Bold Witness

Laura Harris with Easter Children

Evangelism is the theme for this week’s sermon. So I pulled this out from one of my favorites to reread...

John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Movement, as described by Albert Outler in his book “Evangelism in the Wesleyan Spirit”, 1971, became an effective pastor and one who began to reach persons in his field preaching ONLY AFTER UNDERGOING THIS TRANSFORMATION:

1. When his dominant emotion changed from passion for truth to compassion for people.
2. When his expression as a harsh zealot of God’s judgment changed to a winsome witness of God’s grace.
3. When his faith was assured in and through the newfound faith of those who now heard the gospel.
4. When arrogance transformed into humility.

O Lord, may our voice in the Methodist Movement be one of compassion. May our hope in the resurrection be proclaimed as an evangel’s invitation. May we truly reflect our roots - evangelical, catholic, and reformed. And may our goal be the lives of our neighbors, transformed in your grace.

Your friend 
Along the Way
Pastor Paul Harris
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