Something Happens Here: Reclaiming the Distinctiveness of Wesley’s Communion Spirituality in Times of Divisiveness

by Stephen P. West, Don E. Saliers (Foreword)

The United Methodist Church is at a crossroads, and nothing is more important than reclaiming our sacramental distinctiveness in times of great divisiveness. This book takes a fresh look at Wesley’s core teachings on the Lord’s Supper, letting each unique feature of Wesley's communion theology become a lens to navigate troubled waters. The author explores the historical background of each characteristic, finds evidence in writings of John and Charles Wesley, and applies them to the struggles of present-day United Methodism. He concludes with signs of life emerging in divisive and uncertain times, as people come back to the table to move forward into the future.

191 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 23, 2022

Reviews

[Warren Hamby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Communion Will Never Be the Same!

How do you experience Holy Communion? Perhaps it is an uneventful habit of following the liturgy, receiving a piece of bread, and taking a cup of wine or juice. You remind yourself that Jesus was crucified for your salvation, that the bread represents how He gave His body, and the wine symbolizes his blood shed for you. And then you sing the last song or hymn and go to your Sunday dinner. Familiar?


John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, maintains it is much more than that. The people of the early church, including those who wrote the Scriptures pertaining to the Sacrament, experienced it as much more. The title of the book I recently read, Something Happens Here, says it all. We should experience the very presence of Christ in the Sacrament, and the event of His sacrifice should come alive to us in a very special way!


To explain this, West goes deep into the sermons and hymns of John and Charles Wesley, looks at the church and political history of the time they were living, and looks at the stories in the Bible of the Last Supper as told by the writers of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and Paul’s letters.


I think that the strongest point West makes is that to Wesley, Holy Communion is not just a symbol or a duty but a means of Grace, the grand channel of Grace—that is, Christ is actually present in it, and there is a power that is there regardless of the celebrant’s awareness of it. Perhaps that is why Wesley served Communion to anyone, including nonbelievers.

So what is Holy Communion? First, it involves the presence of Christ. The very power of His death and Resurrection are there.


Second, the sacrament is not an individual but a community thing. It knits us together as we share a presence that brings all to a Table that spans the globe. This is so important in an America that is being torn apart by culture wars that have infected the church.


Third, Communion is where we experience anew Jesus’ offering of His body and blood for us. In other words, we don’t just remember—the phrase in Scripture translated as “in remembrance” actually means to come alive anew for us.


Fourth, as we experience Christ’s pouring Himself out for us, we are actually nurtured and moved toward being more like Him, a process that Wesley called “sanctifying grace.” As often as we celebrate the sacrament, we are so often renewed, and Wesley believed in celebrating it frequently.


Finally, Communion offers us a foretaste of Christ’s heavenly banquet—indeed, a preview of our eventual dwelling with Him in Heaven.


West discusses how the United Methodist Communion liturgy reflects the points Wesley made concerning what Communion should be.


In the concluding chapters, West argues that what the church must do today, in the face of divisions and schisms, is to reconnect to the mystery of the Table, a spiritual community that transcends peoples’ differences. This is difficult considering how we have let divisive political and theological issues infect our fellowship. West suggests, “The desire to be right has overwhelmed our desire to be in relationship with each other.” He cites the author John Phillip Newell as saying that “Christianity is reaching the end of one of the natural cycles of its existence.” Newell calls for “a radical reorientation of our vision.”


All of this sounded very exciting to me, yet very overwhelming. Wesley’s teaching about what Communion is supposed to be is difficult to learn, since I, like so many Christians, am accustomed to treating it as something routine and a duty. I wonder, how can I make all of this real to me? I’m sure many readers will ask this question, and my answer is to go from this reading to looking deep within one’s self to find creative new ways to experience Communion. One example—for several years my wife and I have taken Communion to a lady in a local nursing home. We have taken her one pre-packaged wafer and juice, and we have read the liturgy with her while she partook of the elements. We realized we were missing something. So we now take three pre-packages, and we all three experience it together. The Table. The community. The Body. But it must begin with individual believers who want to work to rebuild the community and re-focus the church on love, in relationships with each other, and in our relationship with God.

[George Donigian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Something Happens Here. West states a clear thesis about the sacrament of Holy Communion in his title and subtitle and then plumbs the liturgy to show the depth of spirituality often overlooked by many in congregational life. Participating in the sacrament connects us with others who follow Christ, though we may not agree on every point of belief, and continually shapes and transforms participants. This study of the sacrament would help the ministry of many congregations.

“Real presence is experienced here. Fresh renewal takes place here. Depth of love emerges in us over time, and authentic community is shaped by our glimpse of heaven. The experience of Holy Communion is both intensely personal and significantly corporate.” (West, p.140)

West offers personal anecdotes that help us see the sacrament and its liturgy as if through a prism. I very much appreciate the inclusion of many Wesleyan hymns as a means of exploration and formation.

I envision use of Something Happens Here as a congregational or small-group study. For that use, the inclusion of questions for processing the material or for further reflection would be helpful.

[Kyle Vanover · Rating 4 out of 5]

West does an excellent job of highlighting various themes in Wesley’s Eucharistic theology and explaining how they are represented in hymns and liturgy. Sadly, in each chapter he decides to use these emphases to cast aspersions on those who interpret Scripture from a theologically conservative perspective, and I believe he wildly mischaracterizes those who feel that the United Methodist Church is becoming too progressive. I do appreciate the opportunity to better understand where others are coming from, though.

[Andrew Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book both thoughtful and encouraging. There is a lot of division around us, so the idea of looking again at Communion as a place where people can come together really spoke to me. I also enjoyed seeing how the writings of John and Charles Wesley were connected to what is happening in the church today. It gave me a fresh way to think about something I have known for a long time.

Jesus is Lord

[Robbin Hanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful look at Wesley's theology of Holy Communion and its relevance to the divisions facing the United Methodist Church today. Stephen P. West does a great job connecting history with practical application, showing how the communion table can be a place of grace, unity, and renewal. It's more theological than devotional, but well worth reading for anyone interested in Wesleyan thought.

[Francescamwangi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came into this book thinking it would mostly be a study of Wesley's views on the Lord's Supper. It was that, but it felt like more than that too. It made me think about unity, grace, and what it means to share a table with people you may not always agree with. That really stood out to me. A timely book, and honestly, a needed one.

[Alejandro Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It made me slow down and think about Communion in a deeper way. I knew some things about Wesley's teachings before, but I had never really thought about how much they could speak to the church today. The part about coming back to the table stayed with me. In a time when so many people are divided, that message feels important.

[James Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a thoughtful and meaningful read. I liked that it was not only about history. The author brings Wesley's ideas into the struggles the United Methodist Church is facing right now, and that made the book feel very timely. Some parts made me stop and think for a while. I finished the book feeling more hopeful than I expected.

[Liam Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came to this book hoping for clear answers. I left a bit unsure. The author goes deep into Wesley’s history. It was detailed and sometimes hard to follow. I did like the parts about communion bringing people together, but other parts felt slow. It had interesting ideas, but it might not be for everyone.

[Suzanne Ferrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I found most compelling was the way the author uses different aspects of Wesley’s communion theology as lenses for understanding the challenges facing the church. It gave me several things to reflect on

[Sanjeev Jain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a refreshing perspective on Wesley's teachings, showing how Holy Communion can bring hope and unity during difficult times. Well-researched, insightful, and easy to follow, it's an excellent read for anyone interested in Methodist theology or church renewal.

[Cate Muriuki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good and interesting book about Wesley, Communion, and what it all means for the church today. I especially liked how the author connected old teachings with things people are dealing with now. It is a book that gives you something to think about after you put it down.

[Peter Kelvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt like a talk from a friendly pastor. It talks about communion in ways I could share with friends at church. I liked the real examples of love and unity around the table. Some parts were a bit heavy, but I still found it helpful for church groups.

[James Osula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love history and theology. I enjoyed the detailed look at Wesley’s writings. It was like a clear class about communion and church history. Sometimes it got a bit dense, but the author explained ideas clearly. I learned a lot and have many things to think about now.

[Henry Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt like it was written just for me. Communion has always been important to my family. Reading this gave me new hope. It talks about loving others even when we don’t agree. That message hit me hard. I felt encouraged and even closer to my church as I read it.

[André Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a hopeful read! It paints a picture of a future church that comes back together at the Communion table. I love the idea that small acts of love can help heal big problems. It made me feel excited and full of hope for what’s ahead.

[Sandy West · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated my deeper understanding of Holy Communion after reading this book. Steve connects Wesley’s theology with historic understandings, and applies that to life today. This book offers an authentic way to engage with others and the issues of today.