Wesley’s Method Part IX: Holy Conferencing, Revivals, and their Ordinariate Potential

Holy Conferencing sounds like a contradiction in terms, but in Methodism, “conferencing” is seen as a potential means of grace because it is the gathering of believers, and Jesus Christ assures us that where believers gather in His name, He is there also. Much of what has been discussed in the previous steps of the Method alludes to conferencing. We are supposed to celebrate Communion together, pray the Daily Office together, study the Bible together, fast together, etc. Conferencing in this case is different from small group gatherings, because conferencing is about larger-scale gatherings, often periodic rather than regular. Due to the hierarchical polity of Catholicism and Anglicanism, we tend to think very vertically when it comes to reaching out and cooperating with the wider Church. Methodism’s polity is “connexionalism,” which is based on the idea of clergy and congregations being connected to one another in a network of support. The Catholic Church and the Ordinariates can benefit from this lateral or horizontal way of thinking about reaching out in the Church.

One example of Holy Conferencing is the “revival.” Our imaginations probably take our idea of a revival to the setting of a hot summer camp revival in the 1930s with a screaming hellfire and brimstone preacher, bluegrass gospel music, and river baptisms. This certainly alludes to a kind of revival, specifically “Camp Meeting Revival,” which is part of the Methodist tradition. They can be seen as the other side of “retreat” coin. Others might think of a Billy Graham Crusade as a revival. However, most revivals today are much more modest in nature and setting. A revival is simply dedicated effort to doing something different, focused, and “big” in order to facilitate an awakening of the spirit and the opportunity to encounter Christ.

Some Methodist churches have put on revivals by paying money to have guest preachers come and give sermons on specific pre-selected topics on Friday evening and all day on Saturday, ending with Sunday morning worship. These churches might pull out all the stops for music by hiring professional musicians or bands they would not normally hear. Between services, food would be provided in the church hall for fellowship. There might also be breakout sessions for smaller groups in Sunday school rooms or other parts of the church, much like a seminar with workshops.

The goal is typically to fill the pews – the aim wasn’t to have a crowd larger than your means to accommodate (although that would be a blessing). It might be something just different enough to bring in curious outsiders (music is important here) or it might be interesting enough to bring Christians from other churches in to visit (the guest speakers are important here). If nothing else, it should deepen the faith and commitment of the members of the hosting parish. And if finances are an issue, try combining efforts with other Catholic parishes to bring a big name to town. That’s connexional thinking about reaching out together to accomplish something. Remember though, that a revival isn’t simply about an interesting talk or lecture from a prominent guest. Frame that talk with music, prayer, and fellowship, and follow it up over the course of several days or a weekend in order to stir up the spirit.

Another form of Holy Conferencing can simply be conferencing itself, as dreary as it might seem. Methodism utilizes regular conferencing for offering lay ministry classes across their districts and conferences (dioceses). These include classes on leading worship, leading prayer, preaching, teaching Bible studies, conducting specific types of ministries, and even church planting. Many of these are open to any Christian interested in taking the course. In recent years, these courses have found their way to an online platform as well in BeADisciple.com. This website allows members of the Ordinariate access to these classes, but also has the potential to be used as a tool for the Ordinariate because it is very open to new classes and being used as a means for facilitating local classes online. It is Methodist focused, but describes itself as being helpful to any Christian. Members of the Ordinariate might be able to offer classes for each other on how to use the Daily Office books, or might offer ecumenical classes on how to use the Book of Common Prayer or how to sing English Chant/Plainsong, for example.

Revivals and Conferences grant us Catholics the opportunity to gather with fellow Christians to share ideas and enthusiasm. They can be tools for helping the Ordinariates grow too.

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