Methodism is a Protestant Christian tradition that grew from the eighteenth-century revival associated with John Wesley, Charles Wesley, and their colleagues in Britain. It began as a renewal movement within the Church of England and later developed into separate churches around the world.
John Wesley and the Methodist movement
John Wesley organized societies, classes, and small groups for prayer, preaching, moral discipline, and care for the poor. Charles Wesley wrote thousands of hymns that helped shape Methodist worship and theology.
Grace
Methodist theology is strongly associated with the work of grace. Wesleyan teaching commonly speaks of prevenient grace, justifying grace, and sanctifying grace. These terms describe God’s initiative before conversion, forgiveness and new life, and continuing growth in holiness.
Faith and holiness
Methodists emphasize salvation by grace through faith while also stressing holy living. Wesley taught that Christian faith should shape personal conduct, care for neighbors, use of money, works of mercy, and participation in Christian community.
Baptism and Communion
Most Methodist churches recognize Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as sacraments. Infant and adult baptism are both practiced. United Methodist teaching describes baptism as a sign and means of God’s grace rather than merely a public symbol.
Communion is widely celebrated, though frequency varies. Many Methodist churches practice an open table, inviting baptized Christians or, in some settings, all who seek Christ, depending on the denomination’s discipline.
Worship and church organization
Methodist worship usually includes scripture, preaching, hymns, prayer, and Communion. Church government is often connectional: local congregations are linked through conferences and supervised by clergy and lay leaders. Some Methodist churches have bishops; others use different structures.
Methodist diversity
The Methodist and wider Wesleyan family includes many denominations. They do not all agree on ordination, sexuality, church discipline, charismatic practice, or social policy. Recent divisions in some countries have made this diversity more visible.
Methodists and other Christians
Methodists share the basic Trinitarian faith of historic Christianity and have long participated in ecumenical dialogue. Wesleyan theology has influenced holiness and Pentecostal movements as well as many churches outside denominations carrying the Methodist name.
Methodism is best understood as a family of churches shaped by Wesleyan teaching on grace, faith, disciplined discipleship, holiness, and practical service.
