Revolution by Evolution

    The phrase “Revolution by Evolution” is frequently attributed to Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linskyin reference to the peculiar nature of leadership which is described as “disappointing people at a rate they can absorb.” Revolution by evolution explores “the delicate art of pushing for transformative change without crossing the threshold of mutiny or burnout.” As we continue in the season of celebrations related to the Fourth of July, examining the multifaceted nature of the developments of the United States and the United Methodist Church are especially relevant and timely.  The terms Declaration of Independence (DOI) and Revolutionary War (RW) describe lofty, almost unattainable goals and unimaginable sacrifices. The location of the Continental Congress, the Pennsylvania State Hall in Philadelphia, was the place where the signers of the DOI gathered. The building was one-half mile from St. George’s Church (later to become St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church and ultimately St. George’s United Methodist Church), the place where several signers of the DOI worshiped including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin,  and John Adams.  

    On July 4, 1773, the first annual conference of the Methodist Church was held at St. George’s according to Dr. Robb Lee, Connectional Coordinator of the General Commission on Archives and History of the UMC.   The conference at St. George’s was held exactly three years prior to the signing of the DOI. (Ironically, eleven years later, Richard Allen and Absalom Jones were forcibly removed from St. George’s as they were praying because of racial segregation within the church. Richard Allen had become a Methodist preacher in 1777 at the age of 17. After purchasing his freedom, he moved to Philadelphia—a city whose name means brotherly love. Allen would later become the first bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.) Because the tensions leading up to the rebellion of 1776 had been building over several years following violent confrontations with British soldiers throughout the colonies, all of the missionaries that John Wesley had sent to America returned to England. The only missionary who remained was Francis Asbury. Because John Wesley loyalty to the crown (I.e., the king and queen of England), there was significant unrest and suspicion within the Methodist societies. Many colonists suspected the Methodists to be spies.

    Colonists frequently were involved in violent confrontations with the British soldiers who were often regarded as an occupying and oppressive force rather than providing protection and order.  The increased taxes that were being demanded by England from the colonists led to the Boston Massacrein which Crispus Attucks (a formerly enslaved man) was killed March 5, 1770.  Attucks is often identified as the first casualty of the Revolutionary War. In the face of increasing violence and accusations, many members of the Church of England (the Anglican Church) both laity and clergy left the colonies. Over 70,000 laity fled and only ten Anglican priests remained in the colonies.  

    To avoid further harassment and arrest, Asbury preached primarily in the neutral territory of Maryland and Delaware. John Wesley was deeply troubled by the call to arms that was growing in popularity throughout the colonies. In his sermon, “A Calm Address to Our American Colonies,” Wesley noted that he opposed the colonial uprising for four primary reasons:

    (1) Belief in Existing Liberty: He argued that American colonists enjoyed robust freedoms under British rule, even if they lacked representation in Parliament;

    (2) Opposition to Rebellion: As a loyalist to the Crown, he believed rebellion was deeply sinful and destructive to civil society;
    (3) Hypocrisy in the Colonies: He found it deeply hypocritical for the colonies to "proclaim freedom" while continuing to practice the institution of chattel slavery; (41 of the 56 signers of the DOI were enslavers including Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Hancock) and

    (4) Distaste for Vandalism: He was outraged by events like the Boston Tea Party, viewing them as unlawful destruction of property.  

    Wesley capitulated somewhat in his opposition to the RW, in part, because of the growing influence of Asbury and the growth of the Methodist societies (the Methodist denomination was not officially recognized until the Christmas Conference of 1784 in Baltimore in which Wesley sent Thomas Coketo ordain Francis Asbury).  While John Wesley travelled over 250,000 miles on horseback primarily in England, Asbury traveled over 280,000 miles in America on horseback and was more popular and widely known than George Washington. The spread and growth of the Methodist church was unparalleled by any other denomination. When John Wesley died in 1791, there were approximately 132,000 members, over 400 clergy and 4,000 preaching locations. By the time Francis Asbury died in 1816, there were 250,000 members and 700 clergy. Some estimated that 1 in every 36 Americans were Methodists.  

    There are many reasons to celebrate the continued evolution of ideals and longings. The unfortunate loss of life that accompanies any war is deeply troubling and enormously regretful. The denial of liberty, especially for those who risk and those who suffer the loss of life, is often forgotten or minimized.   The complexities of war and conflict cannot be reduced to mere opinions or preferences. As Christians, we long to hear the still small voice of calm the whispers amidst the tumult (1 Kings 19:11-13).

    We’ll see you worship, in class and around town as we follow Jesus.  

In Christ,

Jon McCoy