Though there are no doubt numerous reasons why the Methodist movement has been effective, I am convinced that the impetus behind the movement was a passion for the lost and a willingness to go where they live and share the gospel.
John Wesley called these circuit riders his "helpers" or his "preachers". He had specific rules for them, how they were to live, what they were to carry with them and how they were to spend their time.
Wesley's famous "12 Rules for Preachers" are aimed at this group of workers.
Rule number 11 has always convicted me as a minster:
11. You have nothing to do but to save souls. Therefore spend and be spent in this work. And go always, not only to those that want you, but to those that want you most.
As a local church pastor, I would find myself arguing with John Wesley - "nothing else to do?" I would think... "but what about maintaining the building, and setting the budget, and making sure the grass is mowed, and staffing the nursery?"
Undoubtedly there is "other work to do" than to save souls, and John Wesley knew this. His other writings are filled with advice about a whole host of other areas in life.
But what Wesley knew, and I believe was the power behind Methodism, is that without a passion to pursue the perishing, the movement is dead!
It may not be on horseback today, but we still can utilize the tools given to us in order to pursue the perishing.
In Washington DC, there are dozens of statues of riders on horseback. Many of the riders are generals and even presidents. But among the statues of these military men are the statues of John Wesley and Francis Asbury.
