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By Michael Bieber*

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I’m a Methodist nerd, how about that? Specifically, I’m a John Wesley nerd. I think that Methodism, at its very core, has incredible things to offer this world. Our way of understanding the Gospel and sharing the love of God is incredibly applicable to the world we find ourselves in.

Alas, so many United Methodists do not know what it means to have inherited this rich heritage.

I’ve begun a new member class at my church and have opened it to current members as well. The whole point is to teach people about what Methodist Christians believe and how we live this out, or at least how we should.

To help spread my Methodistness (Methodisticity? Methodistasticness?), I wrote a newsletter article that went through some of the 16 points John Wesley made about Methodist identity in his address, “The Character of  Methodist.”

So here it is. My understanding of how John Wesley understood what it means to be Methodist.

We are not defined by our opinions. We believe in the authority of Scripture, we believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. But any other opinions, whether religious, social or political – that aren’t at the root of Christianity – are just opinions.

We are not defined by our words. We don’t use super-religious words or phrases. We speak plainly and truly in ordinary conversation and when we speak of God.

We do not engage in any freaky religious actions or customs, or abstain from anything – unless it is said so in Scripture.

We don’t believe in religion that is about ideas that ends with us saying “yes and amen” to a set of doctrines. We believe that we are saved by God through faith alone, but faith means we live in relationship with God, in the depths of our hearts and in the ways we live out our faith.

Methodists are filled with joy. Methodists pray.

Methodists express love for God in the way they respect and serve their fellow human beings. We believe what the Bible says when we read, “Those who claim to love God ought to love their brother and sister also.” (1 John 4:21) We also know and are challenged by the fact that God’s call to love and serve everyone means everyone, even the unmentionables of society and our enemies, because God loves them too.

Methodists seek to live holy lives. We desire to have pure hearts which are filled only with compassion, kindness, mercy and love for God and others. We also desire to have our hearts set on God alone, and to not want for anything of this world, casting aside greed, envy, lust and hate.

Methodists surrender their will. We want to do what God wants us to do instead.

Methodists know that “trees are known by their fruits.” And that the genuineness of our faith is revealed by our words, our actions and our attitudes.

Methodists devote everything they have and everything they are to God.

The ways of this world will not drag a Methodist down. When worldly wisdom says “buy more stuff for yourself,” we give to others. When it says “gossip and speak badly of others,” we only encourage and speak well of people. When the world says “it’s okay to indulge a little bit in fleshly desires,” we reject lust and excess and greed. Methodists focus on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—anything excellent or praiseworthy.” (Philippians 4:8)

Lastly, Methodists do as much good as they can to as many people as they can as often as they can.

So, when you look at this list, how do you fare? Are you a Methodist? I think I can check off maybe one or two; the rest I could work on a bit.

But that’s the point. This is why we are METHODist. We have a method of living lives of love for God and neighbor, devoted and holy lives. The whole point of being Methodist is to grow as a Methodist.

Methodism was never supposed to be a denomination, it was/is meant to be a movement. We are meant to grow in holiness and, together, to move and change things in this world for the glory of God.

That is why I am a Methodist. How about you?

*The Rev. Michael Beiber is pastor of Cheltenham UMC.