|
What is our mission?
When John Wesley visited Manchester Cathedral in 1783 he said: ‘Such a sight, I believe, was never seen at Manchester before’ It was supposed there were thirteen or fourteen hundred communicants, among whom there was such a spirit as I have seldom found; and their whole behaviour was such as adored the gospel’.– his journal (Vol 6)This was very different from his visit thirty one years previously, when it is said; ‘the congregation were bowing, curtsying and talking to each other as going from a play’.Wesley’s great experience of God’s love him led to his deep personal conversion and commitment to Christ when he said that he ‘felt his heart strangely warmed’ by God. This experience of God’s touch and spiritual renewal transformed his life and ministry, and led to the renewal of the Church, leading eventually to the beginnings of the Methodist Church. In fact, Wesley opened a chapel in Oldham Street on 30 April 1781. This is the present Methodist Church in the city centre where Christians still gather for worship. Our Anglican mission Sanctus 1 operates from this church at present.Perhaps we can again be the people that Wesley encountered when he visited the Cathedral (then Collegiate Church) in 1783. Let us be described as the early Christians were described by onlookers: ‘see how they love one another’. God’s love amongst us will make all the difference to our relationships with each other, and be a genuine sign of the Lord in our midst. This will make a huge difference to our mission to the city and the world as we seek to draw people closer to the Lord
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 28 August 2008 )
|
