John Wesley, the spiritual founder of the Methodist movement, was a proponent of CLASS MEETINGS. It is my understanding that in the early days of Methodism, all of Wesley’s followers were expected to participate in class meetings. A major purpose of the class meeting was to ask participants, “And how is it with your soul?” In other words, class members were asked, “How are you doing?”
This past Sunday, Mike Cole, Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) Chair, and I met with the Seekers Sunday School Class. I think it is appropriate to say that Sunday School classes in part serve the same role as Class Meetings did in John Wesley’s time.
Mike talked about the role of the SPRC in providing guidance for the staffing of the church, and I specifically talked about my job as Executive Pastor. Then Mike asked if there were any questions. And there were questions which for the most part seemed to be, “And how is Platte Woods Church doing?” Those questions sounded much as I imagine an old time Class Meeting would have sounded except the discussion was around the well-being of our church.
This Thursday evening, September 25, 7:00 pm, Pastor Steve is hosting a gathering at which he will talk about the upcoming financial commitment program, when members and friends of the Platte Woods Church will be asked to support the church for 2009. Steve will also receive questions about what and how the church is doing.
If you have any questions or concerns about Platte Woods Church, or if you are interested in what is planned for 2009, Thursday evening’s gathering is an opportunity to find out what is happening. It will be a time when Steve will speak to the “How are we doing?” question. In good Wesleyan tradition we will have an open Class Meeting to discuss, “And how is it with the soul of our church?”
I hope to see you there.
