Where would the Methodist movement be today if John Wesley had failed to respond to circumstances and had failed to yield to the need of those to whom his movement was ministering, and deferring to the need of the movement in the American colonies rather than insisting on maintaining his own control and preferences over the clergy? As long as the non-negotiable authority of Scripture and the guidelines provided regarding conduct of ministry by those whom he and other trusted persons had trained were in place, it would be God’s responsibility for the outcomes, not John Wesley’s. Sometimes, relinquishing control is necessary and always trusting God for the outcome will bring blessings.
