United Methodist Laity
Are you a United Methodist Lay Person? I’ve been in the United Methodist Church all my life and have wrestled with role of both pastor and lay person. The biggest success story I have witnessed is when the laity and the clergy understand their roles and work together.
Nearly all the leaders in the early Methodist Church were laity. John Wesley was wise enough to develop a system of small groups where the laity held each other accountable. The intent of these groups was to meet and teach all within them to be accountable to living a Christian life. These groups met in individual homes with a leader and they answered questions with each other such as, “How is it with your soul?” The Class leaders were all appointed by Wesley and the lay women and lay men served as role models and mentors. The Class Leaders shared in the pastoral work that needed to be done when the clergy was not available. They were disciples who made disciples!
The General Rules were simple and intended to help people live out the teachings of Jesus as summarized in Matthew 22: 37-40. ‘“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’” This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” The class members formed habits of doing no harm by avoiding evil and doing good to all people. They learned to attend the ordinances of God like worship, receiving communion, reading the Bible, praying and fasting.
By meeting together every week, they kept watch on each other. They shared their week and felt close enough to one another to watch over each other in love. Wesley insisted on perfect attendance at class meetings. If they missed, they could not take communion the next time during worship. Attendance was required and it was almost like getting your ticket stamped. Wesley knew that laity needed to gather often and hold each other accountable.
Requiring all Methodists to meet weekly in class, and then in a larger society meeting (church) meeting on Sunday, was the primary way Wesley equipped and empowered lay members. The weekly discipline of mutual accountability and encouragement changed people’s lives.
Perhaps in our modern day, we need to return to our roots and have everyone in a class meeting. This would require many to step up and be class leaders. Class leaders would answer to the pastor and share needs. In doing so, the pastor would have a better idea of what was happening in the church. Laity – step up and take responsibility! Let’s all return to our roots and grow the United Methodist Church.
Author: Tommy Herndon