The United Methodist Church in America is shrinking. In response to this truth, I researched historical practical divinity practices in America that grew and sustained the church in the past. Many of these practices are still applicable to serve our present age. How do we make converts in the most effective way to usher in the reign of God and represent an incarnational Christ to the world so that the world becomes Christian through social holiness practices and holy beliefs? Some theologians think practice makes perfect while others insist upon holy assurance for salvation. What practical practices work most excellently to serve our present age?
In this dissertation, I identify, examine, compare, and contrast applicable and historically consistent and effective practices employed by these church movements in the nineteenth and twenty-first centuries to gain new converts and produce church growth. The introduction explains my calling to address how to best serve our present age and expresses my interest in John Wesley, Charles Finney, Phoebe Palmer, and Elaine Heath.
In chapters 1 and 2, I begin with Charles Grandison Finney;;s New Measures as well as Phoebe Palmer;;s participation in the Holiness movement in the nineteenth century including theological opposition. Performing historical analysis on Finney;;s and Palmer;;s relative primary sources reveals their theology of call, scriptural emphasis, and social holiness practices. I identify the ;;New Measures;; as promoted by Finney and Palmer as established by Wesley using primary and secondary sources.
In chapters 3 and 4, I examine modern day fresh expressions as well as Elaine Heath;;s missional communities, a movement designed to promote a way of life for new converts and church growth. I include Heath;;s primary sources and her analysis of Phoebe Palmer;;s theology. In addition, I interviewed Heath on her work and how it connects Finney, Palmer, fresh expressions, and missional communities to participate in God;;s reign for our day and time. I attended a Bible Study where she expounded on scripture that illustrates Jesus;; missional ministry. I discussed the opposition to fresh expressions as a means of understanding orthodox theology and accepting innovation as Holy Spirit empowerment.
In chapter 5, my analysis compares and contrasts the new measures of the nineteenth century with the twenty-first century fresh expressions movement. I identify similarities and differences and address their innovation as a means to reveal successful evangelical church growth practices for present church leaders and communities that are sustaining over time for the purpose of making disciples to transform the world. Finally, I present the conclusion and analysis of my findings that successfully usher in the reign of God for practical divinity practices.
At the age of ten, it was during a revival that the tongue of fire touched me and called me to accept Jesus as the only way to salvation, set me on the path of faithful discipleship, and planted within me a fire in my belly to transform the world and usher in the Kingdom of God. During my first appointment as a minister in a small rural church, my conference recognized my gifts for church growth. At their request, the Board of Global Ministries trained me to plant churches. My training and experience as a church planter, church revitalization training, and tenure on District and Conference Boards of Congregational Development have allowed me to participate in church revitalization, church plants, and experience the power of the Holy Spirit blowing at the will of God and growing the Church of Jesus Christ. All of the churches that I have served have consistently produced new converts and grown in discipleship. It is my experience that the historically effective church practices of the nineteenth century revealed by this research produce a healthy Body of Christ on earth that authentically replicates the ministry of Jesus and ushers in the reign of God in America and throughout the world.
In nineteenth century America, Finney;;s New Measures and Palmer;;s altar sanctification relied on Wesley;;s revival methods calling the American Church to radical change and theological overhaul, so that believers could become a people of method and service based in God;;s word. In the present age, fresh expressions and Elaine Heath call the church to a radical overhaul - a return to the model of Christianity as set forth by Christ and the apostles. This incarnational model is the bridge to the past that is Holy Spirit empowered, scripturally rooted, and affirms the call of laity and clergy, for the purpose of participating in social holiness that ushers in the reign of God in this present age. When we, the United Methodist Church, faithfully return to these practices, the Church of Jesus Christ will again grow and thrive so that it can follow Jesus, make disciples, and transform the world.
