Vital “Vile”-tality

Inspired by the book, Wesleyan Vile-tality by Ashley Boggan, and the new vision statement of the United Methodist Church, this 4-week sermon series invites us to embrace the original Wesleyan spirit of faith. John Wesley, an Anglican priest who would become the founder of the Methodist movement, wrote in a journal entry from April 2, 1739 describing his decision to preach outside of a church as: “I submitted to be more vile.” In other words, Wesleyan vile-tality is a willingness to look beyond today’s acceptable practices and norms and bend the rules in order to ensure that more people can experience the love of God. This journey back to the heart of Methodism challenges us to live fully into today’s new UMC vision statement by loving boldly, serving joyfully and leading courageously with Jesus in the lead!

No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.