We lost the culture...Why?

Several years ago my friend Frank took a walking tour in London that ended up at Wesley’s chapel. As the tour group approached the chapel the guide said, “The 18^th century in Britain was Wesley’s century.  He influenced how we thought and how we acted, he influenced the entire culture.” That is an incredible statement: one man, or more accurately a particular group of people, was a major influence in the most powerful country on earth. Wow!

He said, "I don’t know what the others on the tour expected Wesley’s chapel to look like. But I remember the first time that I saw it, I was shocked." It is very modest to say the least, in fact it is both small and stark! The Wesley’s chapel is the total opposite from both the magnificent European Cathedrals and the kind of facilities that church growth experts in the 21^st century America would recommend. (Wesley had two chapels, one in London and one in Bristol, both are small and modest).

Wesley’s chapels may have been simple; but they were epicenters for a massive penetration of British culture by the Christian faith. The Wesleyans of 18^th century had few resources in terms of facilities, schools or wealthy members, and yet they deeply penetrated their culture.  The Protestants of 21^th century America, on the other hand, lost their culture despite having enormous resources. Why? Later this week I will give you at least two reason.