Overview

Welcome to Emphasizing Christian Formation. This course examines how Methodism’s deep-rooted attention to Christian formation can nurture both gifts and character in our communities. We’ll see how Methodist formation hinges upon the Methodist doctrine of holiness. We’ll consider how innovations in the complementary practices of preaching and fellowship were directed to holiness and fueled the growth of Methodism in 18th-century England. We will also consider how education contributes to our growth as disciples of Christ. Drawing on these lessons allows us to rethink the practices of our own communities. Finally, we will learn that the Methodist way of Christian formation finds its fullest expression in prayer. Throughout four weeks, you will learn the definition of Christian formation— and how to connect this to your church and individual practices and forming diverse communities of faith. In each week of the course, you’ll be asked to reflect on scripture to guide you to take practical steps in how to incorporate theology in your own worship, fellowship, teaching, and mission. If you are a pastor or ministry professional in need of Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits for your professional development, CEU credits are available for this course. Upon successful completion of this course, you can provide your Coursera certificate and the course description to your employer for recognition of earning 0.5 CEUs. Contact [email protected] with any questions regarding CEUs for this course. Each of the 5 courses in the Rediscovering the Heart of Methodism specialization is worth 0.5 CEUs, for a total of 2.5 CEUs for completing all of the courses. This course is part of the Rediscovering the Heart of Methodism series. This is one of five 4-week online courses designed to help engaged laypeople and clergy (including local pastors in licensing schools) develop core capacities for innovative leadership within the Wesleyan tradition. Through this series, we hope you will experience a deeper grounding in the distinctive elements of Methodism at its best, and a renewed capacity for hopeful, imaginative participation in the mission of God.

Syllabus

Emphasizing Christian Formation: Nurturing Character and Gifts

“Christian perfection” is the goal of our formation in Christ, but this doctrine has long been neglected or misunderstood. Far from being an obscure museum piece, the Methodist doctrine of holiness invites us to nurture the character of Christ and cultivate the gifts of the Spirit. To renew the heart of Methodism, we must tend the flame of holiness.

From Preaching to Fellowship: Building Networks of Formation in Early Methodism

If the goal of our formation is Christian perfection, how do we pursue it? This week, we’ll take a closer look at the structures and practices the early Methodist movement developed to nurture both character and gifts. Seeing how preaching and fellowship complemented one another as the movement spread opens a path for evaluating the pathways to Christian formation in our own communities.

Oxford

John Wesley and Methodists through the centuries have maintained that education plays an important role in Christian formation. Indeed, Methodists have founded institutions of higher learning around the world. This week, we’ll explore how education can still help Methodists spread scriptural holiness across the land.

Praying in the Wesleyan Tradition

Methodist prayer is intimately connected with Wesley’s emphasis on scriptural holiness. Wesley understood prayer not only as a means of grace that helps us grow toward perfection, but also as a form of being in perfection. This week, we will discover how the Wesleyan way of prayer touches the very heart of Methodism.