What Would Wesley Say?

I sometimes wonder what would John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement say about some of the issues facing the church today.

For example, what would Wesley say about the worship wars? What would he say about the use of musical instruments apart from the pipe organ or the use of projection screens and special lighting?

Wesley was a traditionalist. There is no denying that. Yet, he always threw off tradition for the sake of spreading the Gospel. When the Wesleyan revival was in its early stages and it was suggested that Wesley preach "outdoors" in order to reach more people with the good news he bristled. However, the traditionalist Wesley gave in. According to Bishop Robert Schnase "John Wesley stretched himself beyond his own traditional tastes and practices and in his own words submitted to be more vile when he began to preach outdoors to reach those beyond the church’s touch. Wesley kept the end in mind- helping people find a way back to God and helping God find a way to people- even if it required forms he himself found distasteful."

Today, I think Wesley would probably find many of the "methods" employed by churches trying to reach those who have never been or stopped going to church "vile". Yet, he would realize the end and that methods are changeable while message is not.