Transformation vs. Information
To be discipled means to become like someone. Rather than focusing on passing on information, discipleship at Croswell FMC is focused on the life-giving transformation of the Holy Spirit through intentional and transformational relationships.
Band Meetings
The ongoing success of the Methodist revival in the mid 1700’s can primarily be traced to the infrastructure of discipleship that was established to see ongoing and advancing holiness in the lives of those involved. To be apart of a Band Group was not just to be in a small group where you got together, hung out, talked about life and did a little bit of Bible study. Rather, these
groups where intensely transparent opportunities to build trust and to love and aid the other in their Christian life, seeing how the Holy Spirit was working and calling them further into God’s perfect and holy love that seeks to make us transformed and looking like Jesus, going out being bold ambassadors of His Kingdom.
FAQ
The following “Rules for the Band-Societies” were drawn up by John Wesley on December 25, 1738.
The design of our meeting is, to obey that command of God, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.”
To this end, we intend –
- To meet once a week, at the least.
- To come punctually at the hour appointed, without some extraordinary reason.
- To begin (those of us who are present) exactly at the hour, with singing or prayer.
- To speak each of us in order, freely and plainly, the true state of our souls, with the faults we have committed in thought, word, or deed, the temptations we have felt, since our last meeting.
- To end every meeting with prayer, suited to the state of each person present.
- To desire some person among us to speak his own state first, and then to ask the rest, in order, as many and as searching questions as may be, concerning their state, sins, and temptations.
Band groups are always same gendered, and have the promise and expectation of privacy and honoring the dignity of all other members by keeping in confidence what is disclosed during their band meeting.
- Have you the forgiveness of your sins?
- Have you peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ?
- Have you the witness of God’s Spirit with your spirit, that you are a child of God?
- Is the love of God shed abroad in your heart?
- Has no sin, inward or outward, dominion over you?
- Do you desire to be told of your faults?
- Do you desire to be told of all your faults, and that plain and home?
- Do you desire that every one of us should tell you, from time to time, whatsoever is in his heart concerning you?
- Consider! Do you desire we should tell you whatsoever we think, whatsoever we fear, whatsoever we hear, concerning you?
- Do you desire that, in doing this, we should come as close as possible, that we should cut to the quick, and search your heart to the bottom?
- Is it your desire and design to be on this, and all other occasions, entirely open, so as to speak everything that is in your heart without exception, without disguise, and without reserve?
Any of the preceding questions may be asked as often as occasion offers; the four following at every meeting: —
- What known sins have you committed since our last meeting?
- What temptations have you met with?
- How were you delivered?
- What have you thought, said, or done, of which you doubt whether it be sin or not?