Love Boldly

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!

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us.