I grew up in the Congregational tradition, so I didn't know much of the Wesley Bros. apart from a few hymns. It wasn't until seminary that I began to learn of their prominent place in American religious history. And I remember appreciating John Wesley's energy to ride around the frontier on horseback and preach the gospel.
I have a little sense of how he feels this summer, as I'm in the midst of a 32-city book tour. Well, it's actually more of a glorified book tour. Mark Scandrette, Doug Pagitt, and I dreamed up this crazy scheme a year ago as we were thinking about how to get the word out about our new books. The more we talked, the more the ideas congealed, until now we find ourselves dressing up like 1908 revivalists every night and preaching our hearts out on the Church Basement Roadshow: A Rollin' Gospel Revival (http://churchbasementroadshow.com).
I see that logo from Wesley Seminary -- the one with John Wesley on the horse -- and I wonder what it must have been like for him. Surely his hardships were different from mine, since I'm tooling around the country in a 40' RV (although, I must say, four guys in an RV for hours on end has challenges of its own). But I'll bet some of the questions I have on the road were shared by John: Will anyone come tonight? Am I being faithful enough? How will my marriage handle this?
John was wracked with self-doubt, proclaiming toward the end of his life, "I do not love God. I never did. Therefore I never believed, in the Christian sense of the word. Therefore I am only an honest heathen...And yet, to be so employed of God!" An agnostic, like me, not knowing if we know what we know.
And yet. What important words. And yet.
Regardless of self-doubt, of flagging belief, still employed by God to preach the gospel.
I'm with you there, John.
As part of our Emerging Ministries focus, Wesley Theological Seminary is a sponsor and host of the Church Basement Roadshow, featuring Tony, Doug, and Mark. The Emerging Ministries program allows Master of Divinity and Master of Arts students the opportunity to explore coursework, ministry placements, and mentorships in order to prepare for unique, relevant ways of sharing the Good News with emerging generations. To learn more about the Emerging program and other options at Wesley, call or email us at admissions@wesleyseminary.edu or (202) 885-8659.
Tony Jones is national coordinator of Emergent Village and author of several books on the emerging movement, including The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier. He is currently traveling across America with Doug Pagitt and Mark Scandrette, preaching a renewed gospel of hope through old-fashioned revivals. The Church Basement Roadshow will arrive in Washington, DC at Kay Spiritual Life Center on the American University Campus at 7 p.m. on July 31.