The Andover Resolutions

In the early 1800s, there was a group within the Methodist Episcopal Church that continued to oppose the owning of slaves by Methodists, preserving the spirit of John Wesley. After repeated attempts to challenge the compromises that many members, pastors, and even bishops were willing to make to accommodate the owning of slaves, several pastors determined that they must leave that church and form a new group. This group would reflect their understanding of Scripture and the teachings of John Wesley.

In February of 1843, this group of pastors met in Andover, Massachusetts. There, they created a formal statement of their reasons for leaving the Methodist Episcopal Church and invited those who shared their convictions to a convention in Utica, New York. Here, a new Wesleyan Methodist connection would be organized. We are fortunate to have the hand-written minutes of that gathering in the archives of The Wesleyan Church.

You can see the entire minutes of that meeting here. Find the section on “Resolutions” and carefully read Resolutions 1-11. Here you will see the founding principles upon which the Wesleyan Methodist Connection was formed.

The founders of our denomination were loyal churchmen. However, they had reached a point where their consciences compelled them to part company with the church to which they belonged. Would you ever consider such a move, if The Wesleyan Church were to take action you believed was serious enough to cause a breach? Below are several issues that have confronted The Wesleyan Church in the past few decades.

1) The Wesleyan Church allows members who are not ministers or not serving in leadership to drink alcoholic beverages in moderation. As mentioned, those who are clergy or laity who hold key leadership positions are asked to totally abstain from such drink. There are those who believe that such a prohibition is unbiblical and counterproductive to the mission of the church. They believe that it is a disputable issue and that any believer ought to be free to follow their own conscience and understanding of scripture on this matter. Suppose that the denomination changed its position in accord with those who advocate removing any prohibition of drinking alcoholic beverages. Would that be a sufficient reason to break with the denomination? Why or why not?

2) Since its earliest years, The Wesleyan Church has opposed membership in societies, such as the Masonic Order, Elks, Oddfellows, believing that their use of secret oaths and spiritual practices constitutes a false religion that is contrary to Christian teaching. Clergy and laypersons in leadership roles cannot be both members of one of the orders and The Wesleyan Church. There are those who claim the oaths are not taken literally and the religious practices affirm Christian ideals. They would say that to deprive those who have long generational ties with these organizations the right to be both Wesleyans and Masons is an over-reaction. Suppose The Wesleyan Church decided to allow any member or clergy to belong to both organizations. Would that be a sufficient reason to break with the denomination? Why or why not?

3) The Wesleyan Church has taken a strong stance against the growing acceptance of homosexual practice and same-sex unions in our society. One cannot be a member of The Wesleyan Church if you are a practicing homosexual or a partner in a same-sex marriage. There are those outside the church who argue that the key passages are about something else like temple prostitution or pedophilia and that monogamous gay marriage is not addressed. Suppose The Wesleyan Church would decide to allow its members and clergy to enter into same-sex unions or marriages. Would that be a sufficient reason to break with the denomination? The Global Methodist Church certainly has thought so. Why or why not?

In an essay of 250-300 words, choose one of these scenarios (or address one of your own) and explain the reasons why you would leave or remain with The Wesleyan Church over that issue. On what criteria would you base your decision? This assignment is worth 40 points.