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Five Marks of a Methodist: The Fruit of a Living Faith
Five marks confirm our identity as genuine and fruitful followers of Christ:
1. A Methodist Loves God
2. A Methodist Rejoices in God
3. A Methodist Gives Thanks
4. A Methodist Prays Constantly
5. A Methodist Loves Others
This brief book, suitable for sharing with others, provides a meditation on each of these characteristics. Prayerfully apply them to your journey with Jesus. If you are part of the worldwide Methodist or Wesleyan family, these five marks will grant a greater knowledge and appreciation for why and how you follow Jesus. If you are located in another part of the body of Christ, you can emerge with a solid foundation to keep your spiritual house standing strong. Christians marked by these five habits, when taken together have character.
Each chapter ends with questions for reflection or discussion.
1. A Methodist Loves God
2. A Methodist Rejoices in God
3. A Methodist Gives Thanks
4. A Methodist Prays Constantly
5. A Methodist Loves Others
This brief book, suitable for sharing with others, provides a meditation on each of these characteristics. Prayerfully apply them to your journey with Jesus. If you are part of the worldwide Methodist or Wesleyan family, these five marks will grant a greater knowledge and appreciation for why and how you follow Jesus. If you are located in another part of the body of Christ, you can emerge with a solid foundation to keep your spiritual house standing strong. Christians marked by these five habits, when taken together have character.
Each chapter ends with questions for reflection or discussion.
80 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2015
32 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Steve Harper
32 books2 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Steve Harper is a retired seminary professor who taught in the disciplines of Spiritual Formation and Wesley Studies.
He is the author of sixteen books, and has co-authored thirteen others. You can see them here at his Amazon Author Page.
Dr. Harper and his wife, Jeannie, have been married since 1970. They live in Winter Springs, Florida. They have two grown children (John and Katrina) and three grandchildren (Zoe, Isaac, and James).
Across the years, Steve was a youth minister, evangelist, and pastor in the Northwest Texas Annual Conference. He served under appointment in that Annual Conference as an Elder for 33 years. The last eight years (2004-2012) he was a member of The Florida Annual Conference. He retired in July 2012.
Steve was the first person to be selected as a John Wesley Fellow by A Foundation for Theological Education (1977). He completed his PhD in Wesley Studies at Duke University (1981), with Dr. Frank Baker serving as the Chair of his doctoral committee.
Along the way, he has served in other ministries: Co-Founder with Jeannie of Shepherd's Care, a ministry to ministers (1993-1996), Executive Director of A Foundation for Theological Education (1993-1996), Dean of the Chapel and Director of the Pathways Initiative, a ministry to equip spiritual leaders, at The Upper Room in Nashville (1996-1998).
In 1998, he became the founding Vice President and Dean of the Florida-Dunnam Campus of Asbury Seminary. He retired as vice president in 2009, but continued to teach until his retirement on December 31, 2012.
His current ministry concentrates in writing, especially the
blog: Oboedire (www.oboedire.wordpress.com).
Steve Harper is a retired seminary professor who taught in the disciplines of Spiritual Formation and Wesley Studies.
He is the author of sixteen books, and has co-authored thirteen others. You can see them here at his Amazon Author Page.
Dr. Harper and his wife, Jeannie, have been married since 1970. They live in Winter Springs, Florida. They have two grown children (John and Katrina) and three grandchildren (Zoe, Isaac, and James).
Across the years, Steve was a youth minister, evangelist, and pastor in the Northwest Texas Annual Conference. He served under appointment in that Annual Conference as an Elder for 33 years. The last eight years (2004-2012) he was a member of The Florida Annual Conference. He retired in July 2012.
Steve was the first person to be selected as a John Wesley Fellow by A Foundation for Theological Education (1977). He completed his PhD in Wesley Studies at Duke University (1981), with Dr. Frank Baker serving as the Chair of his doctoral committee.
Along the way, he has served in other ministries: Co-Founder with Jeannie of Shepherd's Care, a ministry to ministers (1993-1996), Executive Director of A Foundation for Theological Education (1993-1996), Dean of the Chapel and Director of the Pathways Initiative, a ministry to equip spiritual leaders, at The Upper Room in Nashville (1996-1998).
In 1998, he became the founding Vice President and Dean of the Florida-Dunnam Campus of Asbury Seminary. He retired as vice president in 2009, but continued to teach until his retirement on December 31, 2012.
His current ministry concentrates in writing, especially the
blog: Oboedire (www.oboedire.wordpress.com).
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 12, 2024
What a great book. This book was written in 2015, before the breakup of the United Methodist church and all the misinformation that is out there on what United Methodist are about. I was fortunate enough to watch the videos that accompany each chapter through Amplify Media. These marks should not be specific to just United Methodists but for all Christians, no matter what denomination you belong. As the dust settles from those who parted for the Global Methodist, this would be a wonderful small group or church wide study to focus back on what we are blessed to do for the kingdom of God.
June 10, 2021
Básico y devocional
September 21, 2017
This book is the second in a series of studies by United Methodist authors intended to lead readers along the path of discipleship that was laid out by the founder of Methodism, John Wesley. This particular book draws from “The Character of a Methodist,” a document that Wesley wrote in 1742. United Methodist Pastor Steve Harper writes about the main points of this document in such a way to make it accessible to modern readers. This short, 60-page book can be read in one sitting or studied over six weeks with the accompanying DVD, leader guide, and participant character guide in a small group.
Harper describes the marks of Christian character that are foundational to living a fruitful life of faith. Although these marks could apply to any Christian, they are distinguishing marks of Methodism as it was lived by Wesley and other founding members of the Methodist movement. Each chapter begins with a quote from Wesley followed by a bible verse that gives direction for the mark. Each chapter ends with lines from a relevant hymn by Charles Wesley, John’s brother, and a few reflection questions.
First, a Methodist loves God and puts God first in all they do. In this chapter, Harper describes agape love, but a reader new to this term may not find the concept fully realized here. Second, a Methodist rejoices in God. This chapter explains the biblical concept of joy and why Christians should always be rejoicing. Third, a Methodist gives thanks. Similar to always being joyful is to always be thankful. No matter the circumstances, our hope is in God, and our joy and gratitude is our response to his constant love and presence. In this chapter, Harper introduces Wesley’s Saturday prayer focus on gratitude. Fourth, a Methodist prays constantly. Harper gives freedom in methods of prayer while also offering liturgical prayer as an option for those who prefer something more structured. Fifth, a Methodist loves others. Concluding with the second part of the Greatest Commandment, Harper encourages practice of spiritual disciplines to receive from God what we need to serve others gladly.
Harper concludes the book with a plea for Christian unity based on Wesley’s own intentions for reform, not the creation of a new denomination. They both insist that the Wesleyan way of discipleship is for all Christians.
Harper describes the marks of Christian character that are foundational to living a fruitful life of faith. Although these marks could apply to any Christian, they are distinguishing marks of Methodism as it was lived by Wesley and other founding members of the Methodist movement. Each chapter begins with a quote from Wesley followed by a bible verse that gives direction for the mark. Each chapter ends with lines from a relevant hymn by Charles Wesley, John’s brother, and a few reflection questions.
First, a Methodist loves God and puts God first in all they do. In this chapter, Harper describes agape love, but a reader new to this term may not find the concept fully realized here. Second, a Methodist rejoices in God. This chapter explains the biblical concept of joy and why Christians should always be rejoicing. Third, a Methodist gives thanks. Similar to always being joyful is to always be thankful. No matter the circumstances, our hope is in God, and our joy and gratitude is our response to his constant love and presence. In this chapter, Harper introduces Wesley’s Saturday prayer focus on gratitude. Fourth, a Methodist prays constantly. Harper gives freedom in methods of prayer while also offering liturgical prayer as an option for those who prefer something more structured. Fifth, a Methodist loves others. Concluding with the second part of the Greatest Commandment, Harper encourages practice of spiritual disciplines to receive from God what we need to serve others gladly.
Harper concludes the book with a plea for Christian unity based on Wesley’s own intentions for reform, not the creation of a new denomination. They both insist that the Wesleyan way of discipleship is for all Christians.
July 30, 2015
I thought this was a great little book! I did a "slow" read of it with my reading partner Kerry Bart - doing just one chapter a week - and glad we did it that way - although it could easily be a book you read in a couple of hours. It also made a great basis for a sermon series that is being appreciated by my congregation. Nothing new here - but good stuff to be reminded of!
March 13, 2017
This small book outlining the basics of John Wesley's cornerstones of Methodism is the perfect study book for small groups and Sunday School classes. Easy to read and digest it is the perfect tool for believers to read to understand more of Wesley's core beliefs.
July 13, 2017
Excellent summary of being a Methodist.
Actually an excellent summary on being a Christian.
Actually an excellent summary on being a Christian.
October 29, 2019
It helped me review the big picture of what it means to be a Christian, Methodist style.
July 9, 2019
Very short, simple book. A good starting place for talking about Methodism without a lot of reading involved.
December 16, 2021
Really good book on the heart of a Methodist and a disciple of Jesus, excellent source material from Wesley.
February 2, 2022
This is one of those books I *should* like, but it was as dry as sandpaper and I's still trying to recover from it.
August 26, 2025
For the love of God
Beautifully written book referencing Wesley's earlier writings on this subject. Good questions at end of each chapter. Very inspirational, highly recommend!
Beautifully written book referencing Wesley's earlier writings on this subject. Good questions at end of each chapter. Very inspirational, highly recommend!
November 28, 2015
A beautifully produced little volume reflecting on the 5 characteristics that John Wesley identified in his pamphlet "The Character of a Methodist" in response to criticism of the emerging Methodist movement. He wasn't claiming these as distinctive marks of Methodists but as key characteristics that should be exhibitted by any Christian, thus demonstrating that Methodism was thoroughly orthodox rather than a heterodox sect. My only criticism of this book is that it is light on the concrete application of these marks and how they might be reinforced, and that Steve Harper does not wrestle with some of the challenges that Wesley throws down regarding evangelism in the latter part of his pamphlet. If anything this, in Wesley's eyes was the distinctive in contemporary Methodism (as opposed to the then established church), and may be a greater challenge to Methodism today. If anything contemporary Methodism (on both sides of the Atlantic) is largely indistinguishable from other mainstream Christian traditions, with people moving freely back and forward across denominational boundaries. So the need to prove that Methodism is orthodox is not there... To argue for the imperative to evangelise out of the last of the "marks", our love of others... that may be where the work needs to be done. What does that look like in the 21st century rather than Wesley's 18th?
February 3, 2017
This is a short book packed with inspiration and words of wisdom from John Wesley. With scripture and quotes from other people and John Wesley's explanations about a relationship with God, I found clarity in the midst of Trump craziness. God calls us to love people we don't know, people whose lives we don't approve of, even our enemies. This is agape love that is not given based on the nature of the receiver but because of the nature of the giver. No building of walls or denying refugees entrance to our country. But we are also called to love Donald Trump. For me, this can only be done through the Grace of God.
July 6, 2015
Quick read--little book---packs lots of inspiration and insight into one of John Wesley's Sermons--The Character of a Methodist. Would recommend it to not only other persons with the Wesleyan/Methodist tradition but to all persons of the Christian faith. Will probably re-read at some point to help shape my growth as a Christian.
August 30, 2015
This book is an excellent resource not only for Methodist members. It contains information that is good for all Christians & anyone trying to better understand the importance of having a relationship with God.
September 19, 2015
Used in a class setting. Good book on a subject of Wesley's ideas.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews