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The important questions in ecumenical dialogue centre upon issues of authority and order. This book uses the development of ministry in the early Methodist Church to explore the origins of the Methodist Order and identify the nature of authority exercised by John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church. Showing Methodism as having been founded upon Episcopalian principles, but in a manner reinterpreted by its founder, Adrian Burdon charts the journey made by John Wesley and his people towards the ordination of preachers, which became such a major issue amongst the first Methodist Societies. Implications for understanding the nature and practice of authority and order in modern Methodism are explored, with particular reference to the covenant for unity between English Methodists and the Church of England.
List of contents
Contents: Introduction; Prologue: 'I am a Church of England man'; Wesley's initial position: authority of rubric and canon; After Aldersgate: authority of a warm-hearted Evangelist; Wesley's assistants: 'sons of the Gospel'; Wesley's expression of authority: 'I am a scriptural Episcopos'; Ordination of the assistants: is it separation from the Church of England?; Wesley reflects upon his actions: 'prophets and priests' - Ireland 1789; The Liturgy: Prayer Book Ordinal adapted; The text: Wesley's adaptation of the Prayer Book Ordinal; Epilogue: 'Be Church of England men still'; Bibliography; Index.
About the author
Adrian Burdon is a Minister in the Methodist Church, presently working with the Leeds Methodist Mission, West Yorkshire. He is Former Principal of the Methodist Theological College in Tonga, South Pacific (1993-2000), and was a part-time tutor at the Methodist Theological institution in Durham (Wesley Study Centre) from 2001-2003. He is also Convenor of the Methodist Liturgical Committee and Chair of the World Church Scholarship Programme of the Methodist Church in Britain.
Summary
Authority and Order explores the origins of the Methodist order and identifies the nature of authority exercised by John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church. Adrian Burdon charts the journey of John Wesley and his people towards the ordination of preachers, which became such a major issue among the first Methodist Societies. Particular att
