Methodist Trust Clause: Why and History

The “Trust Clause” has nothing to do about property and everything to do with understanding God’s authority in the world.  John Wesley related the following in the Case of Birstall House:

I built the first Methodist preaching-house so called at Bristol, in the year 1739. And knowing no better, I suffered the Deed of Trust to be drawn up in the Presbyterian form.  But Mr. Whitefield hearing of it, wrote me a warm letter, asking, "Do you consider what you do? If the trustees are to name the preachers, they may exclude even you from preaching in the house you have built. Pray let this deed be immediately canceled." To this the trustees readily agreed. Afterwards I built the preaching-houses in Kingswood, and at Newcastle on Tyne. But none beside myself had any right to appoint the preachers in them.

The question of authority is the common reason behind any local church discerning disaffiliation.  It has nothing to do with sexuality issues,  accountability of leaders, doctrinal changes, Wesleyan orthodoxy, economics or any other distraction.   It is the common thread across all new Methodist movements.

It is said that Wesley was NOT in favor of democracy as a means of establishing doctrines and the trust clause was the means to find balance in the abuses of power: between papal infallibility and trustees running amuck.  The following picture illustrates the balance that Methodism has brought to our world on the question of authority. 

It is about relationships, stupid.   Hierarchical structures claim God speaks to a single person at the top and all authority flows down thru the body. It is by adherence to the authority of superiors that God's will is done. Authority flows globally according to the hierarchy. 

Congregational structures establish God’s authority in the leaders of the local church.  While such local churches connect for fellowship and to share principles, no authority is given to the higher levels of the connections.

Our Methodist history:  “MR. WESLEY'S TRUST CLAUSE: METHODISM IN THE VERNACULAR” by John Leo Topolewski, UMC Archives paper, PDF.

Methodists seek balance.  A balance that has emerged through a connectional network established as a Wesleyan principle of connectionalism.   In our Methodist history language and world events come together to formulate our current trust clause.   Key through it all is balance.  Balancing democratic authority with Bishop authority.   Balancing lay and clergy authority and all sorts of other demographic influences on authority. 

Why the “Trust Clause”.   To hold both hierarchy and congregational authorities in balance and to protect against the extreme abuses from sources of power (trustees/Bishops).   So when we question the Trust Clause we are really seeking to move towards gaining “some” level of authority that can’t be checked.   Therein is God’s dilemma for all united methodist.   If you don’t like the actions of authorities (local/big) - have patience, trust in the Lord and see what Spirit will do to balance it all.

Sources:

1.   “MR. WESLEY'S TRUST CLAUSE: METHODISM IN THE VERNACULAR” by John Leo Topolewski, UMC Archives paper, PDF.

2. Reference every use of “connect” within the Methodist Book of Discipline.  (487 references)

3. Various other sources.