My Parish

"The world is my Parish" John Wesley a famous Anglican minister said this phrase. Now Wesley's ministry was very biased and somewhat strict, however I have to say this phrase struck me. You may be thinking what the heck is a Parish? I tried answering this question in class and was completely wrong...I try to be smart.

A parish by definition is: an ecclesiastical district having it's own church and member of the clergy. Well Mr. Wesley wanted to preach, and different "members of the clergy" kept telling him he couldn't preach in such and such a place because they already had a parish, which meant they had their own established church and clergymen. So Wesley, frustrated and just wanting to preach the word of God, made the statement "The world is my Parish". By this he meant that wherever God sent him he would preach no matter if there was a parish there or not.

I guess in thinking about ministry as a missionary you kind of have to have this mindset. Just finish the statement with something relevant to today "The world is my ______". I guess the first thing about my future ministry I would say "The world is my classroom" so I think there are two aspects to my phrase. The second I think would be "The world is my small group". As funny as that sounds, small groups that are established in churches are there to become very close to one another and help each other. Granted it is impossible to become close and help everyone in the world the way I would want too, but I think it still applies. There are leaders in small groups, I aspire to be the leader at least for as long as God wants me to take position of leader.

I just thought it was interesting although I don't agree with a lot of what Wesley did in his ministry, I respect him for first being willing to above anything else spread the word of God. Secondly, for seeing that preaching the gospel is not made for man to legislate but for God to designate. Thanks for the tidbit Wesley.

All to God.