John Wesley is the founder of the movement in the Anglican Church
that became the United Methodist Church
Wesley had a series of three questions that those examining the men who felt that they were called to be pastors were required to answer about the applicant. I had to answer these questions about myself to present to the Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPR) as part of the ordained ministry approval process by my local church. I was able to answer the first and third one fairly easily, but the second one gave me fits! I just couldn't make the questions go together. With a little help from "Fulfilling God's Call" and my mentor I think I got it in pretty good shape. I am sure that it will evolve as I go through the mentoring process with Mary Jane, but here's where I am now.
1. Do they know God as pardoning God? Have they the love of God abiding in them? Do they desire nothing but God? Are they Holy in all manner of conversation?
I have experienced true forgiveness and relief from guilt by God. I know the feeling of the weight of sin and guilt being lifted off by God’s hands. The love of God abides in me; I know this because God has enabled me to love those who have harmed me and to forgive them. This work can only have been accomplished by a loving God abiding in me. I desire to grow closer to God and to hear God’s voice in my every thought and action. I strive to speak to others with the same love, compassion, and care that God has for me.
2. Have they gifts, as well as evidence of God’s Grace, for the work? Have they a clear, sound understanding; a right judgement in the things of God; a just conception of salvation by faith? Do they speak justly, readily, clearly?
Examining and looking at the gifts that God has given me is difficult. Not every gift is a great personality trait. But these gifts have made me beloved of God. I’m silly, sarcastic, funny, joyful, happy, and sometimes, insecure. People trust me and open up to me, I am organized and a great planner, I am emphatic and compassionate, and I make people feel loved and cared about. I can see God’s Grace at work in me. I don’t deserve God’s love and forgiveness; but what I think I deserve is nothing compared to what God thinks I deserve. Of course I am saved by faith because that’s all I have to stand on; how could I ever earn something from God? I have to have faith that the gifts God has given me are useful and God has plans to use them in God’s Kingdom.
3. Have they fruit? Have they been truly convinced of sin and converted to God, and are believers edified by their service?
The fruit of the spirit is the work that I do bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. I see evidence of this fruit when I care for and uplift others; when I show them how much God loves them by loving them as God loves me. I see fruit when the people I’ve loved, in turn love, care for, and uplift others. When we truly love our neighbors and we share the love of God with them we give them life; we bring them into the body of Christ.
I am converted to God. I have always known God and have felt God in my life; there has not been a moment, even in my darkest, saddest days that I believed that God wasn’t with me. I know that God has cried with me and celebrated with me. While I am convicted of sin I am thankful that God continues to forgive my sin. I share my story of love and forgiveness with others to help them understanding the nature of our loving and forgiving God. I pray that God gives me the Grace to know when to reach out to others who need to be loved; those that have been hurt by not only people but by churches teaching brokenness and hate.
These are pretty soul searching questions. They have really made me think about myself and my relationship with God. So, good job Rev. Wesley!
In Christ,
Elizabeth
