The bell tower on VWC's promotional literature signifies that the college is somehow connected with Christianity. However, aside from the College's name itself, the statue of Wesley, and the pictures in the Shafer Room, what more subtle indications are there that Methodism plays a role at Virginia Wesleyan College?
Four initiatives within recent years reflect Methodist values:
Community Service
Methodists always have emphasized practical Christianity. Christianity in action. As Wesley himself wrote, "the Gospel of Christ knows no religion but social, no holiness but social holiness." From its earliest days, Methodism has established clinics for the poor, helped in work houses, and fought both against slavery and for women's rights. VWC's interest in linking individuals' education with community service is a natural outgrowth of basic Methodist values.
The Center for the Study of Religious Freedom
Methodism is distinctive in acknowledging the importance of other denominations and religious perspectives. Even within the denomination there is great theological diversity. John Wesley noted that "Orthodoxy, or right opinions, is at best but a very slender part of religion." The CSRF reflects a perspective characteristic of few denominations other than Methodism. Interdenominational and ecumenical efforts have been characteristic of the denomination since it inception. The CSRF grows out of such awareness of other traditions and values.
The PORTfolio Project
John Wesley emphasized the link between inward faith and practical outworking of that faith; a liberal, pragmatic approach characterized his understanding of religion. Thus, the Methodists have linked their inner life with the world in a variety of ways: through building colleges and universities, through working in social reform projects in prisons and housing developments, etc. The link between liberal and experiential learning, characteristic of the Portfolio Project, reflects the methodism and discipline which extends back to Wesley himself.
The Center for Sacred Music
Charles and John Wesley's musical legacy is one way in which Methodist did shape both hymnody and Christian worship as a whole. Although the Center grew out of a variety of interests and responds to a variety of constituencies, Charles would be pleased at how the Center trains religious musicians and shapes worship (through music).
Ten Quick Facts about John Wesley
- Born to Samuel (an Anglican priest) and Susanna Wesley in 1703, died in 1791.
- In 1728, John himself was ordained as an Anglican priest. Throughout his entire life, he considered himself to be a member of the Church of England.
- In 1735, he accepted James Oglethorpe's invitation to be a minister in the new colony of Georgia. After two frustrating years, having had little success with either colonists or Native Americans, he returned to England.
- In 1738, he received a spiritual awakening. He then created spiritual "bands" composed of 5-6 persons of the same age and marital status who would share spiritual insights and grow together. In part because pulpits were closed to him, Wesley emphasized itinerant preaching. In encouraging this, he began to recruit lay preacher to help with the cause.
- In 1744, he met with sympathetic clergy in London to talk about broader plans. This is seen as the first annual conference.
- In 1784, the "Methodist Episcopal Church" was founded at a conference in Baltimore, Maryland. In this same year, Wesley ordained his own preachers.
- John Wesley was only 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 128 pounds. He would at times preach while standing on a chair or platform.
- John Wesley preached over 40,000 sermons in his career-about 15 per week!
- John Wesley traveled over 250,000 miles-mostly on horseback.
- John Wesley's brother, Charles, wrote over 6500 hymns, many still sung today: "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing," "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing," "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" just to name a few.