Does your church use contemporary worship songs in its services of public worship on Sundays? Does the lion’s share of these worship songs have the same theme—different lyrics but the same theme—the real or imagined salvation experience of the song writer or a generalized salvation experience? Have Sundays become a celebration of personal salvation rather than a time to give thanks and praise to God for all that he has done and is doing, to celebrate all God’s mighty deeds, to expound the great truths of the Bible, to extend Christ’s call to discipleship, to intercede for the Church and the world, to encourage each other, and to reaffirm one’s commitment to Christ? Do the worship songs express feelings or experiences to which the members of the congregation cannot relate? God’s gracious redemption of humanity certainly has a place in Wesleyan theology, but as John Wesley draws to our attention in his sermons, salvation is only the first step. Having saved us, God then sanctifies us, e
John Wesley’s third general rule for the early Methodist societies, which he gave them after observing that a number of their members had become lax, in their pursuit of holy living was: “ It is expected of all who desire to continue in these societies that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation…by attending upon all the ordinances of God; such are the public worship of God; the ministry of the Word, either read or expounded; the Supper of the Lord; family and private prayer; searching the Scriptures; and fasting or abstinence. ” By “ the ordinances of God ” Wesley means the means of grace, the ways that God shows his unmerited favor and goodwill toward us, and by which God quickens (invigorates), strengthens, and confirms faith in him. In his sermon, “ The Means of Grace ,” Wesley explains: “ The chief of these means are prayer, whether in secret or with the great congregation; searching the Scriptures (which implies reading, hearing, and meditating thereon) and