Ephesians 6:10-18 Click here to listen to today’s devotional Beginning in the 1700s, early Methodists carried small paper “class tickets.” These tickets weren’t proof that someone was saved, nor were they certificates declaring, “Congratulations! You’re holy now.” They connected people to the larger Methodist societies. The ticket showed that you belonged to a small community of people trying to follow Jesus together. Methodists met regularly to pray, encourage one another, care for each other, and ask how their faith was actually showing up in everyday life. We often make faith very personal. We ask, “Do I believe?” or “Did I go to church?” But John Wesley and the early Methodists asked a deeper question: What difference is your faith making in the way you live? Their three General Rules, do no harm, do good, and stay connected to the practices that keep you close to God, guided their responses to that question. Then they gathered with others who would help them live that way. T...
James 3:13-18 Click here to listen to today’s devotional After the English Civil War of the 17th century, some leaders in the Church of England were tired of the endless theological battles. Some of them became known as Latitudinarians. Their name came because they argued for a little more latitude or room to choose in matters that weren't essential. They believed Christians could disagree on many secondary issues while remaining united in faith. They valued reason, moderation, and charity over the constant conflict that had brought about so much turmoil. While I'm still learning more about their movement, I find myself admiring their desire. The church today still spends a lot of energy arguing about issues that, while important, often turn into a desire to win debates rather than love neighbors. The Latitudinarians remind me that a gentle spirit often bears more witness than a loud opinion. But their movement also had weaknesses. In prioritizing reason and tolerance, they s...