Means of grace

Spiritual and communal practices are treated as ordinary channels of God's action.

84%

Confidence

Supportive

Contrary

Neutral

What it is: The means of grace are practices by which God ordinarily strengthens, awakens, and confirms the faith of disciples.

How the tradition understands it: They include prayer, Bible reading, fasting, worship, holy communion, Christian conference, works of piety, and works of mercy. They are not autonomous merits, but dispositions by which the community opens itself to divine grace.

Basis and context: The language of means of grace is one of the best-known Methodist contributions to Protestant spirituality.

Debates and variations: Methodist churches may emphasize different practices, but the basic idea of grace mediated by disciplines remains strong.

Supportive

Acts 2:42

methodism,bible,means-of-grace,community

Perseverance in teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayers.

Reference: Acts 2:42.
Content: The community perseveres in basic spiritual and communal practices.
Use in debate: It supports the means of grace, communal life, and Christian conferencing.

John Wesley, Sermon The Means of Grace

methodism,wesley,means-of-grace,spirituality

A classic sermon on ordinary practices of grace.

Reference: John Wesley, sermon The Means of Grace.
Content: The sermon defines and organizes practices through which Christians place themselves before the action of God.
Use in debate: It is a central source for practical Methodist spirituality.

UMC.org, Holy Communion

methodism,communion,umc,means-of-grace

An official explanation of communion in the United Methodist tradition.

Reference: UMC.org, What do I need to know about Holy Communion in the United Methodist Church?
Content: The text presents communion as a means of grace and discusses its regular and hospitable practice.
Use in debate: It is an important source for communion, means of grace, and the open table.

UMC.org, The Wesleyan Means of Grace

methodism,means-of-grace,umc,piety,mercy

An official text on the means of grace and their division into piety and mercy.

Reference: UMC.org, The Wesleyan Means of Grace.
Content: The material explains works of piety and works of mercy as practices through which God strengthens faith.
Use in debate: It is a central source for the means of grace and social holiness.