Category Archives: John Wesley

Wrath, Judgment, and Love

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Richard Heyduck

John Wesley said that the only requirement to join the Methodist Societies – the movement was not yet a “church” at that time – was a “desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their … Continue reading →

Posted in Assurance, Atonement, Jesus, John Wesley, Love, Salvation, United Methodism | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Being Human

Posted on August 15, 2022 by Richard Heyduck

Sunday’s message was on theological anthropology – the Christian view of what it means to be human. I made two broad claims: Humans are made in God’s image. Being made in the image of God is better understood functionally or … Continue reading →

Posted in Dallas Willard, Discipleship, John Wesley, Salvation, Sin, United Methodism | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Absolute Basics of the Wesleyan Way

Posted on July 28, 2022 by Richard Heyduck

The United Methodist Church is, after years of inner dissension, at the beginning of formally breaking up. In some places (like my own Texas Annual Conference), the monetary cost of disaffiliation is low. At the other extreme conferences like Baltimore … Continue reading →

Posted in Doctrine, Ecclesiology, John Wesley, Theology, Uncategorized, United Methodism | Leave a comment

Wesley’s Sermon on The Catholic Spirit

Posted on July 21, 2022 by Richard Heyduck

I’m working through some of Wesley’s works to help United Methodist churches in the discernment process many are in now. Throughout the document, I provide analysis of what Wesley is saying and questions for consideration. My intention is that these … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Discipline, Doctrine, Ecclesiology, John Wesley, United Methodism | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Thoughts upon John Wesley’s Thoughts Upon Methodism

Posted on July 20, 2022 by Richard Heyduck

At the current season of division and denominational chaos, many churches in the United Methodist Church are entering an official period of discernment. I think getting back to Wesley is a good thing, so I’m going back to some of … Continue reading →

Posted in Doctrine, Ecclesiology, John Wesley, United Methodism | Tagged , | Leave a comment

United Methodist Congregationalism

Posted on February 25, 2020 by Richard Heyduck

It has been said vigorously and often that United Methodist polity is NOT congregationalist. We have congregations, but our polity is connectional. Congregationalism is the claim that churches are independent, self-defined, self-determined, and self-led before they are connected to other … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Current events, Ecclesiology, John Wesley, United Methodism | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Wesley on Preaching Law & Gospel

Posted on November 21, 2015 by Richard Heyduck

One of the books I’m reading is Fool’s Talk by Os Guinness. It’s a good book for those involved in the work of apologetics. I want to be a little picky, however. He says at one point, ‘As John Wesley … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelism, John Wesley, Preaching, Salvation, Theology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Covenant Renewal in the Wesleyan Tradition, 3

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Richard Heyduck

The next part of the covenant goes like this: Leader: Be satisfied that Christ shall give you your place and work. People: Lord, make me what you will. I put myself fully into your hands: Put me to doing, put … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, John Wesley, Spirituality | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Covenant Renewal in the Wesleyan Tradition, 2

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Richard Heyduck

The service begins with an affirmation of God’s temporal ubiquity: Leader: Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. People: From everlasting to everlasting, You are God. This God who calls us into covenant has already been active in … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, John Wesley, Spirituality, United Methodism | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Problem with Names

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Richard Heyduck

We Christians have sorted ourselves out by name, imaging that our names are of supreme importance and essential to our identity. I’m a Methodist. Our tradition got its name because John Wesley and his Christian buddies at Oxford were methodical … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecclesiology, Ecumenism, John Wesley, United Methodism | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment