What it means to be Methodist and the responsibility of choosing what to read and watch.

Is there anything different about being Methodist from being any other Christian? Liz

Yes! There is Liz, but only if you commit to Methodist principles. All true Christians commit to following the teachings of Jesus Christ. Methodists also follow the teachings of John Wesley. Though born into poverty he became an academic achiever, a crowd-commanding preacher, innovative teacher and problem solver. He wrote books on a variety of topics and left many memorable sayings as to what it means to be Christian.

Rev John Wesley was particularly concerned about justice and caring for the excluded. One of the greatest gifts he left his followers was a formula for making moral decisions that we call The Wesleyan Quadrilateral – ‘Wesley’ because he devised these guidelines and ‘Quadrilateral’ because it has four parts: Scripture, Tradition, Reason and Experience.

Some churches say scripture is the only basis for making moral decisions. Wesley urged Methodists to take a broader approach. He appreciated that interpretations of scripture changed over the years and life situations continually change. Methodists, who would be true to the teachings of Wesley, consider moral decisions not only in the light of scripture but in truths found in traditions along with our own reasoning and experiences.

Methodists do not blindly follow the majority. Methodists think through the implications of their actions, speak up for justice and do all they can to support the marginalised, fully aware that this may displease some authorities. They are bold innovators. The Methodist Church welcomes and trains lay leadership to work alongside clergy. Methodist congregations particularly value singing together, creating caring communities, and take pride in the fact that they trace their roots to not only a pair of brilliant clergymen, John and his musical brother Charles, but to a mother, Susanna Wesley, who greatly influenced their faith and the Methodist movement.

Rejoice in being special, Aunty

Dear Aunty,

Does it matter if we watch bad stuff online or on television? Robbie

Dear Robbie,

That depends on what sort of person you want to be. Fill your mind with trash and you trash yourself. You have choices. If you want to be valued by others you need to value yourself. It’s natural for young people to want to do what their peers are doing. Being exposed to bad stuff is a part of that life that we have to come to terms with. How much bad stuff we chose to watch or participate in is up to us. Saint Augustine had a pithy saying, “Love God and do as you like.” I take this to mean if you truly loved God you would not harm yourself or anyone else. A Bible text I recommend committing to memory is Philippians 4:8, ”Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise think about these things.”

Enjoy life and be responsible, Aunty