The General Rules: A Preliminary Proposal
Statue of John Wesley, outside Wesley's Chapel on City Road, London. (Source: Harry Mithcell WikiCommons)
I love Methodism and the Methodist tradition. My general tendency is toward, in Wesley’s words, “as few innovations as possible.” Like him, I like the old wine the best.
Reading through the General Rules, though, it struck me that some of the statutes are geared toward the historical context of eighteenth-century England, and their relevance to twenty-first century Methodists is not readily apparent. Sometimes the language needs a bit of updating.
What follows is meant as a conversation starter, primarily for the Global Methodist Church as we hammer out the ways we will live as a community of faith in the days ahead. I’ve tried to show where I’ve eliminated material, and words in bold indicate new material. This is not a hard-and-fast proposal. I’m certain I haven’t gotten everything right. I also haven’t included any revision of the section on class meetings because we haven’t worked out what these will look like in the GMC. We would welcome specific proposals on class and band meetings to be published through Firebrand.
In this revision, I’ve tried to stay as close to the spirit of Wesley’s rules as possible. I’ve added a few items, such as a prohibition against pornography, which I think are consistent with Wesley’s intent. For example, his prohibition against spirituous liquor emerged, at least in part, from the fact that gin was causing a massive crisis of alcoholism in England. Likewise in our day, pornography is a widespread, destructive addiction that destroys lives and families. It is probably the most widespread addiction in the world. The addition of this prohibition, then, is meant to contextualize Wesley’s concern.
Some rules, such as the prohibition against excessive interest, are a bit vague, but this is also part of Wesley’s legacy. They require us to use our moral faculties and make informed and sensitive decisions. Too specific of a list will plunge us into legalism. Too vague of a list will be useless. There is, then, a proper balance we must find in the General Rules. I’m not sure I’ve struck that balance, but you can tell me where I’ve missed the mark.
So, what do you think? Is this in the spirit of the General Rules as they were first set out?
A PROPOSAL FOR THE GENERAL RULES OF METHODIST CHURCHES
[Stipulations for class meetings would go here.]
It is therefore expected of all who continue therein that they should 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—in other words, speaking of God and using his name in unholy ways.
The profaning the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work therein or by buying or selling.
Neglecting public worship and rest on the sabbath day.
Drunkenness: buying or selling spirituous liquors, or drinking them, unless in cases of extreme necessity.
Intoxication through alcohol or drugs.
The use, production, or sale of pornography.
Slaveholding; buying or selling slaves
Fostering any kind of exploitative employment or practices involving forced labor.
Fighting, quarreling, brawling, brother going to law with brother; Uncharitable, spiteful, or unproductive argument with brothers and sisters in Christ; returning evil for evil, whether in person, in writing, or on social media; or railing for railing; the using many words in buying or selling.
Engaging in dishonest business practices.
The buying or selling goods that have not paid the duty.
The giving or taking things on usury—i.e., unlawful interest.
The charging of excessively burdensome interest.
Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation; particularly speaking evil of magistrates or of ministers brothers and sisters in Christ.
Doing to others as we would not they should do unto us.
Refusing to do to others as we would have them to do us.
Doing what we know is not for the glory of God, as:
The putting on of gold and costly apparel.
The purchase and wearing of excessively costly apparel.
The taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus.
The singing those songs, or reading those books, which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God.
Wasting our time in ways that do not honor God.
Softness and needless self-indulgence. Needless self-indulgence.
Laying up treasure upon earth.
The hoarding of wealth and neglect of the poor.
Borrowing without a probability of paying, or stealing. ; or taking up goods without a probability of paying for them.
Ridiculing or disadvantaging another person or group on the basis of race, tribe, or gender.
Neglecting one’s natural children, withholding parental love, and neglecting the responsibilities appropriate for a Christian parent.
Abusing one’s spouse, whether emotionally or physically.
Participating in sexual activity outside the bounds stipulated in the Book of Doctrines and Disciplines.
It is expected of all who continue in these societies that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,
Secondly: By doing good; by being in every kind way merciful as they are able after their power; as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all people men:
To their bodies, by providing food and clothing to those in need, and to visit those who are sick and in prison. of the ability which God giveth, by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the naked, by visiting or helping them that are sick or in prison.
To their souls, by instructing one another in the Christian life, holding one another accountable in love, and teaching one another to do good to other people, particularly when we are tempted to be neglectful or even evil. , reproving, or exhorting all we have any intercourse with; trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine that "we are not to do good unless our hearts be free to it."
By doing good, especially to those who are brothers and sisters in Christ, or who wish to be, them that are of the household of faith or groaning so to be; employing them preferably to others; buying from one another; helping each other in business, and so much the more because the world will love its own and them only.
By all possible diligence and frugality, that the gospel be not blamed.
By running with patience the race which is set before them, denying themselves, and taking up their cross daily; submitting to bear the reproach of being willing to bear ridicule for Christ, to be as the filth and offscouring of the world; and looking that others should say all manner of evil of them falsely, for the Lord's sake.
By nurturing Christian marriages that are loving, faithful, and mutually respectful.
By teaching children the Christian faith and raising them up to become Christian adults.
By protecting the unborn.
It is expected of all who desire to continue in these societies that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,
Thirdly: By attending upon all the ordinances of God; such are:
The public worship of God.
The ministry of Scripture the Word, either read, taught, or preached. or expounded.
The Supper of the Lord. Participating in the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion).
Family and private prayer.
Searching the Reading the Scriptures consistently and prayerfully,
Fasting or abstinence.
These are the General Rules of our societies; all of which we are taught of God to observe, even in his written Word, which is the only rule, and the sufficient rule, both of our faith and practice. And all these we know his Spirit writes on truly awakened hearts. If there be those among us who observe them not, who habitually break any of them, let it be known unto them who watch over that soul as they who must give an account. We will admonish them of the error of their ways. We will bear with them for a season. But then, if they repent not, they have no more place among us. We have delivered our own souls. (This section has minor edits for gender inclusivity).
David F. Watson is Lead Editor of Firebrand. He serves as Academic Dean and Professor of New Testament at United Theological Seminary.