Wesley and Lay Min-

istry
WAlan P. Swartz
esley’s understanding of salvation and the work of grace should al-
ways be understood as the foundation of how he organized the

Laity Methodist Societies. In reading Wesley, one can see his understand-
ing of the primacy of God’s grace at work in all he does. Let us con-
sider for a moment how Wesley viewed laity in ministry and put
in them to work in early Methodism.
Early Methodists retained their membership in the Church of England.

Min- When you became a part of a society you would also be placed in a class or
band, which were smaller groups within each society that were formed to help
people in their spiritual growth. Putting people into classes and bands was not

istry unique to Wesley. It was a structure he adopted for he had seen evidence of its
effectiveness. The concept fit into his understanding of sin and repentance, as
well as growth in perfect love and sanctification. His was a method built on his
theological foundation, but with anthropological concerns. He talks about what is expected of the Method-
ists. This involved doing no harm and avoiding evil, doing good, and attending the ordinances of God
Church: Eucharist, daily service of the Word, private prayer, scripture reading, and fasting).
There was more to being a Methodist in Wesley’s day than being a member of a society. Members
were divided into classes, smaller groups of people, to aid them in their edification and growth. Beyond
this, bands were formed for those who desired to continue in their quest for Christian perfection. These
bands were organized by age, sex, and marital status into groups of about five to ten members. Designed
for the purpose of fellowship and spiritual oversight, a leader was chosen from among the members of the
band. As the class meeting developed, the separation of the class from the bands became less noticeable.
The class meeting arose out of the difficulty in visiting all the Methodists for various reasons. The
bands sprung from a desire of members to have a “closer union” and more direction in their spiritual de-
velopment. Leaders were chosen (as the name implies—no fancy titles here) to lead the classes and
bands. The Assistants (to the Ministers) tended to many of the functions of worship, etc. in the absence of
the ministers. The Stewards (of temporal matters) handled the finances of the societies and tended to the
needs of the sick. When these responsibilities became too great, special Visitors were chosen to visit the
sick three times each week to inquire into the state of their souls. Wesley specifically compares this office
to the diaconate as it is understood in the New Testament. Finally, Schoolmasters (and mistresses) were
chosen to help in the education of the young. It is interesting that today most of these functions are entrus-
ted to the pastor of the parish without this kind of organized assistance.
How did Wesley understand his role as a supervisor of lay ministers? His supervisory role was obvi-
ously an important expression of his desire to help provide pastoral leadership to so many people. He con-
tinued to be engaged in personal ministry to people (especially evident in his letters). How did Wesley
train his ministers? The answer to this question remains largely unknown.
I believe that much of Wesley’s understanding of assurance, sanctification and perfect love are already
a part of our faith system. How can we faithfully integrate this faith into a plan for ministry in this parish?
I think Wesley’s thought must be translated into modern idiom. True, it will no longer be just Wesley’s
thought and belief—but, he will continue to serve as a major mentor to the theological foundation in what
we do. We are not considering the implementation of Wesley’s structure of the bands and classes in a pro-
gram of lay ministry. It is, however, evident that the classes and bands, as well as the lay positions of
Leaders, Assistants, Stewards, and Visitors indicate Wesley’s use of laity in ministry.
 Called to Serve!
Paul Kiesow recently gave me some material on Total
Quality Management and Leadership along with some
biblical research he did on the subject. Paul was demon-

Laity strating a parallel between Jesus’ understanding of lead-

ership as servanthood and the remarks of some people
in from the business world on the same subject. Jesus cer-
tainly called his disciples to think of their ministry in
Ministry terms of servanthood.
He gave them the example of washing their feet. “So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your
feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I
have done to you.” John 13:14-15 (NRSV) He also instructed them, “whoever wishes to become great
among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.” Mark
10:43-44 (NRSV)
When people are called to ministry they are called to service. There is service to God and service to
our neighbor. We are told that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoso-
ever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (KJV) So are we called to
love the world even as God loves the world. Even so, we do not take our guidance from the world, being
careful not to conform to the world (Romans 8.2).
We tend to have little trouble seeing the Pastor as one called to servant ministry — what we often fail
to realize is that we are all called to servant ministry. By our own baptism, we are called to be servants to
a hurting and sinful world. Can we really trust the government to bring healing where there is broken-
ness? Can we really trust that the “natural goodness” of people will resolve conflict? Surely we must begin
to see that God calls all of us to be his people — to be servants to our community and world.
It is easy to take a consumer’s approach to the church. “What does this church have to offer me?”
“What am I getting out of this worship service?” It is the couch potato syndrome. “What’s in it for me?”
No, we have a service to God. We have a service to his creation. We are all those servants.
33
Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you ar-
guing about on the way?” 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who
was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be
last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his
arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever wel-
comes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” Mark 9:33-37 (NRSV)