The Methodical Methodist Podcast

He has been known as the “Saint Francis of the Wilderness” and as “Brother Bob.” Robert Sayers Sheffey didn’t fit the mold of a polished preacher. He came from the backroads of Appalachia, rode the rugged circuits of Southwest Virginia, and preached as a Methodist itinerant preacher whose ministry was unconventional and unforgettable. Today, he remains one of the most legendary figures in the hist...

She was one of the most influential voices in 19th-century Methodism—so influential, in fact, that many have called her the “mother of the holiness movement.” Phoebe Palmer was a wife and mother, a writer and speaker, and a devoted follower of Christ. Through her Tuesday Meeting for the Promotion of Holiness in New York City, she inspired countless pastors, missionaries, and laypeople to pursue a...

He was a powerful voice in the early days of American Methodism—so powerful, in fact, that Francis Asbury once referred to him as his “silver trumpet.” Nicholas Snethen was a farmer, an itinerant preacher, a gifted orator, and a devoted church leader. He served as chaplain to the United States House of Representatives, bringing the gospel into the heart of American government. And he played a pivo...

Long before modern medicine, Urgent Care, or WebMD, John Wesley published a manual on health and wellness called Primitive Physick, or an Easy and Natural Method of Curing Most Diseases. This practical guide was filled with advice on everything from colds and fevers to melancholy and asthma. John Wesley believed that physical health was as important as spiritual health and had a deep concern for t...

The Soldier Preacher – Captain Thomas Webb was an unmistakable figure in Methodism. He preached in a scarlet and gold military uniform— with a green patch over his right eye and a sword brandished across the pulpit. Webb was a British Army officer turned Methodist lay preacher, who was known for his dynamic, energetic, bold, and enthusiastic personality. John Wesley once said of Webb, “The Captain...

He has been called the “Maverick of Methodism” and “the First Apostle of American Methodism.” Robert Strawbridge was a Pioneer of American Methodism and the first Methodist Circuit Rider in the United States. Strawbridge immigrated from his home in Ireland and traveled to Maryland where he is credited for establishing the first Methodist Society in American history. He did this without an official...

He was called Methodism’s “Paul Revere”—a tireless messenger of the gospel, riding from town to town with the fire of revival in his heart. Freeborn Garrettson was one of the most influential and fearless voices in early American Methodism. A fiery circuit rider, a bold abolitionist, a strict pacifist, and a passionate evangelist, Garrettson gave up the comforts of a privileged life to follow a hi...

He has been regarded as the “Father of Western Methodism.” William McKendree was shaped by the fires of the American frontier revival. He answered the call to ministry as a circuit rider, proclaiming the gospel through rugged terrain and across remote settlements. He was the first American-born bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his leadership helped solidify and expand the Methodist mo...

He has been described as one of the saintliest men in the itinerancy of Methodism. Richard Whatcoat was a Band and Class Leader in the Early Methodist Movement. He traveled as a circuit riding preacher. He served as a missionary to America. And he ultimately served as the third Bishop of the American Methodist Episcopal Church. From his humble beginnings in England to his pioneering work in spread...

What is Ash Wednesday? Why do we burn palm branches from Palm Sunday to make ashes? And then why do we put those ashes on our foreheads in the sign of the cross? On today’s episode of the Methodical Methodist Podcast, we are going to explore the history and tradition of Ash Wednesday – the day that marks the beginning of the season of Lent! Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review! Listen to me here...

Forgiveness is quite possibly one of the hardest things that we do as human beings. The need for forgiveness is a universal topic that affects everyone. Everyone has dealt with this theme of forgiveness in their lives – often on a daily basis. It is a big topic, and it is even a central theme in Scripture. On today's episode of the Methodical Methodist Podcast we are going to be exploring the impo...

The Vicar of Madeley –The Reluctant Saint of Methodism, John William Fletcher has often been referred to as the “First Theologian of Methodism.” He was perhaps most known for defending John Wesley’s position of Arminianism against the Calvinistic influences that were present in the early Methodist Movement. He was the man that John Wesley had hand-picked to be his successor after his death. Wesley...

Hope for the Holidays is more than just a catchy phrase that you might find in a Hallmark greeting. Hope is vital to our lives, and it is often the most prevalent during the season of Christmas. This book speaks about the message of hope that we find in the Christmas story as we celebrate Jesus' birth. In this book, we will explore the ways we can experience hope for the holidays. In each chapter,...

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Church door of the Wittenberg Castle in Germany. These 95 Statements challenged the status quo and made way for the Protestant Reformation. So, I hope you enjoy this historical episode of the Methodical Methodist Podcast as we explore the life and ministry of Martin Luther! Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review! Listen to me here: htt...

Maybe you have been at church and noticed the different banners change colors week to week? You might see the color of the stole on the pastor change colors too. One week it might be white, and the next week it might be green. So, what do those colors mean? Well, we are going to talk about all that and more today – as we explore the Liturgical Colors for the Christian Year! So, join us for this co...

On this special episode of the Methodical Methodist Podcast, Andrew is joined by two of his dear friends to talk about their love for J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter . Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review! Listen to me here: https://anchor.fm/methodical-methodist

For a period of three months, starting in December 1715, the Wesley family heard a number of strange sounds and witnessed numerous accounts of what they believed was a ghost name Old Jeffrey. Today we are going to explore these strange accounts reported by the Wesleys and the people who lived and worked in their home… The haunting of the Old Rectory at Epworth is considered one of the most fa...

George Whitefield was an Anglican priest and one of the founders of the Methodist Movement – from all the way back to the early days at Oxford where he was an original member of the Holy Club. Whitefield was a leader in the Great Awakening and preached a series of revivals throughout England and in the American Colonies. He is credited with bringing thousands of people into the Christian faith. Al...

On this episode of the Methodical Methodist Podcast, an old friend, Logan Murphy, joins me as we discuss ministry and the theological differences surrounding John Wesley and George Whitefield. John Wesley subscribed to a "free grace" Arminian theological framework whereas George Whitefield subscribed to a Reformed / Calvinist theological framework. Together, Logan and I discuss the importance of d...

Harry Denman – the man with only one suit – was a Methodist lay leader and evangelist whose life exemplified Jesus’ teachings from his Sermon on the Mount. He usually only had one pair of shoes, and he had no watch – because he liked to ask people for the time as a way of starting a conversation with folks. When people would gift Harry clothes, he would often turn around and give them to the...

October 31st is a day we know as Halloween. Christians have been celebrating Halloween for centuries. However, much like Christmas, Halloween is a festival that has been embraced by the wider culture. And because of that, it is a holiday that has really changed over time. It is a time when children dress up and trick or treat. This holiday has also spawned a number of horror films and scary movies...

The Ten Commandments offer a guide for how we live our lives and how we relate to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. These ten rules, that helped the ancient Israelites orient their lives, are still relevant for us today as we strive to orient our lives as well. I would argue that these rules do not hinder us from living full lives; instead, these rules provide some important guidelines as...

The Ten Commandments offer a guide for how we live our lives and how we relate to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. These ten rules, that helped the ancient Israelites orient their lives, are still relevant for us today as we strive to orient our lives as well. I would argue that these rules do not hinder us from living full lives; instead, these rules provide some important guidelines as...

The Ten Commandments offer a guide for how we live our lives and how we relate to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. These ten rules, that helped the ancient Israelites orient their lives, are still relevant for us today as we strive to orient our lives as well. I would argue that these rules do not hinder us from living full lives; instead, these rules provide some important guidelines as...

The Ten Commandments offer a guide for how we live our lives and how we relate to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. These ten rules, that helped the ancient Israelites orient their lives, are still relevant for us today as we strive to orient our lives as well. I would argue that these rules do not hinder us from living full lives; instead, these rules provide some important guidelines as...