The Band Meeting: Rediscovering Relational Discipleship in Transformational Community

by Kevin M. Watson, Scott T. Kisker

The stunning success of early Methodism as a disciple-making movement was made possible because of John Wesley’s genius in organizing believers into band meetings. This book powerfully demonstrates that the band meeting is not merely another church program, but is ultimately the basic transformational community that enables us to be “saved to the uttermost.” In our age of digital disconnection, we need Christian practices of community more than ever, as well as a clear sense of what “social holiness” actually is and why it matters. In The Band Meeting, two of the best theological minds have collaborated to help recover true social holiness through the band meeting. This volume is clear and readable, historically informed, and theologically rich.

Genres: Theology, Church

154 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 8, 2017

Reviews

[Kyle Inman · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a whole, an essential read and great resource for Christian orthopraxy, detailing the freedom to be found therein.

My main critique: coming from a Wesleyan, I think we sometimes harp a little too much on Wesley and his theology. I think dedicating 3 chapters (60 pages of 160) to Wesleyan theology is a potential barrier in accessibility! This book could’ve been much shorter, more concise, and still communicated what the authors wanted. Though I believe a chapter should’ve been dedicated to the theology and where it came from, as it is essential in understanding the mindset of bands, I firmly believe it starts to sound Wesley-centered rather than Christ centered at a point.

That being said, I would consider this a must-read until a better resource on the subject is available - perhaps an updated and refined version, as I do appreciate Kevin and Scott’s articulation. I especially appreciated dedicating the whole last chapter to a spectrum of testimonials. Worth the read, no doubt!

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband teaches a Wesleyan theology course for our denomination and I recommended this book to him as a good, accessible primer on some of the basic of historic Wesleyan thought and practice, particularly as Wesley's emphasis on sanctification manifested in the class and band structure. In reflection, it seems like such a foreign practice to the church today. Personally, having been 'burned' but inappropriate sharing and implicit and explicit demands for vulnerability in Christian community the idea of a 'confessional group' seems to be something I can appreciate the need for even as I think it would be a long road to get myself to the place where this is something I would willingly find myself a part of. Watson and Kisker do however, try their best to get me there. I appreciate the simplicity of their arguments and I do think this sort of rigorous community is something that needs to be reclaimed, particularly by Wesleyan tradition churches. I do think in culture at large and within the Protestant church this idea is completely counter-intuitive to our abhorrence of 'mediated' confession of sin or the acknowledgement of shortcomings in general with an emphasis on privacy and self-determination. I think the better part of discernment will be created the cultures of trust within faith communities that will make these kind of customs attainable.

[Rebekah Graff · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I really enjoyed this book, I think there were a few places that missed the mark, such as the separation of women and men in bands, as well as potential power dynamics in bands. Because this book was published seven years ago, I wonder if the authors would potentially add any further thoughts.

I also thought the testimony chapter at the end was not necessary, and a few of the people selected to give testimonies were questionable.

[Josh Sweeney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read a book about John Wesley’s Holiness Clubs instead. These guys have an archaic mindset that is missing the fundamental voices from all people being in a space together. Separating people because it’s too uncomfortable to talk about pornography with women in the room is not making space to hear from women about their truth. That is one poor example and I could keep going.

[Brandon Boyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid book on discipleship. The first half of the book deals with a Wesleyan view of the Christian life. That part was helpful indeed, but also felt like material added to make the rest of the book long enough. The second half of the book deals with the background and mechanics of accountability groups, rooted in the Wesleyan-Methodist tradition. This part of the book was sold and useful.

[Missyjohnson1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

We should all have a group that we can be completely authentic with. Everyone should have an opportunity to answer the questions put forth by John Wesley and the original bands.

[Tobin Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

With every string of my heart I wish I could ignore this book. I musn’t.