WHY WESLEY?
By Terry Carty, tcarty@youthworkermovement.org and Hank Hilliard, hhilliard@gbod.org

1. WHY WESLEY?
   • The denominations that trace their heritage to Wesley are “rediscovering” him.
   • Wesley was not a protestor; he wanted to help people live what they believe.
   • Wesley focused on 1st Century Christianity with current methods.
   • Emergent thinking: Brian McLaren says share the religious ‘treasures’ among
     denominations; Wesley is our treasure to share
2. THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY.
   • One of 19 children! (And I thought my wife had it rough!)
   • Methodist was originally a derogatory term. (Still is in some circles)
   • Came to Georgia and flopped.
   • Refused an ex-girlfriend and her new man communion. (sore loser)
   • Realized he was not even himself converted to God.
   • Back in England, he realized his trust in Christ.
   • His style did not fit with the church. (sound familiar?)
   • Preached on his father's tombstone. (ever try that one?)
   • Preached over 40,000 sermons! (and you thought two a week was hard)
   • Formed "societies" or small groups.

   “Do all the good you can,
   By all the means you can,
   In all the ways you can,
   In all the places you can,
   At all the times you can,
   To all the people you can,
   As long as ever you can.”

3. GRACE (NOT THE EX-GIRLFRIEND)
   • Love vs Law
   • Grace: A Way of referring to God’s unique relationship with human beings.
   • By Grace God gives salvation. People don’t save themselves or anyone else.
4. NO MAN OR WOMAN IS AN ISLAND
   • Phrase coined by John Donne in the early 1600's.
   • Humans suffer when isolated. Yet, we find ways to isolate ourselves everyday.
   • In ministry, you can isolate yourself without even knowing it.
   • Lone Ranger ministry is bad ministry.
   • Connection is essential to a thriving ministry and a healthy minister.
   • Youth are desperate for connection. Model it for them
   • "The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion"
5. DISTINCTIVES OF WESLEYAN YOUTH MINISTRY
   • Not just youth group; individual relationships and small groups; practices that lead to Christian living
   • Focus on the “Way of Salvation”: discovering God, accepting God’s grace, living
     God’s life
   • 3 Simple Rules: no harm, do good, love God
   • Accountability to God and to peers
   • Mission and outreach (disciple lifestyle)
   • Passion to Go tell: universal salvation
6. METHODIST AND WESLEYAN RESOURCES OR PRACTICAL WESLEY TEACHING (We can go two ways on this – we’ll figure it out as we go!)
   List of resources:.)
   • Abingdon Youth (United Methodist Publishing House)
   • Barefoot Ministries (Church of the Nazarene)
   • Cokesbury (United Methodist Publishing House)
   • Discipleship Resources (related to UM Board of Discipleship
   • Upper Room/Devozine (related to UM Board of Discipleship)
   • Resource Hub
     http://www.gbod.org/youngpeople/worker/search.htm
   • USA National Organization of UM/Wesleyan Youthworkers
     www.YouthWorkerMovement.org (free membership online)

   Practical ways to use Wesley teaching to students:

   • Quadrilateral (teach youth how to think rather than what to think)
   • Teaching on money
   • Missions teach mercy and justice ministry
   • Practice and discussion-based curriculum
   • Constantly Improving Ministry
     "Once in seven years I burn all my sermons; for it is a shame if I cannot write better sermons now than I did seven years ago.
7. FREE-4-ALL

What is your wisdom about Wesley and Methodism?