The Primitive Methodist Movement Blog

Read Chapter 13 of Turning the World Upside Down

2012-01-23T14:07:00.000+11:00

Previous chapters

Read Introduction

Read chapter 1 - The masses, machines and Methodism

Read chapter 2 - The messengers

Read chapter 3 - Mow Cop beginnings

Read chapter 4 - Mission to the Midlands

Read chapter 5 - Message, mob and magistrate

Read chapter 6 - Mission to Hull

Read chapter 7 - Meltdown

Read chapter 8 - Moving from crisis to cholera

Read chapter 9 - Mission to Australia and New Zealand

Read chapter 10 - Memorial

Read chapter 11 - Maturity

Read chapter 12 - Merger and decline

Read ahead ...

Read Chapter 12 of Turning the World Upside Down

2012-01-09T13:55:00.000+11:00

Read ahead ...

A child is born

2011-12-23T11:33:00.000+11:00

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will
be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9 verse 6

Good News of Great Joy

2011-12-22T10:12:00.000+11:00

The prequel to our film, 'The Christmas Story' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWq60oyrHVQ), as told by the kids of St Paul's Church Auckland.

View here

The Christmas Story

2011-12-20T09:59:00.002+11:00

'The Christmas Story' (2010), as told by the children of St Paul's Church, Auckland, New Zealand

View here

Read Chapter 11 of Turning the World Upside Down

2011-12-13T13:44:00.000+11:00

Read ahead ...

Read Chapter 10 of Turning the World Upside Down

2011-11-27T13:28:00.000+11:00

Read ahead ...

Happy, if with my latest breath …

2011-11-24T12:54:00.000+11:00

Daniel Draper was known as the ‘second founder’ of Wesleyan Methodism in South Australia. During his nine years of leadership in Adelaide from 1846 to 1855 membership increased ten fold. After this, he became superintendent of the Wesley church in Melbourne.

In 1865 he returned to England as a representative at the British Conference. He made arrangements to return to Australia, booking a passage on the steamship London, bound for Melbourne.

The badly overloaded ship foundered in the Bay of Biscay on 11 January 1866, and sank during a storm. There were only 19 survivors out of a total of some 239 passengers on board.

The survivors told the story of how Draper prayed on deck, urging the doomed passengers to make ‘the port of heaven’. He sang the hymn ‘Rock of Ages’ as the ship went down. He brought hope where there was no hope.

When news reached Australia of his death, friends recalled the fervour with which he had often sung the lines of Charles Wesley:

Happy, if with my latest breath
I may but gasp His name;
Preach Him to all, and cry in death;
Behold, behold the Lamb!

It was Draper’s lot to be given the opportunity to make those words a tragic reality amid the heaving waters off the coast of France.

Related posts

What a way to go!

Everyman ready for glory!

Rescued

Memorial to a church planter

Abridged from This side of heaven, Arnold D. Hunt, page 38-39 and other sources

What a way to go!

2011-11-22T10:27:00.002+11:00

George Cole was born in Chichester, in Sussex in 1792. He became a devout “Bible Christian” Methodist believer whilst living in England. Later he emigrated to South Australia in 1839 and on his arrival in Adelaide became a Wesleyan Methodist.

He died on November 21st 1853 whilst leading a public worship service in Adelaide. He was reading the passage in John chapter 1, where John the Baptist denies being the messiah, and read the words

He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Christ.’” (John 1:20)

George Cole got to the last word in verse 20, and then collapsed and died. Thus he went to heaven with the name of “Christ” literally on his lips. He was 61 years old.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee. (from the hymn Rock of Ages)

What a way to go!

Related posts

Everyman ready for glory!

Rescued

Memorial to a church planter

From This side of heaven, Arnold D. Hunt, page 44

Read Chapter 9 of Turning the World Upside Down

2011-11-14T13:14:00.000+11:00

Read ahead ...

Remembering

2011-11-08T11:21:00.003+11:00

This Friday will be 11.11.11 (11 November, 2011). At eleven seconds after eleven minutes past eleven it will be 11.11.11am on 11.11.11. Now I'm not a big fan of the significance of numbers, but the 11th of November each year is known as Remembrance Day because at 11:00am we pause for two minutes silence to remember those who died in war.

Remembrance Day was instituted to remember the signing of the armistice on 11 November 1918, the event that formally ended the First World War.

World War I was a terrible war, ironically called ‘the war to end all wars’. Many thousands of young men lost their lives in seemingly pointless battles in the trenches of northern France.

Tens of thousands were killed in places such as Ypres, The Somme, Passchendaele and Fromelles . In the battle of The Somme, some 58,000 British troops were killed on the first day alone. It was carnage on a massive scale.

It is estimated that some ten million men were killed in the war. So many men of marriagable age were wiped out that after the war they became known as The Missing Generation. It was much harder for women to marry because of the shortage of eligible men. The social consequences were significant.

Today we have another Missing Generation. It is a missing generation of young men and women who are missing from the church and the cause of Christ. Congregations are getting older, and are literally dying off, with many fewer young adults to replace them. Surveys in the UK and Australia show the same trend.

We have a rising generation of young people who may never have been to church (except for a wedding or a funeral), who have not read anything much of the Bible, and who have never clearly heard or experienced the life changing gospel of Christ. Their image of Christianity, and church in particular, is often one of being irrelevant, and out of touch with the real world.

This Missing Generation are a harvest field to be reached for the gospel of Christ. Let us not forget them.

So this November 11th will you pause to pray for the Missing Generation, for those that need to hear the gospel? Will you remember them?

Related posts

1. Always hope

2. Why Innovation is needed in church life

3. ANZAC Day Reflection

4. Asking the hard questions

Read Chapter 8 of Turning the World Upside Down

2011-11-01T12:35:00.000+11:00

Read ahead ...

Read Chapter 7 of Turning the World Upside Down

2011-10-26T12:24:00.001+11:00

Read ahead ...

The book of Acts in 3 minutes

2011-10-25T10:31:00.001+11:00

Click here to view

Broken

2011-10-11T12:34:00.002+11:00

We live in a broken world.

After the recent London riots, Prime Minister David Cameron spoke candidly and courageously of “Broken Britain” and "slow-motion moral collapse". This was an honest assessment of the state of some parts of British society and community. One of the key factors he identified is that of troubled families.

But it’s not just Britain that is broken. All across the western world, and especially here in Melbourne, we have evidence all around of a broken, dysfunctional society. Many young people lack a clear sense of identity, leading to depression, hopelessness and even suicide.

Binge drinking and alcohol fuelled violence is common place. Clubs and pubs are fighting the move to limit the amounts gamblers can use on poker machines, in a tacit admission that problem gambling is responsible for much of their revenue.

Way back in the 1850s the people in the lower ranks of English society were the poor. Their lives were characterised by drunkenness, fighting, gambling, cruelty to animals, reckless living, immorality and criminal behaviour. They were often illiterate, hungry, desperate and hopeless.

In short, they were part of a broken Britain.

But one group enabled the pieces to be put back together. The Primitive Methodists brought a message of hope and transformation. The change was so significant that the 1851 census noted their success.

“that … for every convert added to their ranks, society retains one criminal, one drunkard, one improvident, less.” (An improvident is one who is careless, reckless or negligent)

Will you pray with me that God will raise up a group of people who are as passionate and as effective as the Primitive Methodists?

Read Chapter 6 of Turning the World Upside Down

2011-10-08T10:14:00.000+11:00

Read ahead ...

Summary of posts for August / September

2011-09-30T11:04:00.000+10:00

Here is a summary from my blog of the posts for August and September.

As you will see the main theme is publishing chapters from my forthcoming book "Turning the World Upside Down - lessons from the Primitive Methodist movement".

I am also in the process of getting details of a theatre production about Primitive Methodism called "The Burning Mountain" performed by the Victoria Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent some years ago. The theatre archivist has been very helpful and the good news is that there’s a vast amount of reference material. The challenge will be to select the best from the good.

Read a chapter from Turning the Word Upside Down

Read Chapter 5 - Message, mob and magistrate

Read Chapter 4 - Mission to the Midlands

Read Chapter 3 - Mow Cop beginnings

Read Chapter 2 - Messengers

Intro Chapter 1 - Machines, the masses and Methodism

George Barna provides some challenging research on significant obstacles to spiritual transformation

Read Chapter 5 of Turning the World Upside Down

2011-09-26T12:32:00.000+10:00

Previous chapters

Read Introduction

Read chapter 1 - The masses, machines and Methodism

Read chapter 2 - The messengers

Read chapter 3 - Mow Cop beginnings

Read chapter 4 - Mission to the Midlands

Read ahead ...

Four obstacles to transformation (4)

2011-09-22T11:52:00.000+10:00

The Barna Group surveys religious belief and opinions in an American context. George Barna has identified four significant obstacles to spiritual transformation for self-identified Christians in the United States.
The obstacles to transformation are

1. Commitment

2. Repentance

3. Activity

4. Spiritual Community

Obstacle 4: Spiritual Community

Most feel comfortable and connected within their church

However, there is not much vulnerability and accountability occurring within the context of those connections.

Many do not take their faith community seriously, as a place to which they should be open and held to biblical principles.

Only one out of every five believes that spiritual maturity requires a vital connection to a community of faith.

Only one-third claim to have confessed their sins verbally to another believer at some point during the past quarter

Four obstacles to transformation (3)

2011-09-21T11:38:00.000+10:00

The Barna Group surveys religious belief and opinions in an American context. George Barna has identified four significant obstacles to spiritual transformation for self-identified Christians in the United States.

The obstacles to transformation are

1. Commitment

2. Repentance

3. Activity

4. Spiritual Community

Obstacle 3: Activity

Tens of millions have confused religious activity with spiritual significance and depth

Four out of ten have participated in a combination of three “normal” religious activities in the past week (i.e., attending church services, praying, reading the Bible).

Far fewer have engaged in deeper faith expressions:

less than one out of ten have talked about their faith with a non-Christian

fasted for religious purposes

had an extended time of spiritual reflection during the past week

spiritual disciplines – including solitude, sacrifice, acts of service, silence, and scriptural meditation – are infrequently practiced

Next obstacle: Community

Related links

1. Self-Described Christians Dominate America but Wrestle with Four Aspects of Spiritual Depth

2. Obstacles to spiritual transformation - commitment

3. Obstacles to spiritual transformation - repentance

4. A Biblical Worldview Has a Radical Effect on a Person's Life

5. Six trends emerging for 2011

6. Are we becoming Biblically illiterate?

7. How do we keep our spiritual fervour?

Four obstacles to transformation (2)

2011-09-20T11:08:00.002+10:00

Commitment

Repentance

Activity

Spiritual Community

Obstacle 2: Repentance

Most (64%) state that they have confessed their sins to God and asked for His forgiveness

Evidence is quite clear that relatively few are serious about abandoning the lure of sin and handing total control of their life to God

Research found that only one out of every eight (12%) admitted that recognizing and grasping the significance of their sins had been so personally devastating that it caused them to crash emotionally

Only about 3% have come to the final stops on the transformational journey – devoting themselves to loving and serving God and other people

Next obstacle: Activity

Related links

1. Self-Described Christians Dominate America but Wrestle with Four Aspects of Spiritual Depth

2. Obstacles to spiritual transformation - commitment

3. A Biblical Worldview Has a Radical Effect on a Person's Life

4. Six trends emerging for 2011

5. Are we becoming Biblically illiterate?

Four obstacles to transformation

2011-09-19T12:05:00.003+10:00

Commitment

Repentance

Activity

Spiritual Community

Obstacle 1: Commitment

Most say they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today

More than three out of four strongly agreed that spirituality is very important to them

Less than one out of every five claims to be totally committed to investing in their own spiritual development

About one in five claims to be “completely dependent upon God.”

A majority (52%) believe that there is much more to the Christian life than what they have experienced

Read Chapter 4 of Turning the World Upside Down

2011-09-12T11:16:00.001+10:00

Previous chapters

Read Introduction

Read chapter 1 - The masses, machines and Methodism

Read chapter 2 - The messengers

Read chapter 3 - Mow Cop beginnings

Read ahead ...

Read Chapter 3 of Turning the World Upside Down

2011-08-29T14:06:00.000+10:00

Previous chapters

Read Introduction

Read chapter 1 - The masses, machines and Methodism

Read chapter 2 - The messengers

Read ahead ...

Read Chapter Two

2011-08-18T21:06:00.002+10:00

Click the image to read chapter two of "Turning the world upside down" - The Messengers

Read the introduction and chapter one

Preview "Turning the world upside down"

2011-08-02T12:48:00.003+10:00

Click the image for a sneak peak of the introduction and chapter one of my book "Turning the world upside down - lessons from the Primitive Methodist movement"

Summary of posts

2011-08-01T16:22:00.001+10:00

Here is a summary from my blog of the posts for July.

I am continuing to work on my book "Turning the World Upside Down - lessons from the Primitive Methodist movement", and I'm in the "getting ready for publication stage", needing a graphic designer to help with the jacket cover. Printing in hardback in the UK is an attractive option, but I need to resolve the distribution costs for sale in Australia.

Well done Cadel! - Reflections from the Tour De France

Man finds hidden treasure - Why I am passionate about Primitive Methodism

Men versus women - Celebrating God-given differences

How to view my blog on your iPhone - using the Pulse app

Well done Cadel!

2011-07-25T12:40:00.000+10:00

Australian Cadel Evans won the yellow jersey in the Tour de France this year. Even the most casual observer of the Tour de France will know that there are a number of colored jerseys given on the race. They are:

The Green Jersey – given to the best sprinter - won by Mark Cavendish (Britain)

The Polka Dot Jersey – awarded to the best mountain climber - won by Samuel Sanchez (Spain)

The White Jersey – the best young rider - awarded to Pierre Rolland (France)

and most famously, the Yellow Jersey – given to the overall leader - Cadel Evans who becomes Australia's first winner

There is another race – it’s the race heading for heaven. The apostle Paul describes it like this:

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)

You can almost imagine the apostle straining forward on his bike, (yes, I know he did not have a bike back then), climbing the mountain pass, and eager to win the yellow jersey. Can you see him striving to win the prize?

When we have a relationship with Jesus Christ, when our sins are forgiven and we follow Jesus then we are in the race for heaven and we will receive the prize, the winners’ jersey awarded to all those who trust in him, and truly believe in him.

With eternal life there is a winners’ jersey for every competitor who finishes the race. Unlike the Tour de France it is not an exclusive competition.

Are you heading for heaven?

Related posts

Heaven

What is heaven like?

On getting to heaven

Eternity

Every man ready for glory

Man finds hidden treasure

2011-07-19T12:10:00.000+10:00

In 2009, Terry Herbert, an amateur metal detector discovered a large cache of Anglo-Saxon treasure, buried in a farmer’s field in Staffordshire, England. It was a stunning discovery, which proved to be the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found, containing 5kg of gold and 2.5 kg of silver. It had lain hidden for many hundreds of years. The excitement of making such a find must have been hard to contain and soon became headline news around the world:

Largest ever hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold found in Staffordshire

First pieces of gold were found in a farm field by an amateur metal detector who lives alone on disability benefit (Guardian, 24 Sept 2009)

Huge Anglo-Saxon gold hoard found

BBC News, 24 Sept 2009

Here are some links to some of the items found.

Gallery1
Gallery2
Gallery3
Gallery4
Gallery5

I feel like Terry Herbert and his discovery of long hidden treasure in Staffordshire. Significantly my find was also made in Staffordshire. For me, discovering the story of the Primitive Methodist movement has been like finding a hoard of hidden treasure. It continues to inspire me. In the space of a few short decades this dynamic movement transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of working class men, women and children. How God did that and the lessons we can learn from this movement are the subject of this blog.

That's why I am writing about Primitive Methodism

Men versus women

2011-07-12T12:38:00.000+10:00

As the public debate to redefine marriage gathers momentum, it is important to understand the differences between men and women, and why marriage is a union of a man and a woman. Here are some brilliant video clips on some of those differences:

"Wedding cake" from Man Stroke Woman

Click here to view

Man Stroke Woman - Man Cold

Click here to view

Mark Gungor - Men's Brain Women's Brain

Click here to view

How to view my blog on your iPhone

2011-07-04T08:50:00.000+10:00

in four simple steps

1. Install the Pulse News for iPhone app

it's free!

2. Search for "Primitive Methodist Blog"

3. Press the "+" button"

Add "daves-little-blog"

4. Scroll down until you find this blog feed

It's that simple!

Further links

1. The Primitive Methodist Movement Blog

2. Centenary plate

3. Primitive Methodist movement

4. Why Primitive?

Summary of posts

2011-06-27T12:07:00.000+10:00

Here is a summary from my blog of the posts for May and June. In June we developed a prototype "Shout-O-Meter" to measure the decibels during a Primitive Methodist shout during a prayer meeting.

I am continuing to work on my book "Turning the World Upside Down - lessons from the Primitive Methodist movement". I'm getting initial estimates from printers.

Shout-O-Meter The first prototype to measure spiritual effectiveness (just for fun)!

How does your garden grow? A brief overview of two methods of growth - budding and offshoots

Multiplication by budding - as used in the "Branch" system

Method 2: Multiplication by offshoots (seedlings) - as used in Circuit Missions

Multiplication by seeds

It is more blessed to give than to receive - quotations from rich philanthropists

Jubilee Church celebrations - reflections on Chewton Jubilee Church 150 year anniversary

On this day ... two hundred years ago the first membership tickets were issued

On this day … two hundred years ago in May 1811, Hugh Bourne’s Camp Meeting Methodists and William Clowes’ group (the Clowesites) join forces

What’s in a name? There may be two names for a movement. One they choose and another chosen by outsiders

Multiplication by seeds

2011-06-22T11:45:00.000+10:00

The second method of geographical extension is that of multiplication by seeds (or offshoots). The analogy here is that of a seed being blown by the wind to a distant location and takes root. The wind blown seed takes root because the destination environment is favourable. Sometimes a seed will land in an unexpected place.

This method was used by the Primitive Methodist Circuits to start missions in distant locations. The Hull circuit in the north east of England started missions in Kent, Bedford, Hertfordshire, Cornwall, and two missions to London. Overseas mission began in 1829 just two decades after the first official class started in 1810 with ten members.

Table: Circuit missions (seed multiplication)

Related posts

1. Multiplication by budding
2. Multiplication by offshoots (seedlings)
3. History of the Primitive Methodist Connexion, Kendal, page 22

Method 2: Multiplication by offshoots (seedlings)

2011-06-21T10:33:00.000+10:00

The second method of geographical extension is that of multiplication by offshoots. The analogy here is that of a seed being blown by the wind to a distant location and takes root. The wind blown seed takes root because the destination environment is favourable. Sometimes a seed will land in an unexpected place.

This method was used by the Primitive Methodist Circuits to start missions in distant locations. So for example, the Hull circuit in the north east of England started a mission in Cornwall in the far south west of England.

“In 1825 [William] Clowes entered Cornwall as the first Primitive Methodist Missionary, in response to a request from Mr. Turner, who …had been working on Primitive Methodist lines though unattached to any religious community. Beginning under such favourable circumstances, the Cornish mission made progress and soon extended itself into Devonshire.”

Related posts

Multiplication by budding

History of the Primitive Methodist Connexion, Kendal, page 22

Multiplication by budding

2011-06-16T10:24:00.000+10:00

The "Branch" system was a form of multiplication by budding. The Primitive Methodist historian H. B. Kendall notes that

The Home Branch, as it was called, exercised rights of jurisdiction and government over the most distant branch, while for local purposes that branch had all the rights of initiative and independence …

This system ensured the certainty of competent advisers being available for every emergency - of financial help when required - and of the constant supply and frequent interchange of suitable preachers. Then when the branch had proved itself
capable of self-government, it was let go with a blessing.

Thus William Clowes records that in March, 1826, “it was ascertained that from the fruitful mother, Hull, twenty-one circuits had been made, with 8,455 members; and that with the venerable parent there remained 3,541; consequently, from January 12, 1819, the day when I began the Hull mission, a period of seven years and two months, the Hull circuit alone had raised up in the Primitive Methodist Connexion 11,996 souls! Hosannah! Hosannah!”

Next post: Multiplication by offshoots

Related links

http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/wong/bot135/lect03_b.htm

Multiplication by budding

History of the Primitive Methodist Connexion, Kendal, page 21

How does your garden grow?

2011-06-14T10:07:00.000+10:00

As a movement grows, patterns begin to emerge. For the Primitive Methodist movement two patterns of multiplication were identified from the natural world. These patterns characterised geographical extension of the early years.

The first was called multiplication by budding based on the biology of yeast cell propagation.

The second was multiplication by seedlings, based on the idea of a seed being caught by the wind and blown to a distant location.

Method 1: Multiplication by budding

A yeast cell multiplies by a process known as budding as shown in the diagram above.

A yeast cell that is about to bud has a predetermined area of the cell that becomes blown out forming a new cell, the so-called bud. (a)
The nucleus will divide with one nucleus migrating into the new cell. (b)

When the new cell is approximately the size of the original cell, the cells will seal off the opening and separate, giving rise to two yeast cells. (c)

The emphasis on this form of multiplication is that of geographical proximity and control whilst the new cell forms. The parent cell provides supervisory control over the child cell until it gets to a level of maturity.

Next post: The Branch System - Multiplication by budding

Related links

http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/wong/bot135/lect03_b.htm

Multiplication by offshoots

Shout-O-Meter

2011-06-07T15:25:00.000+10:00

1. Shout to the Lord

2. Practicing a shout

It is more blessed to give than to receive

2011-06-06T14:15:00.000+10:00

Here are some quotations on the practical benefit of giving (philanthropy) from the Business Day section of The Saturday Age June 4 2011.

I’ve worked in an economy that rewards someone who saves the lives of others on a battlefield with a medal, rewards a great teacher with thank-you notes from parents, but rewards those who can detect the mispricing of securities with sums reaching into the billions. (Warren Buffett)

Making a difference in people’s lives – and seeing it with your own eyes – is perhaps the most satisfying thing you’ll ever do. If you want to enjoy life – give. (Michael Bloomberg)

We have been blessed with good fortune beyond our wildest expectations, and we are profoundly grateful. But just as these gifts are great, so we feel a great responsibility to use them well. (Melinda and Bill Gates)

I cannot think of a more personally rewarding and appropriate use of wealth than to give while one is living – to personally devote oneself to meaningful efforts to improve the human condition. (Chuck Feeney)

Jubilee Church celebrations

2011-05-31T17:26:00.000+10:00

Jubilee Church celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. Located in Chewton, near to Castlemaine in the state of Victoria, Australia, it was opened on June 2 1861 at a cost of £535. For the first forty years it was the Jubilee Primitive Methodist Church. It was founded ten years after the Victorian gold rush, in a context very different from today.

In one hundred and fifty years since 1861 much has changed.

In the 1840s, emigration from England to the colonies was increasing year by year. But what started as a trickle soon became a flood with the Victorian gold rush of 1851. The discovery of gold brought significant wealth to cities like Melbourne, regional centres like Bendigo and towns like Castlemaine. The emigrants also included Primitive Methodists who wanted to bring their spiritual heritage to their new home. They came to Melbourne in 1851 and spread to regional Victoria in the decade that followed, including communities like Chewton.

Known as Ranters, the Primitive Methodists were men and women with a message. They were bold, powerful and effective. They preached boldly, speaking with authority and clearly proclaiming the gospel in public spaces.

They preached powerfully with great emotion and pathos, communicating to the heart and not just the mind. They preached effectively and the lives of many of their hearers were changed radically and often dramatically as the message of Christ took hold and became fruitful. Changed hearts led to changed lives.

Their message was a simple gospel call, “you must be born again”. These words, echoing the famous words of Jesus in his encounter with Nicodemus in John 3:3 became a catch-cry for the movement. Conversion is a radical U-turn in which people are born again of the Spirit of God, preceded by turning away from sin - repentance.

They also proclaimed a free, full and present salvation.

They preached a free salvation, in other words that we can be saved through faith as a free gift. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9).

They preached a present salvation – that we can be saved now, and that the time to be saved is now. “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

They preached a full salvation. This was also called entire sanctification or holiness of heart. Sanctification is the process of becoming like Christ. In other words they believed that we aim for, and can reach perfection in our sanctification, as taught by John Wesley.

The Primitive Methodist missionary pioneers also believed that our life here on earth is temporary. In their terminology, life is but a “probationary existence”. We human beings are destined to face the Great Judgment where Christ will be judge of all. The apostle Paul calls this “the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed” (Romans 2:5). God’s wrath or his righteous anger will one day be revealed to us all.

Therefore they preached, boldly and courageously “flee from the wrath to come”. The pioneers believed in the reality of heaven and hell. Those who have been saved from God’s righteous anger, by the undeserved gift of God’s grace through Christ are saved to live and reign with Christ in heaven. Those who reject God’s free gift will face the consequences of God’s anger. They were clear and forthright about these eternal realities.

As a result individuals, families and communities were transformed. Those whose lives and relationships were devastated by alcohol abuse, became sober. Men who dealt with anger by getting into fist fights became men of peace. Broken families were restored, relationships renewed, and hatred was replaced by love. Those who wasted their hard-earned wages on gambling became prudent with money. Foul-mouthed cursing men and women learned to speak words of truth and grace.

In our day the religious and social landscape of Australia is very different from that of 1861.

Today we live in a very different world. The Industrial Revolution has been and gone. The rate of technological change is breath-taking. The church in the Western world is in a serious state of decline, as older congregations die off and with fewer young people replacing them. Consequently many church buildings are being sold off. There are whole generations who are largely absent from the church today.

But over the years the problems of human nature remain. Our communities are broken and in pain. Social evils such as alcohol abuse and gambling cause devastation all around. Families are breaking up under the pressures of modern living. Young people are not sure of their identity and sometimes fall into the depths of depression as a result. My identity - “Who I am” - is not determined by the number of friends on Facebook, but by what God thinks of me.

As the celebrations of the opening of Jubilee Primitive Methodist Church 150 years ago go ahead, I pray that the life changing message of the gospel of Jesus Christ may be proclaimed with fresh clarity, authority and power to a new generation of young people.

Primitive Methodism

Large oak trees from small acorns grow.

The Ranters are coming

What's in a name? Why Primitive Methodism?

Primitive Methodist Centenary Plate

Marking the start of a movement

On this day ...

2011-05-30T11:37:00.000+10:00

... two hundred years ago a new movement emerged. One of the visible aspects of this movement was membership tickets.

In May 1811, Hugh Bourne’s Camp Meeting Methodists and the Clowesites agreed to join forces. In so doing, a new denomination was born, although they had no formal name. The printed ticket of membership was the first visible symbol of corporate life. The tickets were dated May 30, 1811 and contained the following quotation from Acts 28:22 in the King James translation:

“But we desire to hear of what thou thinkest:
for as concerning this sect,
we know that everywhere it is spoken against”

Persecution and opposition became a badge of honour for this movement, later known as Primitive Methodism.

On this day …

2011-05-26T13:33:00.000+10:00

… May 26, 1811, two hundred years ago, a new move of God began to take shape. It took place in Mr. Smith’s kitchen in Tunstall - the home styled pulpit is in the picture. The ripples from this movement would spread around the world in the decades to follow.

In May 1811, two separate groups, Hugh Bourne’s Camp Meeting Methodists and William Clowes’ group (the Clowesites) agreed to join forces. In so doing, a new denomination was born, although they had no formal name.
On May 26 they gathered in Mr. Smith’s kitchen, and agreed on the rudimentary organisation of the new denomination. They agreed that two itinerant preachers, James Crawfoot and William Clowes, would be maintained by the contributions of the joint societies. These travelling preachers were missionaries who went from place to place, preaching in the open-air, in public spaces, such as market places, farmers’ fields or any available location.

The new movement had a basic form of organisation. It had distinctive characteristics, namely zealous and vehement prayer with a strong evangelistic focus. They were passionate about preaching the gospel. Their methods including loud shouting and singing, open-air preaching and Camp Meetings. They inherited the Methodist structure of classes, societies, circuits and local preachers.

From such humble origins began a movement that dramatically changed lives and communities in England and well beyond.

Large oak trees from small acorns grow

What's in a name? Why Primitive Methodism?

Primitive Methodist Centenary Plate

Marking the start of a movement

Two hundred years ago this month …

What’s in a name?

2011-05-24T11:36:00.000+10:00

Every person has a name. Everyone has a name that they would prefer to be called by. Some of us also have names that others give to us, such as a nickname. We may or may not like the name or names people call us, but we cannot control how others refer to us.

Like people, every identifiable movement of God has a name.

The early followers of Jesus chose a name for themselves. They described themselves as followers of The Way (Acts 9:2, Acts 22:4, Acts 24:14). This is the name the believers preferred.

But the name that others gave them was first used in Antioch. Acts 11:26 says “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch”. The word Christian means "Christ followers" or "those of the household of Christ". It is used three times in the New Testament. In Acts 26:28 ‘Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”‘ Peter observes “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” (1Peter 4:16) For the early believers, being known as a Christian was not easy.

The Jewish religion was legally protected by Rome. Being known as Christians meant that they risked losing that protection. They were not just a sect within Judaism. They had much in common with the Jews but they appealed to non Jews as well.

It is quite possible that the name “Christian” was a term of derision when first used, but in the providence of God it was the name that stuck.

The Primitive Methodists chose their own name on Feb 13, 1812. They decided on “The Society of the Primitive Methodists”. But like the early Christians they had another name not of their own choosing.

For the pioneer Primitive Methodists their “Antioch” was the village of Belper in Derbyshire in 1814. It was there that they were first called “Ranters”. It was definitely not a name they would have chosen for themselves.

In fact the name Ranter was most often used as a term of derision, scorn and abuse. Many a young convert experienced verbal assault as their persecutors and opponents mockingly called them a Ranter.

However, there was an upside to the name. When word got round that a Ranter preacher was coming to town, a curious and sometimes hostile crowd would gather. It meant that you could not ignore the Ranters. You were either for them or against them.

Ranter preachers often faced a barrage of eggs, rotting vegetables, mud and worse as they preached in the open air. Violence and opposition was part of the package for the early pioneers.

The name Ranter was providentially used of God.

So … what’s in a name? A great deal, but it may not be the one we would choose!

1. Why 'Primitive' Methodism?

2. How the Primitive Methodists got their name

3. What's in a name?

4. The Ranters are coming

5. Opposing the work of God is a risky business

Census reflections

2011-04-14T13:40:00.000+10:00

For research the best source is a primary source. Everything else is secondary, in more ways than one. Now with the benefit of technology, the 1851 Census of Religious Worship is online. It is a primary source for the attendance figures on Census Sunday of the various denominational groupings in the England at that time.

It shows that over half a million people (511,193 to be precise) attended Primitive Methodist places of worship on that day. This includes people who attended multiple services.

The other Christian groups with larger attendance were

Church of England 5.2 million (5,202,551)

Independents 1.2 million (1,214,059)

Particular Baptists 740 thousand (740,732)

Wesley Original Connexion 1.5million (1,544,528)

What is remarkable is that the Primitive Methodists began with 10 formal members in 1810. Now just over forty years later they were the fifth largest denominational group in England.

The motto of the Primitive Methodists was “What hath God wrought!” Certainly this was a significant movement of God that grew rapidly.

Here is the Census extract

Other 1851 Census References

1. Every convert: one criminal, one drunkard, one improvident, less

2. Raising an army

3. Movements that Change the World

4. 1851 Census of Religious worship

Changing the world, one life at a time

2011-04-13T12:54:00.000+10:00

The 1851 Census makes the following observation about the effectiveness of the Primitive Methodists amongst the working classes:

“The community whose operations penetrate deeply through the lower sections of the people is the body called the Primitive Methodists; whose trespasses against what may thought a proper order will most likely be forgiven when it is remembered that perhaps their rough, unformal energy (sic) is best adapted to the class to which it is addressed, and that, at all events, for every convert added to their ranks, society retains one criminal, one drunkard, one improvident, less.” (An improvident is one who is careless, reckless or negligent)

A typical convert was someone whose life was characterised by drunken violence, cursing and swearing, fighting, gambling and reckless living. A prime example is that of one of the founders of the movement, William Clowes. The Primitive Methodists were a loud and noisy group, who saw lives, families and communities changed through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They ministered to the poor, rough and tough members of the community.

How much we need a movement like this in our society today.

Here is the quote in context

Other 1851 Census References
1. Every convert: one criminal, one drunkard, one improvident, less
2. Raising an army
3. Movements that Change the World
4. 1851 Census of Religious worship

Secrets of success

2011-04-12T11:44:00.000+10:00

We all like to read success stories. How did they do it? How did the Primitive Methodists begin a church planting movement that spread throughout every county in England in just a few decades?

One of the answers is they used lay people. The 1851 Census makes the following observation:

At present, the grand employers of lay agency, amongst Dissenters, are the Methodists, who, in the aggregate, possess as many as 20,000 preachers and class leaders not belonging to the ministerial order. Nothing, probably, has more contributed than this to their success amongst the working population. (1851 Census of Religious Worship, page 100).

The Methodists, both Wesleyan and Primitive were skilled in raising up lay preachers and class leaders. The Primitive Methodists in particular, were a lay controlled movement. They understood the power and benefit of identifying and using lay people in ministry.

When Hugh Bourne died in 1852, he had an army of local preachers, class leaders and Sunday School teachers who carried on the work of ministry. Such a large body of lay leaders helps prevent the “cork in the bottle” problem, where a movement is limited by the scarcity of full time, professionally trained ministers.

In his book, Movements that Change the World, Steve Addison identifies rapid mobilisation as one of the essential keys for expanding church planting movements. An army of lay leaders enables rapid expansion.

Here is the actual Census quotation in context

Other 1851 Census References

1. Every convert: one criminal, one drunkard, one improvident, less
2. Raising an army
3. Movements that Change the World
4. 1851 Census of Religious worship

A powerful gospel

2011-03-30T12:42:00.000+11:00

The message proclaimed and preached by the Primitive Methodist pioneers was powerful in its effect.

One such preacher was John Wedgwood, who was the first Primitive Methodist to be imprisoned for open-air preaching in 1817. So powerful was the preaching of Wedgwood and his fellow pioneers that their hearers would sometimes fall to the ground, asking God for mercy.

On one occasion in 1819 when back at Tunstall, the home base for the whole movement, a group of “mourners” were on the ground “crying out for mercy”, in response to Wedgwood’s preaching. Mourners were those who were wrestling with their grief over sin. As a general rule, new converts experienced the process of such mourning, before they came to freedom as new believers in Christ.

On this occasion, a respectable man stood aloof watching the proceedings remarking with considerable disdain “Before I would demean myself as these people are doing there, I would have my hand cut off.”

Soon he too was on the ground crying earnestly for mercy like the rest.[1]

What would happen if the gospel had similar effect today?

Go to jail, go directly to jail (part two)

Go to jail, go directly to jail

Dynamic prayer meetings (part two)

Equipping an army

[1] The Primitive Methodist Connexion: Its Background and early history, pp, 112-113

The storm about hell continues

2011-03-29T11:11:00.001+11:00

Normally at the end of the month I post a simple summary of posts. This month however has been noted in the wider community for a stormy discussion about hell.

I began with a post reviewing a survey by the UK Evangelical Alliance, which showed that the issue over which there is greatest uncertainty is the reality of hell. Only 37% of evangelicals strongly agree that hell is a place where the condemned will suffer eternal conscious pain. Note that this was a survey of 17,000 evangelical believers.

The media storm was triggered by Rob Bell's promotion and launch of his book, Love Wins which examines the Biblical doctrines of heaven and hell. The blogo-sphere and twitter-verse exploded with comment. It subsequently became mainstream news on CNN.

It also seems one of the common links of the case for and against is "Mars Hill". Let me explain.

Rob Bell is pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He proposes what is essentially a universalist approach - in other words "it'll all be alright in the end".

Here is Rob Bell's interview with Martin Bashir.

Click here to view the YouTube clip.

Mark Driscoll is pastor at Mars Hill Church in Seattle. He teaches the reality of heaven and hell and how the idea of God's love is consonant with his righteous anger (wrath).

Here is an extract from Mark Driscoll's sermon on Heaven and Hell given on Sunday 27 March 2011.

Click here to view the full sermon, based on Luke 16:19-31.

In my posts I have explained how the Primitive Methodists were derailed by liberal theology in the late 1880s, over similar questions. By 1900 their theology changed from ‘the Divine Sovereignty’ to ‘the Fatherhood of God’. The all-loving father figure disposed of hell. In effect God became a Santa Claus like figure who presided over the Sunday School picnic. By the time of their centenary in 1907 the doctrine of hell was being substantially watered down.

It seems as though we've been here before.

Other blogs

Remaining Clear On What Is Clear: On Rob Bell Again

On Hell

Bell on Hell

Out of Ur - Rob Bell: Universalist?

Gospel Coalition - Rob Bell: Universalist?

To Hell with Hell

Mark Driscoll on Emerging Church - this message has renewed relevance

Good Marriage Video

2011-03-15T10:11:00.000+11:00

Click here if you cannot see the video

The gathering storm

2011-03-10T11:01:00.000+11:00

In the last week there has been a media storm over heaven and hell. The Blogo-sphere and Twitter-verse exploded with comment, debate and opinion on the question of whether a loving God will send people to hell. It was provoked by Rob Bell's promotion of his new book “Love Wins: Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived”. See other blogs below for some examples.

Similar ideas derailed the Primitive Methodist movement over a century ago. From the mid 1870s various Methodist groups were affected by the acceptance of liberal theology, which included a new and radically different concept of heaven and hell.

Robert Currie notes that after 1875 the concept of hell was increasingly modified. Primitive Methodists noted the concealment of hell in ‘soft and dainty phrases’.

In 1900, Joseph Ritson noted,

‘At the opening of the [nineteenth] century the doctrine of eternal punishment was held almost universally and in its most literal and absolute form… It is still in the creeds, and in some form it is still held by many in all the churches; but it cannot be denied that comparatively little is heard of it in the pulpit.’[1]

The Primitive Methodist pioneers preached a confronting message, namely “flee from the wrath to come”. With the advent of liberalism, the concept of God’s wrath, or righteous anger was downplayed.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, there was not a lot to flee from and the realities of heaven and hell became much more vague concepts. A Ranter preacher had no message to proclaim.

The idea of progress led Methodism to reconstruct its concept of the deity. A Primitive Methodist writing in 1900 saw the most significant change in nineteenth century theology as that from ‘the Divine Sovereignty’ to ‘the Fatherhood of God’…. The all-loving father figure disposed of hell.[2]

Time will tell how the current debate over Rob Bell's book will play out.

Other blogs

Waiting for Rob Bell

Out of Ur - Rob Bell: Universalist?

Gospel Coalition - Rob Bell: Universalist?

To Hell with Hell

[1] Robert Currie, Methodism Divided, (Faber and Faber, London, 1968), p119, quoting the Primitive Methodist magazine December 1900, pp. 823-824

[2] Robert Currie, Methodism Divided, (Faber and Faber, London, 1968), p122

A hell of a storm

2011-03-08T10:42:00.000+11:00

Whilst the storm rages here is a link to a level headed response by Scot McKnight :

Waiting for Rob Bell

Mcknight writes

"My own estimation is that somewhere near 75% of my students, many if not most of them nurtured in the church, are more or less (soft) universalists. They believe in Jesus and see themselves as Christians but don’t find significant problems in God saving Muslims and Buddhists or anyone else on the basis of how God makes such decisions. The Baylor Study of Religion, if my memory is correct, asked a question or two that reveals that an increasing number of American evangelical Christians think the majority of humans will be saved. That’s the issue and Rob Bell had the moxie to write a book about it. He’s rattled cages with his promo video and he will undoubtedly stir the waters in the book"

McKnight's contention is this:

"the approach to this generation is not to denounce their questions, which often enough are rooted in a heightened sensitivity to divine justice and compassion, but to probe their questions from the inside and to probe thoughtful and biblically-responsible resolutions. We need to show that their questions about justice and God’s gracious love are not bad questions but good questions that deserve to be explored"

It's a challenging debate and one that the Primitive Methodists faced over a century ago.

Other blogs

Waiting for Rob Bell

Out of Ur - Rob Bell: Universalist?

Gospel Coalition - Rob Bell: Universalist?

To Hell with Hell

What UK evangelicals think

2011-03-01T16:19:00.000+11:00

Recent research by the UK Evangelical Alliance discovers some interesting facts.

The survey of 17,000 people gives an insight into the beliefs, opinions and habits of evangelical Christians in the UK. Respondents were asked a range of questions on topics like belief in miracles, abortion, the Bible and sex before marriage.

Here is the Online view (best viewed in full screen mode)

Download the PDF

Whilst the survey affirms distinctive characteristics, there is divergence and uncertainty in a number of areas
The issue over which there is greatest uncertainty is the reality of hell. 37% of evangelicals strongly agree that hell is a place where the condemned will suffer eternal conscious pain.
There is a spectrum of opinions on other issues such as abortion, assisted suicide and homosexuality
The percentage of those who read or listen to the Bible everyday goes up markedly after the age of 44 (of whom only 38% read or listen to the Bible everyday)

Here is the full survey

An inconvenient truth

Summary of blog posts - February

2011-02-28T15:08:00.000+11:00

Here is a summary from my blog of the posts for February. The main theme is ten things we can learn which is based on the latest draft of my book, “Turning the World Upside Down – lessons from the Primitive Methodist movement.”

Ten things we can learn from the Primitive Methodists

Always hope

How do you train lay leaders?

Equipping an army

Having a high view of the Bible

Keeping on track

Persecution is part of the package

Ten things we can learn from the Primitive Methodists

2011-02-17T14:05:00.000+11:00

1. Pray passionately

2. Preach and proclaim eternal realities

3. Confront the reality of sin

4. Know how to preach to cause life change

5. Expect persecution

6. Raise an army of lay leaders

7. Train apprentices and equip lay leaders

8. Hold a high view of the Bible

9. Guard against false doctrine

10. Always hope

Always hope

2011-02-16T11:42:00.000+11:00

God’s Spirit abhors a vacuum.

In 1800 the spiritual needs of the working classes were being largely ignored. In his divine providence, God raised a movement that transformed the lives of ordinary men and women. Today we have a different problem. In the Western world there is a missing generation of young people who are noticeably absent from our conventional churches.

Research consistently shows that there is a crisis of enormous proportions facing the church as the rate of decline increases. These lost young people represent the harvest field for another great move of God.

The Primitive Methodist story shows us that there is always hope, no matter how difficult the need.

How do you train lay leaders?

2011-02-15T10:42:00.000+11:00

How did the Primitive Methodists train lay leaders?

Training for local preachers was apprenticeship training. Some of their most effective preachers were teenagers, both men and women. The first female travelling preacher or missionary was Sarah Kirkland, just 21 years old. Plough boys as young as 15 became effective evangelists.

Hugh Bourne was highly skilled at talent spotting and the movement excelled in training young men and women as lay preachers. They learned how to pray earnestly and preach powerfully.

Lay leaders do not need formal theological training as a pre-requisite for active ministry. Formal training can be valuable, but the old adage remains true:

"train the called, rather than call the trained"

Formal training in and of itself is not a precondition for ministry. Jesus' own disciples prove the point.

1. Jesus, apprentices and Primitive Methodists

2. Equipping an army

3. Raising an army

4. We need heroes not celebrities

5. Hugh Bourne and the lads

Equipping an army

2011-02-10T13:04:00.000+11:00

The danger for any movement is to concentrate power and control in the hands of a few paid professionals or the clergy. The professionals become a bottleneck in the system, as they become overworked and perhaps unintentionally disenfranchise lay people. Lay people always outnumber the paid staff in any church or Christian movement and one of the keys to growth is the rapid mobilisation of lay leaders.

When Hugh Bourne died in 1852 there were over 9,000 local preachers, 6,000 class leaders and 22,000 Sunday School teachers. In other words the pioneers not only founded churches but raised an army of leaders. Any movement of God that wishes to expand rapidly must mobilise its lay leaders.

The role of church leaders is to train and equip the people for the work of service and ministry. They need to raise an army, train them and allow them to do frontline battle. The Primitive Methodist movement knew the power of lay people in action.

The Apostle Paul teaches that

“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Eph 4:11-13)

Rapid expansion needs an army of lay people who are trained and equipped for the work of ministry and service.

Having a high view of the Bible

2011-02-09T12:41:00.000+11:00

The Primitive Methodist pioneers had a high view of the Bible as being inspired, or “God-breathed”, although written by human authors.

Paul writes that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

It is not just a human book, but a divinely inspired book that ultimately reveals Jesus Christ as fully divine and fully human, the One who saves us from our sin, by his death as a substitute on our behalf.

When human reason becomes the ultimate reference point, then great portions of the New Testament can be ignored. The danger, of course is that we choose to believe the parts of God’s Word that we like and discard those part that we find uncomfortable. This applies of course just as much to those of a conservative theological position as it does to those coming from a liberal position.

Do you hold a high view of the Bible? Why or why not?

Keeping on track

2011-02-08T11:36:00.000+11:00

It was said of the early Primitive Methodists that “The preachers were men possessed of common sense, of sound theological views, and of ardent zeal for the conversion of sinners; but they were not distinguished by learning and eloquence.”

Sound doctrine and sound teaching is important. False teaching and heresy matter. Liberal Theology is alive and well today, and undermines the authority of the Bible. Sadly the failure of the Primitive Methodist movement to properly deal with the heresy of the liberal social gospel subverted the theological basis of the movement well into the 20th century.

The apostle Paul writes to Timothy and Titus regarding the importance of ensuring sound doctrine in their local churches. Timothy was responsible for overseeing the church in Ephesus and Titus for the church in Crete. He instructs Timothy to “watch your life and doctrine closely.” (1 Timothy 4:16). To Titus he writes “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.” (Titus 2:1)

Leaders in local churches, such as pastors, elders and deacons have a responsibility to ensure sound teaching is taught and that false teaching is opposed. Truth is a vital foundation of any church.

One of the general trends today in the church population is that of increasing biblical illiteracy. As believers read their Bibles less than ever before this makes a local church susceptible to false teaching.

I suggest that we heed the advice of Hugh Bourne to read a chapter of the Bible every day. It is sound instruction for our contemporary believers.

Persecution is part of the package

2011-02-02T13:04:00.000+11:00

One characteristic of Christian movements throughout history seems to be that of persecution. As a general rule of thumb persecution is used by God to shape and deepen a movement. Earlier this week a group of us met to pray and as part of that we read the dramatic story in Acts 12 where Peter was imprisoned by Herod. James, the brother of John had been executed previously and Herod, thinking he was on to a good thing was preparing to put Peter on trial for his life. Earlier, Stephen had been stoned, which initiated a great persecution resulting in believers being scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.(Acts 8:1b)

It also appears that God will limit persecution when it is contrary to his divine purpose. Hence the miraculous escape of Peter from prison. As it was for the church in the New Testament, so it was for the Primitive Methodist pioneers. Their preachers faced the anger and violence of unruly mobs and injustice from magistrates. In 1818 John Wedgwood was the first in a long line of preachers to be sent to jail. Many a Primitive Methodist faced jeers and insults, not least of which was to be called a Ranter. Their motto, printed on their membership tickets was taken from Acts 28:22 - "we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect".

It may well be the experience of contemporary Christian movements to experience some form of persecution, as our Western society moves from a post-Christian outlook and becomes increasingly anti-Christian.

Summary of posts for January

2011-01-31T11:57:00.000+11:00

Here is a summary from my blog of the posts for January. The main theme is the gospel illustrated from images used in the promotion of commercial products. Do you have any examples to add to this collection?

Work on my book on the Primitive Methodist movement continues. Each chapter title begins with the letter M. I am currently working on chapter 15, Movements that Change the World, where I compare the Primitive Methodist Movement with the characteristics identified by Steve Addison in his book of the same name.

You cannot be serious! - Jesus adhesive bandages

Eternity - for men

Heaven - three steps to ...

Truth - is found in Jesus, not Calvin Klein

Washing away sin - requires far more than Nestle tea

Happy New Year for 2011 - a round up of posts from 2010

Quotation from John Wesley - How to shake the gates of hell

Commercial gospel?

2011-01-25T11:33:00.000+11:00

Here is the complete set of images from the gospel according to commerce. I leave you to make your own assessment.

Jesus

Eternity for men

Heaven

Truth

Wash away your sins

Washing away sin

2011-01-21T14:10:00.000+11:00

This is the last post from the world of commerce illustrating the gospel, Jesus, eternity, heaven, and truth.

Our response to Jesus, is to take the steps to heaven, to repent, confess and believe.

And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’ (Acts 22:16)

This is the last of five posts using product images to illustrate the gospel. Do you have more examples?

Truth

2011-01-20T14:00:00.000+11:00

Following my previous posts on Jesus, eternity and heaven, from the commercial world, today we are reminded there is only one way to heaven. Jesus came as the one who claimed to be the

Jesus, not Calvin Klein said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

Tomorrow, how to deal with our sins.

Heaven

2011-01-19T13:44:00.000+11:00

Following the previous post on eternity, Jesus shows us the way to ...

...

There are 3 steps to heaven - repent, confess, believe

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)

... if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

For a very helpful message on the subject of heaven, click here.

Tomorrow ... truth

Eternity

2011-01-18T13:36:00.000+11:00

Following on from yesterdays post here is the next installment of the gospel illustrated from the world of commerce.

He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

There is within each of us a God shaped hole, a longing for eternity.

Tomorrow, the steps to get to heaven.

You cannot be serious!

2011-01-17T13:15:00.000+11:00

Three of our grandchildren came to stay last weekend. Here is what they brought with them ...

.....

Yes, these are band aids. I know it's crass commercialism, but it set me thinking about telling the gospel from some product promotions I have observed.

Tomorrow ... I focus on on the idea of eternity.

Happy New Year for 2011

2011-01-05T12:36:00.000+11:00

May I wish you a truly happy and blessed New Year?

As we begin 2011 with it's challenges and opportunities, here is a selection of posts from my blog in 2010.

What if the church met in a pub? Just suppose the church met in a pub. What name would you call it? The name would have to be quintessentially English. Here are six suggestions. You may like to add more.

How the Primitive Methodists sent a missionary to Australia and New Zealand

Methodist church 'prepared to go out of existence' Is the Methodist church in England coming to the end of the line?

On getting to heaven ... a children's story

Reflections from a lighthouse - how a powerful can one individual life be?

Simple Gospel or Social Gospel? Liberal theology is alive and well today.

The story of Willie Wilkinson, the Duke of Cleveland and the Agent ... or the butler is more fierce than the king

Practicing a shout Church planters in the Western suburbs of Melbourne put a Primitive Methodist shout into action.

Paris Hilton and Primitive Methodism What is the connection between Paris and Primitive Methodism?

We need heroes not celebrities A reflection on our obsession with celebrity culture.

Drifting is easy - Drift can be spelt A.B.C.D. Here are four possible causes of spiritual drift.

Six trends emerging in 2010 The Barna research report for 2010 makes challenging reading for church leaders. The report identifies six crucial themes.

By the rivers of Babylon - a reflection on the contribution of Boney M after the death of lead singer, Bobby Farrell.

John Wesley

2011-01-04T10:04:00.000+11:00

December 14th, 2010 by Bob Logan

As many of you who know me are aware, one of my personal heroes is John Wesley. I love it that not only did he lead evangelistic meetings that brought thousands to Christ, but that he also created a follow-up system for the post-conversion period. In doing so, he retained a much larger share of the harvest than had he simply left his converts to their own devices after conversion.

One of the other elements of Wesley’s ministry that I appreciate so much is his reliance on lay people to carry out the important work of the ministry. I recently ran across this quote: “Give me one hundred… who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell.”

When I read that I felt an internal sense of “yes.” That’s what matters—the heart of a person, not the degree or the seminary or the training. The heart for God is what will shake the gates of hell.

This is a post from Bob Logan's Leadership blog. Used by permission and well worth following. Here is the RSS feed

By the Rivers of Babylon, part 2

2010-12-31T10:16:00.000+11:00

Boney M's song Rivers of Babylon is based on the words of Psalm 137. It is a lament based on the experiences of the exiles from Judah being tormented by their Babylonian captors.

The song also refers to Psalm 19 verse 4:

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer

Daniel and his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, were four out of many thousands of exiles deported from the land of Judah. There were three deportations from 605BC to 586BC, when Jerusalem fell as recorded in Jeremiah 52.

For my first post and the video of Rivers of Babylon, click here

By the rivers of Babylon

2010-12-31T08:56:00.000+11:00

Boney M frontman, Bobby Farrell, has died while on tour with the band in Russia. They were famous for Rivers of Bablylon song based on the lament of Psalm 137.

By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.
There on the poplars we hung our harps, for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"
How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a foreign
land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand
forget its skill.

Psalm 137 verses 1-4

Click here to view

THE DIGITAL STORY OF THE NATIVITY

2010-12-24T09:19:00.000+11:00

Click here if you are unable to view this

Six trends emerging in 2010

2010-12-17T12:40:00.000+11:00

The Barna research report for 2010 makes challenging reading for church leaders. The report identifies six themes:

1. The Christian Church is becoming less theologically literate.

What used to be basic, universally-known truths about Christianity are now unknown mysteries to a large and growing share of Americans--especially young adults.

2. Christians are becoming more ingrown and less outreach-oriented.

Despite technological advances that make communications instant and far-reaching, Christians are becoming more spiritually isolated from non-Christians than was true a decade ago.

3. Growing numbers of people are less interested in spiritual principles and more desirous of learning pragmatic solutions for life.

When asked what matters most, teenagers prioritize education, career development, friendships, and travel. Faith is significant to them, but it takes a back seat to life accomplishments and is not necessarily perceived to affect their ability to achieve their dreams.

4. Among Christians, interest in participating in community action is escalating.

Largely driven by the passion and energy of young adults, Christians are more open to and more involved in community service activities than has been true in the recent past.

5. The postmodern insistence on tolerance is winning over the Christian Church.
Our biblical illiteracy and lack of spiritual confidence has caused Americans to avoid making discerning choices for fear of being labeled judgmental. The result is a Church that has become tolerant of a vast array of morally and spiritually dubious behaviors and philosophies.

6. The influence of Christianity on culture and individual lives is largely invisible.
Christianity has arguably added more value to American culture than any other religion, philosophy, ideology or community. Yet, contemporary Americans are hard pressed to identify any specific value added.

Clearly the research is from an American perspective but I strongly suspect that these trends are applicable to our Australian context. Read the full report here

Shadows

2010-12-15T12:56:00.000+11:00

"our days on earth are but a shadow" (Job 8:9)

iBand

2010-12-14T12:36:00.000+11:00

Time honoured advice

2010-12-14T12:23:00.001+11:00

We found this over a doorway in a church in Tasmania.

The Primitive Methodists learned to watch (to understand the challenges of their times) and they certainly knew how to pray.

Mary Margaret tells the story of David and Goliath

2010-12-03T15:36:00.000+11:00

If you enjoyed the story of Jonah, the story of Noah, here is the story of David and Goliath

Mary Margaret tells the story of Noah

2010-12-02T14:44:00.000+11:00

If you enjoyed the story of Jonah, here is the story of Noah

How do we keep our spiritual fervour?

2010-12-01T14:30:00.000+11:00

The early Primitive Methodists were zealous and passionate about their faith. Where did their spiritual fervour come from?

The answer is quite simple. It came in part from powerful prayer meetings that in turn ignited powerful preachers, who were bold and effective. These prayer meetings fanned into flame the zealous faith of new converts and in these prayer meetings new converts caught the DNA of the movement. That is where their passion came from. Dynamic prayer became the fuel for the expansion of the movement.

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour” (Romans 12:11)

See also Practicing a Shout, Dynamic Prayer Meetings Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

Drifting is easy

2010-11-30T14:00:00.000+11:00

Drift can be spelt A.B.C.D. Here are four possible causes of spiritual drift.

A – Apathy

It’s so easy to become casual and go with the flow and let the daily discipline of time with God fall by the wayside. So we say to ourselves “I can’t be bothered today”.

B – Busyness

There is so much in life that just has to be done. We have to work and earn our daily bread. Children need to be got ready for school, and our family and friends need time. In the rough and tumble of everyday life, especially when we are under time pressure, one of the first things to go is voluntary time set aside to listen to God or read the Bible.

C – Comfort

God wants us to be comforted, that is to experience divine comfort, but he does not want us to be comfortable. The old saying remains true today “that the role of pastoral leaders is to comfort the afflicted … and to afflict the comfortable”. For some of us the challenge is to move out of the comfort zone.

D – Distraction

The world is full of things to grab our attention. In fact the media is designed to do just that. So T.V., Facebook, Twitter, and the like all compete for our time. It’s not that there’s anything inherently wrong in these things, but they can steal our time.

The Primitive Methodists were zealous and passionate in their faith. They maintained their spiritual fervour in part through dynamic times of prayer and praise to God. We have much to learn from them.

The story of Jonah - priceless

2010-11-19T09:47:00.000+11:00

The story of Jonah from Corinth Baptist Church on Vimeo.

The Hallelujah Chorus

2010-11-12T18:21:00.000+11:00

The Hallelujah chorus in Macy's store in Philadelphia. Brilliant. Hallelujah. Amen

Here is the youtube link

A short story about life

2010-11-05T16:42:00.000+11:00

Where are the most extreme abortion laws in the Western world? Where can the horrific Partial Birth Abortion procedure be practised? Where can unborn babies be aborted up to full term? Answer: right here in Victoria.

In the video, Melissa Ohden, a survivor of a failed abortion compares the situation in the U.S. with that here in Victoria. There is a significant gap between the practices in the U.S. and here. We are far worse.

In 2008 the Brumby government passed the Abortion Law reform act. This includes the following

1. Abortion up to birth is allowed
2. Partial Birth Abortion is allowed
(this is partially delivering a live baby using forceps by its feet, then killing the baby before it is fully delivered)
3. A Doctor’s freedom of conscience is denied
4. No independent counselling is provided

This happening here, now. Be aware. Be informed. Know what your candidate thinks about this issue for the state election.

Asking very interesting questions

2010-10-19T15:05:00.000+11:00

For some years now astronomers, physicists and cosmologists have been asking big questions about the origin of the universe and life on earth. Rather than simply asking how things came to be they are asking why things are the way they are. The why questions cause them to ask God questions.

Here are two books that are well worth reading.

1. The Goldilocks Enigma: Why Is the Universe Just Right for Life?

By Paul Davies, a physicist and cosmologist.

If any of the basic features of the universe, from the properties of atoms to the distribution of the galaxies, were different, life would probably be impossible.? (page 2)

"... a bio-friendly universe looks like a fix - or a 'put-up job', to use the pithy description of the late British cosmologist Fred Hoyle. It appeared to Hoyle as if a super-intellect had been 'monkeying' with the laws of physics ... On the face of it, the universe does look as if it has been designed by an intelligent creator expressly for the purpose of spawing sentient beings" (page 3)

Here is the Amazon link

2. Just Six Numbers

By Martin Rees (Royal Society Research Professor at Cambridge University)

Sir Martin Rees delves into the numbers behind the forces that govern the universe, explaining how delicately balanced they are. He identifies six numbers.

"These six numbers constitute a 'recipe' for a universe. Moreover, the outcome is sensitive to their values: if any one of them were to be 'untuned' there would be no stars and no life.Is this tuning just a brute fact, a coincidence? Or is it the providence of a benign Creator?" (page 4)

Here is the Amazon link

Rescued!

2010-10-18T14:43:00.000+11:00

Photo: AFP

The rescue of the 33 miners after 69 days underground from the San Jose mine in Chile provides a real-life metaphor for what Christ has done for us:

For he (Christ) has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14)

Here is another mine disaster where the human outcome was different, but the faith of the trapped men and boys sustained them - the Seaham Colliery disaster of September 1880

Praying through the storm

2010-10-12T10:47:00.000+11:00

When her friend, fellow preacher and future husband, Thomas Russell was in prison for preaching the gospel, Elizabeth Smith a Primitive Methodist pioneer evangelist prayed this prayer:

Thanks be to God, the storm which distresses us helps us towards the shore;
Though there are changes, it is but one journey, and we soon shall be at the end.
Though there are many conflicts it is but one battle;
And we shall soon shout VICTORY! through the blood of the Son of God!

Quoted in The Life and Labours of Elizabeth Russell, from The Writings of Thomas Russell, page 198 Tentmaker publications.

Stand up against Victoria's extreme abortion laws

2010-10-11T09:11:00.000+11:00

For those who would like to do something more to protest against Victoria's terrible abortion laws, allowing abortion on demand up to full term, here are some useful websites:

http://www.marchforthebabies.org.au/
http://www.lifevote.org.au/
www.40daysforlife.com/melbourne

Please help to make sure this issue is on the main agenda for the Victorian state election in November.

We need heroes not celebrities

2010-10-06T15:20:00.000+11:00

I have many heroes. Among them are Winston Churchill, the leader of Britain during WWII, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, and William Wilberforce, who fought against slavery. Others are less well known, but they are my heroes of the Primitive Methodist movement. They are people such as:

Hugh Bourne – the chief founder of the movement

William Clowes – the “apostle Paul” of the movement, who was their lead missionary and evangelist

Thomas Russell – a courageous preacher who overcame persecution, adversity and personal tradegy

Sarah Kirkland – the first female “travelling preacher”, an effective evangelist who was instrumental in the Nottingham revival of 1816-17

John Benton – a highly passionate evangelist who could hardly construct a grammatically correct sentence

It seems to me that we don't need more celebrities in our modern day culture, we need more heroes like these men and women of faith.

Thomas Russell (1806 – 1889)

2010-10-05T15:05:00.000+11:00

Thomas Russell was an evangelist and missionary of the Primitive Methodist movement in England and Ireland. He was born in Middlewich in Cheshire, and first came into contact with the Primitive Methodists in 1817. He became a full time travelling preacher (or missionary evangelist) in 1829. He endured persecution, hardship and personal tragedy with courage, perseverance and fortitude.

In 1830 he was falsely accused and unjustly imprisoned for preaching and sentenced to hard labour for three months, in default of payment for a £10 fine. For ten hours each day he and other prisoners had to endure rigours of being forced to push a large mill wheel to manually grind corn in half hour stints. For thirty minutes they were covered in sweat and every bone in their body ached. Then for the next half hour the prisoners pulled old ropes to pieces with their fingers and thumbs. And so the cycle repeated, half an hour on, half an hour off.

In prison he was hungry. In his journal he writes “hunger pinched severely, so that I often wondered why a human being could not eat the ground to pacify the cravings of hunger”. Soon he became ill, and was unable to stand at the mill wheel. The prison doctor was called, who simply exclaimed “Here he came to be punished, and here he must be punished.” So Thomas Russell was ordered to the wheel again, and he wrote that “I found that the scripture was true, ‘The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel’.” It was rough justice.

Thomas Russell was instrumental in the missions to Berkshire and Hampshire in 1830. He was passionate in prayer, and a powerful preacher whose hearers were often moved to tears. He preached courageously, facing stones, other missiles, and vehement opposition. The mission was highly successful and soon spread to neighbouring counties.

He was engaged to and married Elizabeth Smith, a female preacher in 1831, and they had a baby, Julia who died in 1835. Four months later his wife died, at the early age of 30. Nearly 2000 people attended her funeral. He writes “Thus I was deprived of a child and wife in a few short weeks … But in a few days I returned to my labours, though with nearly a broken heart”. As he processed his grief he continued in effective evangelism in the Staffordshire Potteries.

In 1838 after three years as a widower, he married Elizabeth Duke, a Primitive Methodist convert from the Weymouth mission. By July 1847, he was stationed at Guernsey in the Channel Islands when his second wife died leaving him with four children, the youngest of whom was very ill. He writes “Her mother had made a most triumphant end; yet I dreaded the loss of the child”. He found practical sympathy and support from friends in the islands of Jersey, Alderney and Guernsey.

In 1849 a cholera epidemic swept across England, and people died of this dread disease within days or even hours of the onset of symptoms. In one instance after preaching in Hartlepool market place, a woman was converted through Thomas Russell’s preaching, and died just twelve hours later. The epidemic was a significant factor for the increase in conversions across the country. Thomas Rusell and his fellow missionaries visited the sick and dying at great personal risk.

In 1855 he was sent to Portadown in Ireland. It was the last place on earth he wanted to go and his four daughters cried bitterly when they heard of the posting. They moved as a family to live in Ireland and, in spite of initial misgivings, he had a vibrant ministry there. Seven years later he was posted to the Yorkshire dales, but in the meantime his daughters had married in Ireland. He recalls that “though I went to Ireland with reluctance, I left it with regret”. He ministered in the Yorkshire dales for three years until 1865 when he transferred to St. Albans.

During his life the Primitive Methodist movement grew from a small revivalist group based in the English midlands, to a worldwide movement that had a significant impact on the lives of working class people and their communities. Thomas Russell was one of a second generation of preachers who continued what had been started by the pioneers, Hugh Bourne and William Clowes. Thomas Russell died in 1886, and is buried at Englesea Brook in Cheshire. We need men and women of faith, courage and perseverance like him today.

Quotations from The Writings of Thomas Russell, originally published in 1869 and republished by Tentmaker publications 2005.

More Evidence of Biblical Illiteracy

2010-09-30T09:38:00.000+10:00

A new survey finds atheists know more about religion and the Bible than evangelicals.

Find out more here

Paris Hilton and Primitive Methodism

2010-09-28T14:33:00.000+10:00

It is said that Paris Hilton is famous … for being famous. She is a celebrity because she is a celebrity. Her main claim to fame is that she is, well, ... famous.

More generally it seems that today in our culture we honour those who are prominent in the media, such as actors, or musicians. We honour and revere our celebrities.

It seems to me that what we need today are not more celebrities … we need heroes. We need men and women whose example inspires us and motivates us to do what they did.

In Hebrews chapter 11, the famous chapter on faith, we read not about celebrities, but about heroes of faith. We read of people like Abraham, who obeyed God even though he did not know where he was going.“I’ll know it when I see it” was his motto as God led him to the promised land.

One of my heroes is William Clowes, a pioneer and founder of the Primitive Methodist movement. In his young adult years he led a life of violence, often fuelled by alcohol. He led a decadent lifestyle and was known for his drunkenness, swearing and fighting. After a prank gone wrong he was forced to leave Hull in the northeast of England in 1805.

Shortly afterwards he had a radical conversion to Jesus Christ, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and became a leading Primitive Methodist preacher. The man of violence became an apostle of Jesus Christ. In January 1819, he returned to Hull, in radically different circumstances.This time he came as a preacher of the gospel.

William Clowes preached in the open air, in the market place, in farmers’ fields, barns, sheds, factories or any other convenient location. Within seven years from his return to Hull, he was instrumental in making 12,000 converts and members of the Primitive Methodist movement.

He died in 1851 and a chapel in Hull was named the Clowes Memorial chapel in his honour. His memorial states "that he was a burning and shining light".

He is a hero of the faith. We need men and women like him today.

March for the Babies

2010-09-27T11:00:00.001+10:00

Date: Saturday October 9, 2010
Time: 2:00pm
Location: Treasury Gardens

For more details see the website www.marchforthebabies.org.au

More Chinglish

2010-09-23T16:46:00.000+10:00

We found this notice on our tour of the Great Wall of China.

What I am reading

2010-09-21T16:40:00.000+10:00

I have just begun reading the works of Thomas Russell, 1806-1889, a Primitive Methodist preacher. He was a man of faith, prayer and vision, who faced persecution and hardship with courage and perseverance.

He was falsely accused, arrested, and sentenced to three months hard labour, because of outdoor preaching. His imprisonment became part of the battle for religious freedom in England. He was instrumental in the mission to Berkshire and Hampshire.

We need men like him today.

The true colour of the Greens

2010-09-20T16:29:00.000+10:00

It looks as though we are beginning to see the Greens in their true colours. The Age reports that Greens leader Bob Brown pledged his first priority would be a bill to restore the Northern Territory and ACT's power to pass euthanasia laws.

Euthanasia has profound implications for those in the medical profession, and violates the hypocratic oath.

"I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan"

Euthanasia opens a dangerous Pandora's Box. The public debate over this issue is being re-ignited, and Christians need to be at the forefront of the debate.

A bit of light relief

2010-09-09T10:31:00.000+10:00

These were the instructions for our self guided tour of the Great Wall of China.

Enjoy!

Proclaiming the Good News of Jesus

2010-09-08T15:26:00.000+10:00

The fifth and last parallel between the church in Acts and the Primitive Methodist movement is proclamation.

As Paul and his mission team journeyed across the regions around the Mediterranean they proclaimed the message of Jesus as Messiah, that he had to suffer and rise from the dead. (Acts 17:3). They proclaimed the gospel in towns and cities like the Roman colony of Philippi, and the Greek cities of Athens and Corinth, to Jew and Gentile alike.

Many became believers, although they stirred up opposition from Jewish groups, violent mobs or tradesmen whose livelihoods were threatened (as in Ephesus, Acts 19:24). They formed churches in many of these places.

The missionary pioneers of the Primitive Methodist movement journeyed from town to town, and village to village. In a ten year span from 1810 to 1820 they “missioned” towns and villages following the course of the River Trent, in the English Midlands from Stoke-on-Trent and going east via Notttingham towards the port city of Hull. In each place they formed chapels.

Their greatest apostle and evangelist, William Clowes, entered the city of Hull in January 1819. The proclamation of the gospel transformed that city. By 1881 there were fourteen chapels with a total capacity of over 12,000.

In a little over 30 years they established chapels across the length and breadth of England. In short they had made an impact on a nation. By the beginning of the 20th century they had formed schools, orphanages, helped found the Trade Union movement and had ten elected MPs.

Can the proclamation of the gospel change our nation, the nation of Australia? I believe it can.

See also Five Characteristics of a Church Planting movement

Persecution

2010-09-07T15:16:00.000+10:00

The fourth parallel between the church in Acts and the Primitive Methodist movement is persecution.

After the stoning of Stephen, a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the surrounding regions. (Acts 8:1). Paul and his companions met with persecution in Antioch (Acts 13:50), Iconium (Acts 14:5), Lystra (Acts 14:19), strong opposition from Jewish groups and violent mobs in Philippi (Acts 16:22), and in Thessalonica (Acts 17:5), and there was a great riot in Ephesus on account of their message (Acts 19:23).

The early Primitive Methodist pioneer preachers faced two particular forms of persecution – the mob and the magistrate. Violent mobs of angry men and women pelted their preachers with stones, rotten eggs and vegetables, mud, excrement, as well as verbally and physically assaulting them. Some preachers were lucky to escape with their lives. Verbal assault apart from the usual cursing and swearing also included calling them “Ranters”, a term of derision and offence.

Many a preacher found himself in court or in prison as the result of trumped up charges, such as obstructing the highway, or intention to cause a riot. It was not infrequently that they picked up “the Go to Jail” card.

It is the experience of many preachers of powerful Christian movements to go to jail. Examples include Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Nazi Germany and Martin Luther King in Birmingham jail. It often seems to be part of God’s plan. As our western society moves from being post-Christian to being increasingly anti-Christian, it may be the lot of modern-day preachers to be sent to prison for preaching the Gospel, as well.

See also Five Characteristics of a Church Planting movement

Praise

2010-09-03T15:12:00.000+10:00

The third parallel between the New Testament church and the Primitive Methodist movement, is praise, particularly through music.

The New Testament believers praised God in song, as well as in prayer, and other forms of worship. When Paul and Silas were thrown into prison at Philippi, they prayed and sang hymns at midnight. Paul wrote to the Corinthians advising “When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation” (1 Cor 14:26).

The Primitive Methodist movement likewise was characterised by song. They used music and song effectively, especially in the open-air. It was standard practice for an open-air preacher and his supporters to approach a market-place, singing as they went. Their singing soon attracted a crowd. Their hymn books were some of their most popular publications.

Like William Booth of the Salvation Army, fifty years later, the Primitive Methodists did not see why the devil should have all the best tunes. They put new words to lewd or ribald popular songs of the day, thus making a connection between the surrounding culture and their movement.

How can our modern day church use music and song more effectively?

And now for a bit of light relief

2010-09-03T10:14:00.000+10:00

Just when you think you've seen it all before, here is the pulpit with built in iPad. It's called iPodium.

With thanks to PastorGear.com

Pentecostal power

2010-09-02T15:06:00.000+10:00

The second parallel between the New Testament church and the Primitive Methodist movement, is the power of the Holy Spirit.

On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came in great power. There is some evidence that the Primitive Methodists were Pentecostals, a hundred years before the Azusa Street revival in 1905. They were a movement of the Holy Spirit where the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit were taught and experienced. Both of the founders of the movement, Hugh Bourne and William Clowes, experienced personally powerful experiences of being filled with the Spirit.

There were times when there was an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believers. Hugh Bourne recalls one particular service held at Tunstall on Sunday September 24th, 1820. There was such an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the whole congregation that it resulted in a “revival of the work of the Lord.” The next evening he preached and many were converted to Christ.

Towards the end of his life, Hugh Bourne regularly preached on ‘the Pentecost’.

The books of Acts has been called “the Acts of the Holy Spirit”. It seems obvious that a movement of God is inspired, directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. As it was for the New Testament church, and for the Primitive Methodist movement, so it is for a contemporary movement of God – it must be a movement empowered by the Spirit of God.

The Primitive Methodist Movement Blog

Read Chapter 13 of Turning the World Upside Down

Read Chapter 12 of Turning the World Upside Down

A child is born

Good News of Great Joy

The Christmas Story

Read Chapter 11 of Turning the World Upside Down

Read Chapter 10 of Turning the World Upside Down

Happy, if with my latest breath …

What a way to go!

Read Chapter 9 of Turning the World Upside Down

Remembering

Read Chapter 8 of Turning the World Upside Down

Read Chapter 7 of Turning the World Upside Down

The book of Acts in 3 minutes

Broken

Related links

Read Chapter 6 of Turning the World Upside Down

Summary of posts for August / September

Read Chapter 5 of Turning the World Upside Down

Four obstacles to transformation (4)

Four obstacles to transformation (3)

Four obstacles to transformation (2)

Four obstacles to transformation

Read Chapter 4 of Turning the World Upside Down

Read Chapter 3 of Turning the World Upside Down

Read Chapter Two

Preview "Turning the world upside down"

Summary of posts

Well done Cadel!

Man finds hidden treasure

Largest ever hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold found in Staffordshire

Huge Anglo-Saxon gold hoard found

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Men versus women

How to view my blog on your iPhone

1. Install the Pulse News for iPhone app

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Further links

Summary of posts

Multiplication by seeds

Method 2: Multiplication by offshoots (seedlings)

Multiplication by budding

How does your garden grow?

Method 1: Multiplication by budding

Shout-O-Meter

It is more blessed to give than to receive

Jubilee Church celebrations

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On this day …

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Secrets of success

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A hell of a storm

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Always hope

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How do you train lay leaders?

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Commercial gospel?

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Truth