The Connection/Connexion

One of the things I appreciate most about being part of the Methodist family, which includes all the denominations that trace their theological and historical roots back to Wesley, is the connection, or as the British Methodists say, connexion.  In its original sense, this meant the preachers who were connected to John Wesley and authorized by him to preach. Similarly, today it’s about Methodism as a larger connected community.

In the United Methodist Church, whenever one is ordained an elder or a deacon, she or he is received into full connection with the Annual Conference and by extension with the UMC as a whole. This is a relationship that implies mutual support and encouragement and also discipline, linking pastors and churches and Conferences in a sticky web of connection. At the heart of it all is an understanding that Christian community is the Body of Christ composed of many different parts. 

I spent most of this week working on a project at the World Methodist Museum. It may surprise you to hear that such a thing even exists!  In 1881, around 400 delegates representing 30 Methodist bodies gathered in London for an Ecumenical Methodist Conference, and eventually this grew into a Council that is representative of worldwide Methodism. In 1956 the World Methodist Council established a permanent headquarters and a museum at Lake Junaluska in western North Carolina. The museum concentrates on the story of early British and American Methodism through its many artifacts, paintings, Staffordshire pottery, and other Wesleyana but is also a celebration of the ongoing story of worldwide Methodism. I helped update the Susanna Wesley exhibit case to highlight her role as spiritual director, educator, worship leader, and Christian role model. Excitingly, I also worked on integrating the story of the preaching ministry of Mary Bosanquet Fletcher and Sarah Crosby with that of the men involved in field preaching.

As I walked around the museum, looking at at those bits and pieces of our history, I marveled at the determination of ordinary folks like you and me to tell the good news of Christ throughout the centuries. They were animated by the Spirit to share what God had done in their lives so that others could be part of the Body of Christ, part of the connection.

Charles Wesley's hymn "And Are We Yet Alive" came to mind, for we have surely had our share of troubles and conflicts aplenty, but we also boast of a Lord whose power and love can save us all and even perfect us in love, no matter how grim things appear in the present. And that is a heritage and a connection well worth being a part of! Thanks be to God!

And are we yet alive,
and see each other’s face?
Glory and thanks to Jesus give 
for his Almighty grace.

Preserved by power divine
To full salvation here,
Again in Jesus’ praise we join,
And in his sight appear.

What troubles have we seen,
What mighty conflicts past,
Fightings without, and fears within,
Since we assembled last!

Yet out of all the Lord
Hath brought us by his love;
And still he doth his love afford,
And hides our life above.

Then let us make our boast
of his redeeming power,
which saves us to the uttermost,
till we can sin no more.

Let us take up the cross
till we the crown obtain,
and gladly reckon all things loss
so we may Jesus gain.