Preaching became a significant aspect of John Wesley’s ministry and of his Methodist movement. Wesley gradually expanded his preaching horizons, especially due to the influence of George Whitefield. Whitefield was a famous preacher and known for open air preaching. Whitefield was often thought to be the better preacher, yet it was around Wesley that Methodism ultimately formed. Wesley famously preached in the open when he was refused access to the pulpit in Epworth. His father, Samuel Wesley, was buried outside the church, and John Wesley had a right to that piece of land, so he stood on his father’s grave and began to preach. Wesley adopted open air preaching to increase his reach and audience, and eventually Wesley began to train and commission lay preachers to lead Methodist Societies and to be missionaries.
The ability of laity to preach in Methodism is part of what allowed the Methodist Societies to be so independent and self-sustaining even during times with no sacramental ministers. Because of lay preaching, Methodist Societies were able to feel like they could celebrate a full worship service or even plant new missions. Non-Eucharistic worship became the standard worship of Methodism as this continued. This was not the ideal that Wesley had in mind, but the ability of laity to preach and lead worship succeeded in enhancing the reach of the Methodist Movement.
The empowerment of laity to lead prayer, worship, and preach is one that may sound unfamiliar in the Catholic Church outside mission contexts. In the Catholic Church lay catechists lead prayer, non-Eucharistic worship, and preaching, and work closely with the priests carrying out the sacramental and pastoral ministry, in each “mission station” connected to a parish. Laity are not allowed to preach at Mass, but the reason for that is the homily is considered part of the single liturgical act of the Mass. Whereas outside Mass, Sacramentum redemptionis indicates the possibility of lay preaching “in accordance with the norm of law.” It is not uncommon, for example, to see lay preaching in the context of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Their worship services revolve around prayer, but they might begin with a Bible study that is structured more like a classroom lecture, which is to say like a sermon, than a small group discussion.
For the Ordinariates, in theory, lay catechists, acolytes and lectors – those in stable lay ministry who might lead Bibles studies and Daily Office prayer – could be good candidates for additional training on preaching and homiletics. In small group settings, these can be opportunities for laity to share their reflections on a particular scripture passage, and in parish settings, qualified laity may be able to have the opportunity to preach at Mattins and Evensong services.The ministry of preaching helps extend the outreach of the Ordinariate both inside the Catholic Church and ecumenically by allowing laity to fully embody the Daily Office, which is the prayer of the baptismal priesthood, in the absence of a priest or deacon. If the Ordinariate shares its Evening Prayer with diocesan parishes or non-Catholic churches, there is the possibility for the lay-leader to preach the sermon or offer a reflection, and not only lead the prayers, in the absence of an officiating priest or deacon. Also formation in lay preaching and officiating the Daily Office can help pastors enhance the ministry of those laity who collaborate with them by volunteering to minister to the sick and homebound, nursing homes, and prisons. These laity, under the supervision of the pastoral leadership, can then offer a full non-Eucharistic worship experience to these settings, thus extending the local church’s ability to reach more men and women for Jesus Christ.
In our own parishes, opening the pulpit for wider preaching gives the Ordinariates the opportunity to possibly hear from religious brothers and sisters, and from Protestant or Orthodox ministers. It also grants an opportunity for growth and discipleship development by allowing the laity to become more and more involved in the spiritual life of the parish. This is another measure that helps retain and grow members – when they are allowed to grow and share their growth. The opportunity to preach in Daily Office settings is a means of spiritual growth and fulfilment of calling for some to testify to the Good News of Jesus Christ.
For training laity to preach, in addition to existing Catholic resources, it might be worthwhile – and certainly an ecumenical gesture – to communicate with the local Methodist Conference about the resources they have. Methodist Districts will offer regular classes training the laity how to preach, and these classes are also likely to be open to anyone interested in attending. Online preaching classes are also offered through the website BeADisciple.com, which focuses on Methodist lay minister courses, but is open to anyone. Ordinariate overtures to these training outlets is likely to open eyes and opportunities for shared fellowship and ecumenical outreach, which may manifest easily in shared preaching opportunities. And it may also prompt Methodists to consider the possibilities of realized ecumenism with the Catholic Church offered by the Ordinariates.
Paul Caleb Roland is an Ordinariate Catholic who writes from Oklahoma.
Related articles by this author:
What Methodist Patrimony Brings to the Ordinariate Mission
Wesley’s Method Part I: Frequent Reception of Communion and the Love Feast
Wesley’s Method Part II: Frequent Prayer and the Daily Office
Wesley’s Method Part III: Form a Bible Study, Go Make Disciples
Wesley’s Method Part IV: Fasting Wednesdays, Fridays & Other Times for Sanctification
Wesley’s Method Part V: Forming Small Groups for Discipleship
Wesley’s Method Part VI: Following Christ by Works of Mercy
Wesley’s Method Part VII: Singing and a Hymnal in Every Home
Wesley’s Method Part VIII: How Field Preaching Equips the Laity to Proclaim Jesus Christ
Wesley’s Method Part IX: Holy Conferencing, Revivals, and their Ordinariate Potential
Wesley’s Method Part X: How Lay Servant Ministry Can Grow the Catholic Church
For further exploration of mentioned Methodist resources:
BeADisciple.com
Called to Preach Course
Create a Course
UMC Discipleship Ministries