Biblioteca Digital Wesleyana - O mundo é a minha paróquia

The marks of Wesley's exemplary leadership

Grounded in Jesus' Leadership

Odilon Massolar Chaves

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It is allowed to read, copy and share for free

Article 184 of the Penal Code and Law 96710 of February 19, 1998.

Books published in the Wesleyan Digital Library: 602

Books published by the author: 676

Cover photo: https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/holy-clubs-and-tuesday-meetings

Translator: Google

All glory to God!

Odilon Massolar Chaves is a retired Methodist pastor, with a doctorate in Theology and History from the Methodist University of São Paulo.

He is married to RoseMary. He has two daughters: Liliana and Luciana.

His thesis dealt with the Methodist revival in England in the eighteenth century and its contribution as a paradigm for our days.

He was editor of the official Methodist newspaper and coordinator of the Theology Course.

Copyright Statement: These files are in the public domain and are derived from an electronic edition that is available on the Ethereal Library of Christian Classics website.

Rio de Janeiro – Brazil

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Table of Contents

· Introduction

· Highlights of the book's chapters

· The leader clearly shows the goal to be achieved

· The leader prioritizes spiritual issues

· The leader has authority

· The leader is prepared to overcome temptations and adversities

· The leader guides and empowers the subordinates

· The leader thinks about the well-being of the subordinates

· The leader's leadership is shared

· The leader is open to new situations and wants the subordinates to develop

· The leader sets an example

· The leader sees beyond and is frank with the subordinates

· The leader is resilient

· The leader is driven by compassion

· The leader has intimacy with the Father

· The leader uses wisdom in difficult matters

· The leader values and gives confidence to the subordinates

· The Leader Prepares Leadership for the Mission to Continue

· The leader's leadership is servant

· The leader has an unquestionable character

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Introduction

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"The Marks of Wesley's Exemplary Leadership" is a 46-page book about Wesley's leadership grounded in Jesus' leadership.

Wesley is admired and recognized as a great leader by several evangelical churches.

On the website of the Anglican Church of Brazil it is written: "John Wesley, one of the most important religious leaders in the history of England".^{^[1]}

In an article published in the Adventist Theology Review, it is written: "John Wesley as an Example of Leadership for Adventist Pastors of the 21st Century."^{^[2]} "The life and ministry of John Wesley is an example that should be adopted as a model of leadership by Adventist pastors today to achieve efficiency in preaching the gospel." ^{^[3]}

In this book, we address 18 topics about Jesus and Wesley's behavior in the practice of leadership.

A study that can be useful to be taught about biblical and effective leadership.

The Author

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Highlights of the book's chapters

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The leader clearly shows the goal to be achieved

Reform the nation, particularly the Church, and spread biblical holiness throughout the earth

The leader prioritizes spiritual issues

You've got nothing to do but save souls

The leader has authority

Wesley realized the gravity of the situation and the violence still increasing, he descended to the coarsest of them and took the leader of the crowd by the hand. who immediately said, "Lord, I will see you safe at home. Lord, no man will touch you. Gentlemen, stand up: give back. I will knock down the first man who touches it"

The leader is prepared to overcome temptations and adversities

"Gentlemen, do any of you have anything to say to me? I am John Wesley!" One of them seemed extremely angry, I presume because he said, "I am John Wesley." And I don't know how I would have done after such a courageous statement."

The leader guides and empowers the subordinates

"1. Be careful. Do not spend more time anywhere than is strictly necessary.

2. Be serious. Let your motto be, "Holiness to the Lord." Avoid all foolish jokes and talk.

3. Talk moderately and cautiously with women. Particularly with young women.

The leader thinks about the well-being of the subordinates

At the Annual Conference of1765 there was approval of the "Fund for Preachers" benefiting the "weary" preachers, their widows and children

The leader's leadership is shared

"The Conference had three questions on its agenda:

1. What to teach?

2. How to teach?

3. How to regulate doctrine, discipline and practice?"

The leader is open to new situations and wants the subordinates to develop

It is very clear to me the extraordinary dispensation of His providence. So it is no wonder that some things happen in it that do not fit into the ordinary rules of discipline

The leader sets an example

On Saturday, June 1, 1782, "I spent a little time with forty poor children, whom Lady Maxwell keeps in school," Wesley said

The leader sees beyond and is frank with the subordinates

"Give me a hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I don't care one bit whether they are clergy or laity, only they will shake the gates of hell and establish the kingdom of heaven on earth."

The leader is resilient

In the afternoon I rode to Redruth and preached to a large congregation in an open part of the street. My voice was low, but with the day calm, I believe everyone could hear me. When the preaching was over, I felt considerably stronger than when I had started.

The leader is driven by compassion

"About eleven hundred of them, we are told, were confined in that little place, with nothing to lay down but a little dirty straw, or anything to cover them but a few fine and filthy rags, day or night, so that they died like rotten sheep."^{^[4]}

"I was greatly affected, and preached at night (Exodus 23:9): 'Thou shalt not oppress a stranger, for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing that ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.'" ^{^[5]}

"We bought linen and woolen cloth, which were made into shirts, vests and shorts"

The leader has intimacy with the Father

Wesley "got up at 4 a.m. every day to seek God for the first four hours of the day. In his later years, Wesley was known to spend up to 8 hours in prayer

The leader uses wisdom in difficult matters

A crowd of people was gathered at five and was very quiet until I named my text." [6]

There was then a reaction from some people against Wesley's preaching. "The beasts of the people raised their voices, hallucinating and screaming on every side,"[7] Wesley said.

The leader values and gives confidence to the subordinates

The knight Sir Robert Peel was very fond of the Methodists and frequented the chapels. He once invited Wesley to have breakfast with him during a conference in Lancashire. "Wesley promised to do so on condition that he could bring some of his children with him. At the appointed time, he appeared accompanied by thirty-six of his itinerant preachers."

The Leader Prepares Leadership for the Mission to Continue

In 1784, Wesley made provision for the government of Methodism after his death through the Annual People's Conference called Methodists. He appointed 100 people and declared them his members and established the method by which his successors should be appointed

The leader's leadership is servant

In Bristol, September 11, 1789: "I pray, therefore, my brethren, for God's sake; For the sake of me, your old and almost weary servant

The leader has an unquestionable character

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The leader clearly shows the goal to be achieved

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Reform the nation, particularly the Church, and spread biblical holiness throughout the earth

Jesus: "And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; but whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:15-16).

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit;

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:19-20).

Wesley: And Wesley believed that it was Methodism raised up by God to change the current situation, that is, to: "Reform the nation, particularly the Church, and spread biblical holiness over all the earth." ^{^[8]}

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The leader prioritizes spiritual issues

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You've got nothing to do but save souls

Jesus: "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).

Wesley: "You have nothing to do but save souls. Therefore, spend and be spent on this work." ^{^[9]}

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The leader has authority

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Jesus: "When Jesus finished pronouncing these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching. For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the teachers of the law" (Matthew 7:28-29)

Wesley: On Saturday, June 27, 1747, Wesley preached at four and then spoke sternly to the society part. He wrote: "So far I have found only one person among them who knew the love of God before my brother came. No wonder the devil was so quiet; for their goods were at peace."[10]

When Wesley went to deliver his second sermon, "about six o'clock in the evening, I went to the place where I preached last year. Just before we finished the hymn, came the lieutenant, a famous man, with his retinue of soldiers, drummers, and crowd. When the drums ceased, a gentleman barber began to speak: but his voice was quickly drowned out in the shouts of the crowd, which grew more and more ferocious as their numbers increased."[11]

After waiting about 15 minutes, Wesley realized the gravity of the situation and the violence still increasing, he went down to the rudest of them and took the leader of the crowd by the hand. who immediately said, "Lord, I will see you safe at home. Lord, no man will touch you. Gentlemen, stand up: give back. I will knock down the first man who touches it.' We walked in great peace, my conductor from time to time craning his neck (he was a very tall man) and looking around to see if any behaved rudely, until we reached Mr. Hide's door. We then parted ways in much love. I stood in the street almost half an hour after he had gone talking to the people, who had now forgotten their anger and left in high spirits."[12]

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The leader is prepared to overcome temptations and adversities

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Jesus: "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterwards;

And the tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread."

But he answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'

Then the devil carried him into the holy city, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple,

And he said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; for it is written, "That he shall give his angels charge over thee, and they shall take thee in their hands, that thou dash not thy foot against a stone."

Jesus said to him, "It is also written, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'

Again the devil carried him to a very high mountain; and he showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory.

And he said to him, "All these things will I give you if you will fall down and worship me."

Then Jesus said to him, "Go away, Satan, for it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'

Then the devil leaves him; and, behold, the angels came and ministered to him" (Matthew 4:1-11).

John Wesley: Wesley reported in 1744, in England: "As soon as I arrived at the field of vision of Tolcarn (in the parish of Wendron), where I was to preach at night, I was accosted by many who came running, as if for their lives, and begging me not to go any further. I asked, "Why not?" And they answered, "The trustees and constables, and all the leaders of the parish are waiting for you at the top of the hill, determined to arrest you. They have a special mandate from the judges who are in Helstone and will remain there until you are brought in."

I rode straight to the top of the hill, and, observing four or five well-dressed men on horseback, I went straight up to them and asked, "Gentlemen, have any of you anything to say to me? I am John Wesley!" One of them seemed extremely angry, I presume because he said, "I am John Wesley." And I do not know how I should have fared after such a bold statement, except that Mr. Collins, Redruth's minister (accidentally, as he said) came and approached me and said that he had met me at Oxford.

My first antagonist was silent, and a dispute of another kind began: whether this preaching had done any good. I appealed to the question of fact. He acknowledged (after many words): "People are fine at the moment," but added: "No doubt in a little while, they will be very bad, if not worse than before." As he rode out, one of the knights said, "Sir, I would like to talk to you a little. Let's ride to the gate." So we did, and he said, "Lord, I will tell you the cause of this. All the gentlemen on those sides have said that you have been for a long time in France and Spain, and that you are now sent here by the pretender to the throne; and that these societies have the purpose of uniting with him". No, surely, "all the gentlemen on those sides," would not lie against their own consciences! I rode from there to a friend's house, a few miles away, and learned that a worker's sleep is sweet.[13]

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The leader guides and empowers the subordinates

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"1. Be careful. Do not spend more time anywhere than is strictly necessary.

2. Be serious. Let your motto be, "Holiness to the Lord." Avoid all foolish jokes and talk.

3. Talk moderately and cautiously with women. Particularly with young women.

Jesus: "And when Jesus saw the multitude, he went up into a mountain, and sat down, and his disciples came to him;

And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted;

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth;

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled;

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy;

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God;

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God;

Blessed are those who suffer persecution for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;

Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you for my sake.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven; for thus persecuted the prophets who were before you.

You are the salt of the earth; and if the salt be tasteless, with what is it to be salted? It is good for nothing but to cast himself out, and to be trampled on by men.

You are the light of the world; a city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden;

Nor is the lamp lit and put under a bushel, but on the candlestick, and gives light to all who are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:1-16).

Wesley: John Wesley laid down 12 rules for Methodist preachers. We present below a summary and the main idea of each rule:

"1. Be careful. Do not spend more time anywhere than is strictly necessary.

2. Be serious. Let your motto be, "Holiness to the Lord." Avoid all foolish jokes and talk.

3. Talk moderately and cautiously with women. Particularly with young women.

4. Do not take a step toward marriage without solemn prayer to God and consulting with your brethren.

5. Do not believe in anyone's harm; unless you've seen him do it.

6. Do not speak ill of anyone; otherwise your word especially would eat like a cancer. Keep your thoughts inside your own chest until you reach the person in question.

7. Tell each one what you think is wrong with him, lovingly and clearly, as soon as you can; Take all the haste out of throwing the fire out of your chest.

8. A preacher of the Gospel is the servant of all.

9. Be ashamed of nothing but sin.

10. Be punctual. Do everything exactly on time.

11. You have nothing to do but save souls. So spend and be spent on this work.

12. Act in all things, not according to your own will, but as a child in the Gospel. As such, it is your part to employ your time in the way we direct; In part, in preaching and house-to-house visits; In part, in reading, meditation and prayer (...)".^{^[14]}

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The leader thinks about the well-being of the subordinates

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At the Annual Conference of1765 there was approval of the "Fund for Preachers" benefiting the "weary" preachers, their widows and children

Jesus: ^"Look at the birds of the air, which do not sow or reap or gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of much more value than they? And which of you will be able to add a cubit to his stature with all his cares? And as for clothing, why are you solicitous? Look at the lilies of the field, how they grow; they do not work or spin. And I say to you, Not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like any of them. For if God thus clothes the grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not clothe you much more, O you of little faith? Do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or with what shall we be clothed?' (Because all these things the Gentiles seek.) Surely your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things; But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Do not worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for each day is his evil" (Matthew 6:26-34).

Wesley: At the Annual Conference of1765 there was approval of the "Fund for Preachers" benefiting the "weary" preachers, their widows and children.^{^[15]}

At the 1778 Annual Conference, Wesley worries about the health of preachers and asks why they have nervous problems. He gave six practical pieces of advice, among them, do daily physical exercises; going to bed early and waking up early, etc.^{^[16]}

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The leader's leadership is shared

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"The Conference had three questions on its agenda:

1. What to teach?

2. How to teach?

3. How to regulate doctrine, discipline and practice?"

Jesus: "And the seventy returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even demons are subject to us by your name.'

And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven."

Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the strength of the enemy, and nothing will hurt you" (Luke 10:17-19).

Wesley: Wesley commented on this Conference: "On Monday, June 25, 1744, we commenced the first Conference, with six clergymen and all our preachers present. The next morning we seriously considered the doctrine of sanctification or Christian perfection."[17]

The first Yearly Conference began on June 25, 1744, ^{^[18]}and was a milestone in the development of Wesleyan doctrine and discipline. It is a meeting held to direct the revival and make adjustments. The Conference lasted a week. In addition to the Wesley brothers and the preachers, four other Anglican ministers were present: John Hodges, Henry Piers, Samuel Taylor and John Meriton.^{^[19]}

"The Conference had three questions on its agenda:

1. What to teach?

2. How to teach?

3. How to regulate doctrine, discipline and practice?"^{^[20]}

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The leader is open to new situations and wants the subordinates to develop

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It is very clear to me the extraordinary dispensation of His providence. So it is no wonder that some things happen in it that do not fit into the ordinary rules of discipline

Jesus: "I tell you the truth, He who believes in me will also do the works that I have done. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, that the Father may be glorified in the Son" (John 14:12-13).

Wesley: In 1771, Mary Bosanquet wrote a letter to Wesley saying that she had called him to preach and solicited counsel. Wesley replied:

"Londonderry, June 13, 1771.

My dear sister:

I think the strength of your cause lies in this: the extraordinary calling you have. I am so sure of this, for it has every one of our lay preachers; Otherwise, no way I could accept his preaching.

It is very clear to me the extraordinary dispensation of His providence. So it is not surprising that some things happen in it that do not fit into the ordinary rules of discipline. St. Paul's common rule was, "I do not permit a woman to speak in the congregation" (1 Cor. 14:34; 1 Tim. 2:12)

However, in extraordinary cases He made some exceptions; particularly in Corinth.

I continue, my dear sister,

Your loving brother,

John Wesley."

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The leader sets an example

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On Saturday, June 1, 1782, "I spent a little time with forty poor children, whom Lady Maxwell keeps in school," Wesley said

Jesus: ^"When Jesus had finished washing their feet, he put on his tunic, went back to the table, and asked them all,

"Do you understand what I just did to you?" You call me Master and Lord, and you are right, for I am. If I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another's feet. I did this to serve as an example to you. So, as I did to you, do also to one another. I tell you the truth, a servant is not superior to his master, just as a messenger is not superior to the one who sent him. If you understand these things, you will be happy if you do them" (John 13:12-17).

Wesley: On Saturday, June 1, 1782, "I spent a little time with forty poor children, whom Lady Maxwell keeps in school," said We77sley. "They are rapidly advancing in reading and writing, and they learn the principles of religion. But I observe in all of them the love for elegance. Be they ever so poor, they must have a piece of elegance. Many of them don't have a shoe on their feet, but the rag girl isn't without her frills."^{^[21]}

Wesley directed his preachers to take some practical attitudes in relation to the education of children.

John Wesley told the Methodist preachers:

"Where there are ten children in a Society, we should meet them at least one hour a week; talk to them whenever we see some of them at home; pray fervently for them; diligently instruct and strongly exhort all parents in their own homes. Some will say, 'I don't have the gift for it.' Gift or no gift, you must do it, or else you are not called to be a Methodist preacher. Do as you can, until you can do it as you would. Pray fervently for the gift and use all the help God has placed in your path in order to achieve them. Preach expressly on the education of children when making the Collection for Kingswood School.[22]

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The leader sees beyond and is frank with the subordinates

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Jesus: "Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be wise as serpents and simple as doves. ¹But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to the Sanhedrins, and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings for my sake, to be a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not be careful how or what you will speak, for in that very hour it will be ministered to you what you will say" (Matthew 10:16-19).

Wesley: Wesley once said to Alexander Mather, "To be a Methodist preacher is not the way to ease, honor, pleasure, or profit. It is a life of hard work and failure". And he added: "they are prone to being stoned, beaten and abused in various ways. Consider this before you engage in such an uncomfortable way of life."

"On August 6, 1777, forty years after the beginning of his Methodist movement, John Wesley wrote a letter to a friend, Alexander Mather, in Bristol. Mather was a trusted preacher and was conference president. Wesley spared no effort when he described the main problem of his great spiritual movement:

"The danger of ruin for Methodism is not here. It springs from a very different place. Our preachers, many of them, are down. They are not spiritual. They are not alive to God. They are soft, enervated [drained of energy; weak], afraid of shame, toil, hardship. They don't have the spirit that God gave to Thomas Lee at Pateley Bridge or to you in Boston. Give me a hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I don't care one bit whether they are clergy or laity, only they will shake the gates of hell and establish the kingdom of heaven on earth."[23]

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The leader is resilient

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Jesus: "Jesus encourages resilience in His disciples before His death: 'In this world, you will have afflictions, but take courage, I have overcome the world.'"[24]

Pharisees question Jesus, but that doesn't stop Jesus from continuing his mission: "Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.

And the Jews said unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham and the prophets died; and you say, 'If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.'

Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets also died. Who do you make yourself be?

Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing; he who glorifies me is my Father, whom you say is your God.

And you do not know him, but I know him. And if I say that I do not know him, I am a liar like you; but I know him and keep his word.

Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it, and he rejoiced.

And the Jews said unto him, Art thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am."

Then they took stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, passing through the midst of them, and so departed" (John 8:51-59).

Despite the persecution of the Pharisees, Jesus continued his mission:

"And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.

And his disciples asked him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

Jesus answered, "Neither he nor his parents have sinned; but it was so that the works of God might be made manifest in him.

It is expedient that I do the works of him that sent me, while it is day; The night comes, when no one can work.

While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

When he had said this, he spat on the earth, and made mud with his saliva, and greased the blind man's eyes with the mud.

And he said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which means the Sent One). So he went and washed, and came back seeing" (John 9:1-7).

Wesley: 1/08/1753 – Wednesday.

He said: "At half past two in the morning, my illness returned with more violence than ever.

At 2:30 a.m., my illness returned with more violence than ever. The cramp also returned, sometimes in my feet and hands, sometimes in my thighs, my side, and my throat. I also felt a continuous malaise and the feeling of a full stomach, as if I was about to burst. I vomited, but I hardly emptied it all; nor anything he took caused any change. I continued like this all day and all the next night; but, notwithstanding this, I could not help remarking particularly that I had no headache, colic, or any pain (only cramps), from beginning to end.

08/02 – Thursday. 1753

Here again I saw the gracious providence of God, placing me in the hands of a sensible and skillful man

Finding that I had no improvement, but, on the contrary, I became weaker and weaker, and my stomach continued to worsen, so that I could not stand or lie down, except on my right side; I sent a message to Mr. Carter, of Redruth, who came to see me without delay. Here again I saw the gracious providence of God, placing me in the hands of a sensible and skillful man. He advised me to persist in the same regimen I was on and did not prescribe me any medicine except a small dose of rhubarb. But even that (as I expected it to happen) I threw up immediately. I was very pleased with the best advice I could find, although my illness continued as much as before. But about five o'clock in the afternoon it ceased suddenly, without any discernible cause. The cramp also went away, my stomach got better and I was able to lie down and sleep until six o'clock in the morning.

08/03 – Friday. 1753

I began to regain my strength, so that I could sit for two hours straight

I began to regain my strength, so that I could sit for two hours straight. From then on, I didn't feel any inconvenience, I just couldn't talk or stay long without resting.

08/05 – Sunday. 1753

My voice was low, but with the day calm, I believe everyone could hear me

08/11 – Saturday. 1753

The rain stopped at noon, and I had an opportunity to preach in the market-place

The rain stopped at noon, and I had an opportunity to preach in the market-place at Camelford. I saw only one person in the congregation who was not deeply serious. And (what I was sorry to hear) was the assistant parish priest of that parish. As soon as we left, we faced rain like we had never seen before in Europe. But it did us no harm; we arrived well, although soaked, in Gennys. I had not yet seen so many people on Sunday in this church; nor had he spoken so clearly to them before. They heard it, but when will they feel it? Oh! What can a man do to raise dead bodies and souls?

On 08/13 – Monday, 1753

What can cause harm without God's permission?

Rain fell on us all the way to Launceston. I preached at noon, but I was not dry until the evening. Still, I didn't get a cold. What can cause harm without God's permission? “.[25]

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The leader is driven by compassion

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"We bought linen and woolen cloth, which were made into shirts, vests and shorts"

Jesus: "And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out demons.

And a leper came to him, and begged him, and knelt down before him, and said to him, "If you are willing, you can cleanse me."

And Jesus, moved with great compassion, stretched forth his hand, and touched him, and said to him, "I will, be clean."

And when he had said this, immediately the leprosy disappeared, and he was clean" (Mark 1:39-42).

Wesley: In the so-called "Seven Years' War" (1756-1763), England and France fought a war. "It was a conflict between England and France over land in North America and the Asian continent. It also involved Prussia, Austria, Portugal and Spain.

The war spread over three continents and was fought in Europe as well as in America and Asia. That is why it is considered the first world conflict."[28]

During the war, the English took French prisoners. Wesley went to visit the French prisoners.

Clothing for French prisoners

Wesley was sensitive to the needs of the excluded and questioned the social situation of the people. In 1759, he commented on the plight of the prisoners who were at Knowle:

Thou shalt not oppress a stranger

"I Was Very Affected and Preached at Night"

On Monday, October 15, 1759, "I walked to Knowle, a mile from Bristol, to see the French prisoners,"^{^[29]} Wesley said.

The village of Knowle is situated 3 miles east-southeast of the town of Solihull, West Midlands, England.

"I was greatly affected, and preached at night (Exodus 23:9), "Thou shalt not oppress a stranger, for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing that ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." ^{^[31]}

"We bought linen and woolen cloth, which were made into shirts, vests and shorts"

Wesley went further than preaching: "Eighteen pounds were immediately contributed, which were made up of four and twenty the next day. With that, we bought linen and wool cloth, which were made into shirts, vests and shorts. About a dozen socks were added; all of which were carefully distributed where there was the greatest need." ^{^[32]}

"Soon after, the Bristol Corporation sent a large quantity of mattresses and blankets"

And Wesley went further. "Soon after, the Bristol Corporation sent a large quantity of mattresses and blankets. And it was not long before the contributions were set up in London and in various parts of the kingdom; so that I believe that from this time they were very well provided with all the necessities of life."^{^[33]}

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The leader has intimacy with the Father

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Wesley "got up at 4 a.m. every day to seek God for the first four hours of the day. In his later years, Wesley was known to spend up to 8 hours in prayer

Jesus: "Jesus spoke these things, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you, just as you have given him power over all flesh, that he may give eternal life to all those whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have glorified you on earth, having finished the work you gave me to do. And now glorify me, O Father, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. I have made your name known to the men whom you have given me out of the world; they were thine, and thou gavest them unto me, and they kept thy word. Now they have known that all that you have given me is of you, because I have given them the words that you have given me; and they have received them, and have truly known that I went forth from you, and believed that you sent me. I pray for them; I pray not for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. And all my things are yours, and your things are mine; and in this I am glorified" (John 17:1-10).

Wesley: Wesley "got up at 4 a.m. every day to seek God for the first four hours of the day. In his later years, Wesley was known to spend up to 8 hours in prayer."[34]

In 1733, Wesley published: "Collection of Forms of Prayer". He says: "I spoke explicitly of giving my heart and life totally to God. This was then, as it is now, my idea of perfection."^{^[35]}

"Prayer," said Wesley, "is the great means of drawing near to God" (Letter to Miss March, 3–29–1760); it is 'the breath of our spiritual life' (NT Notes, I Thess 5:16)."^{^[36]}

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The leader uses wisdom in difficult matters

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A crowd of people was gathered at five and was very quiet until I named my text." [37]

There was then a reaction from some people against Wesley's preaching. "The beasts of the people raised their voices, hallucinating and screaming on every side,"[38] Wesley said.

Jesus: "Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was again at the temple. Soon a crowd gathered, and he sat down and taught them. Then the teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought him a woman caught in adultery and set her before the crowd.

"Master, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery," they told Jesus. ⁵"The law of Moses commands that she be stoned. What do you say?"

They tried to trap him by making him say something that they could use against him. Jesus, however, just leaned down and began to write with his finger on the ground. They continued to demand an answer, so he stood up and said, "Let him of you who has never sinned cast the first stone." Then he bowed down again and went back to writing on the earth.

When they heard this, they went out, one at a time, starting with the oldest, until only Jesus and the woman were left in the crowd. ^{1Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, "Where
are your accusers? None of them condemned her?"}

"No, Lord," she replied.

And Jesus said, "I do not condemn her either. Go and sin no more" (John 8:1-11)

Wesley: On Tuesday, March 27, 1764, Wesley and some companions went to Derby.

Wesley said, "Mr. Dobinson believed it would be better for me to preach in the market-place, for there seemed to be a general inclination in the city, even among fashionable people, to listen to me. He had mentioned this to the mayor, who said he did not realize that there would be the slightest disturbance; but if there was such a thing, he would have taken care to suppress it. A crowd of people was gathered at five and was very quiet until I named my text." [39]

There was then a reaction from some people against Wesley's preaching. "The beasts of the people raised their voices, hallucinating and screaming on every side,"[40] Wesley said.

It was not possible to catch this hostile environment. Wesley said: "Finding it impossible to be heard, I gently turned away. A countless entourage followed me; but only a few pebble stones were thrown, and no one was injured. The greater part of the rabble went to Mr. D's house; but it seems, without any pretense of malice; for they stood still for about an hour, and then went away in silence."[41]

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The leader values and gives confidence to the subordinates

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The knight Sir Robert Peel was very fond of the Methodists and frequented the chapels. He once invited Wesley to have breakfast with him during a conference in Lancashire. "Wesley promised to do so on condition that he could bring some of his children with him. At the appointed time, he appeared accompanied by thirty-six of his itinerant preachers."

Jesus: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, that he may be with you forever: it is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not let them be orphaned; I will return to you (John 14:15-18).

Wesley: Wesley values Methodist preachers and always honored them.

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The Leader Prepares Leadership for the Mission to Continue

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Jesus: ^"Jesus went up a mountain, called those whom he wanted, and they came to him. Then he chose twelve men to stay with him and be sent out to preach the gospel. These twelve he called apostles. They were given authority to cast out demons. The twelve were these: Simon, whom Jesus named Peter; James and John, sons of Zebedee (to these he gave the name of Boanerges, which means "Sons of Thunder"); Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus; Thaddeus, Simão, the nationalist; and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus" (Mark 3:13-19).

Wesley: In 1773, John Wesley appointed John William Fletcher to be his successor, however, Fletcher passed away before Wesley.

In 1784, Wesley made provision for the government of Methodism after his death through the Annual People's Conference called Methodists. He appointed 100 people and declared them his members and established the method by which his successors were to be appointed.^{^[42]}

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The leader's leadership is servant

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In Bristol, September 11, 1789: "I pray, therefore, my brethren, for God's sake; For the sake of me, your old and almost weary servant

Jesus: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).

Wesley: In Bristol, September 11, 1789: "I pray, therefore, my brethren, for God's sake; for love of me, your old and almost weary servant." [43]

Wesley further said, "A preacher of the Gospel is the servant of all." ^{^[44]}

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The leader has an unquestionable character

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Jesus: "And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished this discourse, that the multitude were astonished at his teaching;

For he taught them as having authority; and not as the scribes" (Matthew 7:28-29).

Wesley: 10/20/1743 – Thursday.

Wesley wrote in his journal: "I believe that all present felt the power of God; and no creature offered to molest us,

After preaching to a small, attentive congregation in Birmingham, I rode to Wednesbury. At noon I preached on a lot near the center of the city to a much larger congregation than was expected, on "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." I believe that everyone present felt the power of God; and no creature offered to molest us, either on the coming or on the return, but the Lord fought for us and we kept our peace.

We prayed that God would scatter them

I was writing at Francis Ward's house in the afternoon when a cry went up saying that the mob had attacked the house. We prayed that God might scatter them, and so it happened, one went this way and the other that way, and in half an hour no man was left. He said to our brethren, "Now it is time for us to leave"; But they pushed me excessively to stay. So, in order not to hurt them, I stayed; although he already foresaw what would happen.

Before five o'clock, the mob surrounded the house again, in greater numbers than before. The cry of one and all the others was: "Bring the minister out, we want the minister!"

Before five o'clock, the mob surrounded the house again, in greater numbers than before. The cry of one and all the others was: "Bring the minister out, we want the minister!" I asked someone to take their leader by the hand and bring him into the house.

After some conversation between us, the lion became a lamb

After some conversation between us, the lion became a lamb. So I asked him to go there and bring one or two of the craziest ones. He brought two others who were ready to swallow the ground in anger, but within two minutes they were calm as he was. So I ordered them to clear the way so that I could go out among the people.

"The gentleman is an honest man, and we will shed our blood in his defense!"

As soon as I found myself in the midst of them, I asked for a chair and climbed on it, asking, "What do any of you want with me?" "We want you to go with us to the judge!" some said, "I answered, "I will do it with all my heart"—and then spoke some words that God has applied; whereupon they cried out, with force and authority, "The gentleman is an honest man, and we will shed our blood in his defence!" I asked, "Can we go to the judge tonight or in the morning?" — Most of them shouted, "Tonight, tonight!" — so I went ahead and two or three hundred followed me, the rest returned to the place from which they came.

"And what do I have to do with Mr. Wesley?

Night came before we had walked a mile, in a heavy rain. At any rate, we went to Bentley Hall, two miles from Wednesbury. A couple of persons ran to tell Mr. Lane that they had brought Mr. Wesley before his Excellency. To which Mr. Lane replied, "And what have I to do with Mr. Wesley? Go and take him back!" In the meantime, the leader of the group approached and began to knock on the door. A servant told him that Mr. Lane was in bed; when his son appeared and asked what the problem was.

And what does your Excellency advise us to do?" — "To go to your homes"

Someone answered, "Is it not displeasing to you that they sing psalms all day; More than that, to get people to get up at five o'clock in the morning? And what does your Excellency advise us to do?—"To go to your homes," said Mr. Lane, "and be quiet." Here they were completely helpless, until someone advised them to go to the house of Magistrate Perse, at Walsal.

They agreed that the best thing to do was to head back to their homes

Everyone agreed to this, so we rushed there and, around seven o'clock, we arrived at his house. However, Mr. Perse also sent word that he was lying down. Now they were at an impasse again, but eventually they all agreed that the best thing to do was to head back to their homes. About fifty of them agreed to escort me.

Walsal's mob came, pouring in like a flood, clearing the way, and throwing itself before them. The Darlaston mob defended itself as best it could

But not going a hundred yards when Walsal's mob came, rushing in like a flood, making their way, and throwing themselves before them. The Darlaston mob defended themselves as best they could, but were tired as much as outnumbered, so in a short time many were felled and the rest fled, and left me behind in the hands of the crowd. Trying to speak was in vain, because the noise from all sides was like the roar of the sea.

I tried to get in, but a man, grabbing me by the hair, put me back in the middle of the mob. They didn't stop until they carried me, across the main street, from one side of town to the other

Then they dragged me all the way until we came to the city, where, seeing the door of a large house open, I tried to enter, but a man, taking me by the hair, put me back in the midst of the mob. They didn't stop until they carried me, across the main street, from one side of town to the other. I kept talking all the time for those around to hear, without feeling pain or fatigue. At the end of the western part, seeing a half-open door, I tried to enter through it, and I should have succeeded if a gentleman in the shop had not stopped me, saying that they would knock the house to the ground. Anyway, I stood at the door and asked:

"Are you ready to hear me speak?" "No, no! Blow your brains out!

"Are you ready to hear me speak?" "No, no! Blow your brains out! Knock him down, kill him immediately," many shouted, "No, but we will hear him first!" others said. And I started to say: "What wrong have I done? Which of you have I mistreated with word or deed?" — and I continued speaking for a quarter of an hour, until my voice suddenly cracked. Then the flood began to raise its voice again, many shouting, "Bring him out! Bring him out!"

In the meantime my strength and my voice returned, and I burst aloud in prayer. And now the man who had just been leading the mob turned around and said: "Lord, I will lay down my life for you. Follow me and no soul here will touch a hair of your head." Two or three of his comrades confirmed his words and approached me immediately. At that same moment, the gentleman in the shop shouted:

"What a shame! What a shame! Let him go!" An honest butcher, who was a little distant, said it was a shame for them to act like this, and pushed back four or five, one after the other, who were acting more violently. The people then, as if they had reached a consensus, moved away to the right and to the left, while three or four picked me up and carried me in the middle of them. But on the bridge the mob gathered again; We went one way, over the dam and thence across the prairie, until, a little before ten,

God brought me safely to Wednesbury. I had only lost the lapel of my coat and some skin from my hands

God brought me safely to Wednesbury. I had only lost the lapel of my coat and some skin from my hands. Presence of Mind I had never seen such a sequence of providences before, so many convincing proofs that the hand of God is upon every person and thing and intervening in everything that seems good to him. [45]

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https://ieab.org.br/ [1]2023/03/12/John-Wesley-from-Reverend-Anglican-to-Father-of-Methodism/

[2] https://revistas.faculdadeadventista.edu.br/teologia/article/view/25

[3] https://revistas.faculdadeadventista.edu.br/teologia/article/view/25

[4] WESLEY, João. Excerpts from the Diary of John Wesley. Ibidem, p.108-9.

[5]https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/travellers/J_Wesley/11

[6] https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/travellers/J_Wesley/13

[7] Ditto.

[8] HEITZENHATER, Richard P., Wesley and the People Called Methodist, Editeo-Pastoral Bennett, 1996, 230.

[9] http://www.seedbed.com/john-wesleys-12-rules-for-preachers/

http://betweenthetimes.com/index.php/2012/09/26/john-wesleys-twelve-rules-for-preachers/

https://churchleaderinsights.com/twelve-rules-for-preachers-from-john-wesley/

[10]https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/travellers/J_Wesley/7

[11] Ditto.

[12] https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/travellers/J_Wesley/7

[13] The Diary of John Wesley, the Father of Methodism (1735-1791). Angular Editora, 2017.

[14] http://www.seedbed.com/john-wesleys-12-rules-for-preachers/

http://betweenthetimes.com/index.php/2012/09/26/john-wesleys-twelve-rules-for-preachers/

https://churchleaderinsights.com/twelve-rules-for-preachers-from-john-wesley/

[15] By 1767 preachers were contributing a total of about £50 annually to the Preachers' Fund (Heitzenhater, Richard P., Wesley and the People Called Methodists, p. 234).

[16] Ibidem, p.272.

[17] Clear Explanation of Christian Perfection, ibid., p.41.

[18] Wesley thus commented on this Conference: "On Monday, June 25, 1744, we commenced the first Conference, with six clergymen and all our preachers present. The next morning we seriously considered the doctrine of Christian sanctification or perfection" (Clear Explanation of Christian Perfection, ibid., p.41).

[19] The Conference, which met in the chapel of an old foundry, was preceded the day before by a solemn communion service, and on the morning of the opening day by a sermon by Charles Wesley (LILIEVRE, Mateo, Ibidem, pp. 139-0).

[20] Ibidem. p. 140.

[21] Ditto.

[22]https://peopleneedjesus.net/2015/06/19/seven-things-john-wesley-expected-every-methodist-preacher-to-do-for-kids/

[23] https://www.facebook.com/story.php/?story_fbid=10232849091950448&id=1258608342&_rdr

[24]https://wearetearfund.org/ article/how-do-we-build-resilience-in-trying-times/

[25] O-Diario-de-John-Wesley_-O-pai-John-Wesley.pdf. Angular Editora, 2017.

[26] WESLEY, João. Excerpts from the Diary of John Wesley. Ibidem, p.108-9.

[27]https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/travellers/J_Wesley/11

[28]https://www.todamateria.com.br/guerra-dos-sete-anos/

[29] WESLEY, João. Excerpts from the Diary of John Wesley. São Paulo: Methodist Press, 1965, p.108-9.

[30] WESLEY, João. Excerpts from the Diary of John Wesley. Ibidem, p.108-9.

[31]https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/travellers/J_Wesley/11

[32] WESLEY, João. Excerpts from the Diary of John Wesley. Ibidem, p.108-9.

[33] WESLEY, João. Excerpts from the Diary of John Wesley. Ibidem, p.108-9.

[34] http://micahcobb.com/blog/john-wesleys-prayer-life/

[35] Ditto.

[36] https://www.moumethodist.org/newsdetailnewsdetail/wesley-on-prayer-11672059

[37] https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/travellers/J_Wesley/13

[38] Ditto.

[39] https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/travellers/J_Wesley/13

[40] Ditto.

[41] Ditto.

[42] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_presidents_of_the_Methodist_Conference

[43] The Diary of John Wesley, the Father of Methodism (1735-1791). Angular Editora, 2017.

[44] http://www.seedbed.com/john-wesleys-12-rules-for-preachers/

http://betweenthetimes.com/index.php/2012/09/26/john-wesleys-twelve-rules-for-preachers/

https://churchleaderinsights.com/twelve-rules-for-preachers-from-john-wesley/

[45] The Diary of John Wesley, the Father of Methodism (1735-1791). Angular Editora, 2017.

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