Monday, November 24, 2008

Shall we return to a time when...

I am wondering if it is time to return to a time of the class meeting. There is a bunch of talk of emerging church, etc., but do we really just need a good old fashion re-emergenace? So here is the first part and 5 of the "such as" of the General Rules of the "United Societies" organized by Mr. Wesley. Do we need to update any of the language for our time? Do you think you could survive an accountability class meeting? What do you think? Shall we start them up again?

...



There is only one condition previously required of those who desire admission into these societies, a "desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins." But wherever this is really fixed in the soul, it will be shown by its fruits. It is therefore, expected of all who continue therein that they shall continue to evidence their desire of salvation,


First, by doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practiced, such as:


  • The taking of the Name of God in vain,

  • The profaning [of] the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work therein, or by buying or selling.

  • Drunkenness, or drinking spirituous liquors unless in cases of necessity.

  • Fighting, quarreling, brawling; brother going to law with brother; returning evil for evil, or railing for railing.

  • The use of many words in buying or selling.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

We are talking about small groups in my church. Simply because I believe that everything that you read about building a church these days falls back to Wesley's models of class meetings. I think it is a system that worked then and will work still