts
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