Methodist Circuit Riders 11/02/26

Methodist Circuit Riders

November 2, 2026

        When Tommie asked me on Friday if I would be willing to share a message today because of the need to change the program, I asked her what topic she would like. And she said, “well, Election Day is coming up but you probably shouldn’t talk about politics.”

     But after thinking about it, I just knew that you would at least want me to share a few political dad-jokes to at least started.

     So here we go. Political dad-jokes.

     The opposite of pro is con, so the opposite of progress is congress.

     How many politicians does it take to fix a flat tire? None. They’re all afraid of inflation.

     A man said to his friend one day, “two years ago, my brother ran for congress.” The friend asked him, “Well, what does he do now?” And the man replied, “nothing because he got elected.”

     How do you begin a politically incorrect joke? You begin the joke by saying, “President Ben Franklin walks into a bar…”

     Do you know why fish are so political? They’re always taking the debate.

     So, Tommie, thank you for planting that idea and for casting your vote to elect me as your Speaker of the Church today. Actually, the topic I decided to talk about today does have a slight connection with politics.

     I want to talk about one of the greatest of all of the 19th century Methodist Circuit Rider preachers, Rev. Peter Cartwright. Circuit Riders were preachers who rode on horseback from town to town to visit churches who were part of their circuit. And they would do this every year on a quarterly basis where they preached, administered the Sacraments, and offered spiritual support and guidance.

     That’s how the Methodist church grew so rapidly in the 1800s. It was because of all of these circuit riders who would travel from town to town to start new Methodist congregations. One of my churches in Ohio got its start because of Peter Cartwright back in 1806.

     He was a circuit riding preacher in Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois where he ended up spending the rest of his life. In fact, he was the founding member of the Illinois Conference of the Methodist Church back in 1824.

     Born in Virginia in 1785, his family moved to Kentucky. When he was a teenager, he was converted at a Methodist camp meeting in 1801 and the following year he became a Methodist preacher and was ordained in 1806 by Francis Asbury who was the Methodist Bishop in America.

     He served as a military chaplain during the War of 1812. He got involved in Illinois politics as well and ended up losing to Abraham Lincoln for a seat in the US congress in 1846.

     Cartwright was a Jacksonian Democrat during his political career who was always seeking to support the rights of the common man. And fun little piece of political trivia, it was during the presidential campaign of 1828 when the political opponents of Andrew Jackson made fun of his populist views by labeling him a jackass. And Jackson decided to embrace the insult which is how the donkey has become the symbol of the Democrat Party to this day.

     The elephant became the Republican Party symbol during Abraham Lincoln’s 1860 presidential campaign to portray a symbol of strength.

     But back to the circuit rider, Peter Cartwright. While there were many Methodist circuit riders during the 1800s, Peter Cartwright stands out for a couple of reasons. First of all, he was a very dynamic, outspoken, and energetic preacher. Like other Methodist circuit riders, he would ride horseback for several hours taking only a bible, a hymnal, and a copy of the Methodist discipline and he would visit the churches on his circuit.

     Circuit riders would often be assigned a massive geographical area spanning 200 to 500 miles in circumference. They would ride through storms, dangerous frontier terrain and made a very meager salary while doing it. Many didn’t make it past age 30 and most remained single. A well known saying during that time by people who lived in the frontier was, “There is nothing out today but crows and Methodist preachers.”

     The second reason for Peter Cartwright being well known is that he is known for an autobiography that he wrote called, “The Backwoods Preacher” which was published in 1856. You can get a free copy on Amazon. I read it several years ago and I’m planning on reading it again thanks to this topic today.

     It’s a really fun read because he shares lots of stories of his adventures. There are stories of him preaching at Methodist camp meetings which were known as the social hub of that time period. Hundreds of people would attend the camp meetings even if they didn’t care about religion because it was where you could meet people.

     Peter Cartwright shares about times when he would be preaching the gospel and there would be people who were up to no good who would disrupt the service, and he would have to go and track them down often getting physically hurt as a result. Not only were Methodist preachers leading the services, but they would also have to be their own bodyguards as well.

     I want to close with one of my favorite stories from his autobiography. It’s about a time when he was conducting camp meetings in Illinois where he spent the remaining years of his ministry.  He was riding his horse when he came up to two men and a lady who were riding in a wagon.  They were from Ohio. 

     They were shouting out religious phrases as if they had just been to one of the Methodist camp meetings.  They shouted out phrases like, “Glory to God!! Glory to God!! Hallelujah!! Another sinner 's down!! Glory to God! Hallelujah!! Glory!! Hallelujah!”

     At first, Peter Cartwright thought that they were simply celebrating their newfound faith that they had experienced at one of these Methodist tent meetings.  But as he got closer and closer to their wagon, it became apparent to him that they were being sarcastic by shouting out these phrases and they were actually making fun of him.

     When he realized this, he shouted back at them and told them to cease their insults and to instead repent and turn to Christ. But they continued their sarcasm by shouting out even louder, “Glory to God! Glory to God! Hallelujah!! Another sinner’s down!! Glory to God! Hallelujah!! Glory!! Hallelujah!”

     To make matters worse, Peter’s horse was up in years and he wasn’t able to get around their wagon so he had to endure their insults for quite a while.  When he tried to pass them, they would crack the whip and were able to stay in front of him.

     Thinking that he was destined to be tormented by these Ohio heathens for the remainder of his ride, he remembered that there was a mud-hole about a quarter of a mile ahead that they probably wouldn’t notice since it was difficult to see.  The locals knew to avoid that part of the road entirely since wagons were known to sink into the mud and tip over.

     Peter Cartwright managed to get ahead of their wagon and not wanting him to get ahead of them, they sped up and were traveling at a good speed.  And sure enough, the plan worked.  Not seeing the deep mud-pit, the wagon hit it just right and it tilted into the soft mud as Peter continued to ride safely ahead. 

     Here’s the rest of the story as told word for word by Peter Cartwright in his autobiography:

  The young lady was dressed in white, and as the wagon went over, she sprang as far as she could, and lighted on all fours; her hands sunk into the mud up to her armpits, her mouth and the whole of her face immersed in the muddy water, and she certainly would have strangled if the young men had not relieved her.

     As they helped her up and out, I had wheeled my horse to see the fun. I rode up to the edge of the mud, stopped my horse, reared in my stirrups, and shouted at the top of my voice, "Glory to God! Glory to God! Hallelujah! Another sinner's down! Glory to God! Hallelujah! Glory! Hallelujah!" Peter Cartwright goes on to write,

     “If ever mortals felt mean, these youngsters did; and well they might; for they had carried on all this sport to make light of religion, and to insult a minister, a total stranger to them. But they condemned religion, and hated the Methodists, especially Methodist preachers. When I became tired of shouting over them, I said to them, ‘Now, you poor, dirty, mean sinners, take this as a just judgment of God upon you for your meanness, and repent of your dreadful wickedness; and let this be the last time that you attempt to insult a Methodist preacher.’”

     I tell this story, not to say that we should repay evil for evil, but to show that these early Methodists were not received very well by a lot of people.  Add in that they were doing all of this out there in the wilderness and the wild frontier, and it’s truly amazing to think of all that they were able to accomplish. 

     Sometimes, when I get in my SUV to run an errand or drive to a church, I think of this description of what those early Methodist preachers endured in the wild frontier over two hundred years ago. 

     “Methodist preachers went from fort to fort, from camp to camp, from tent to tent, from cabin to cabin, with or without road or path.  We walked on dirt floors for carpets, sat on stools or benches for chairs, ate on puncheon tables, had forked sticks and pocket, or butcher knives for knives and forks, slept on bear, deer, or buffalo skins before the fire, or sometimes on the ground in open air for downy beds, had our saddles, or saddle bags for pillows instead of pillows of feathers, and one new suit of clothes of homespun was ample clothing for one year for an early Methodist preacher in the west.

     We crossed creeks and large rivers without bridges or ferry boats, often swam them on horseback, or crossed on trees that had fallen over the streams, drove our horses over, and often waded out waist deep; and if by chance we got a dug-out or a canoe; to cross in ourselves and swim our horses by, it was quite a treat.”

   Today, let’s raise a toast to those 19th century Methodist Circuit riders for their incredible dedication and willingness to spread the good news of Jesus Christ near and far.

     Let us pray: O Lord, thank you for those early preachers who you called and sent to share the good news of Jesus. Thank you for people in our lives who have shared their faith with us. And may be also share the good news of Christ in all that we say and do. In the name of Jesus, we offer this prayer. Amen.

Sunday (August 30) Pastoral Prayer

 August 30, 2026

Beulah UMC

Thank you for this sweet hour of prayer, O God. Thank you for this sweet “hymn sing Sunday.” Thank you for this sweet congregation who have been such a blessing to Penny and me over these past three years. Thank you for how they have accepted us Yankees from the north and welcomed us with open arms.

 

Thank you for our Sunday mornings together, our bible studies, our Big Grab events, incredible potluck meals, fun hot dog meals which I’ve always relished, our Holy Week services, learning my new favorite hymn, “Beulah Land,” decorating the church for Christmas, getting to know the nursing homes and hospitals in Columbia, comforting one another at funerals, having the church pray for our dog, Blu when she had her leg surgery, and being able to drive on our awesome new church parking lot. For all of this and many, many other blessings, I can only say with today’s psalmist, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me to express” and “surely, the presence of the Lord is in this place.”

 

And thank you for this sweet hour of prayer in which we have the privilege of lifting up to you our prayer needs including the people on our church’s prayer list as well as the many other joys and concerns that have been spoken and unspoken. We pray that your healing, comforting, guiding, and empowering presence would surround each of these persons and needs.

 

During this sweet hour of prayer and this time of pastoral transition, we pray for the new pastor who will begin serving here. Thank you for being a God of new beginnings and new opportunities for ministries and service in your name. May this church continue to bear fruit as new seeds will be planted for the sake of your kingdom.

 

Just as we have been singing hymns this morning as if we have one voice, we now join in one voice in praying the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray together…

 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Sermon (August 23) “The Ultimate Question” by Rev. Robert McDowell

August 23, 2026

Beulah UMC

      Someone went to a rabbi and asked him, “Why do you always answer a question by asking another question?  I just find that very annoying!”

     And the very wise rabbi answered, “What’s wrong with asking questions?”

     You would think that Jesus would have asked the disciples who they thought he was a lot sooner in his ministry.  We find this question in Matthew 16, well into Jesus' ministry with his disciples.

     Here, these twelve individuals left everything to follow him, and yet, this question presumes that they just might not have a grasp as to who he is.

     How can that be?

     There are a lot of different ways of answering who Jesus is.  Some folks would give you a long, drawn-out answer that will make you wish you never asked the question to begin with.

     “Who is Jesus?”  Well according to the Nicene creed, he is the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made and it goes on and on.

     And certainly, there is some validity to answering this question with theological language which explains how Jesus Christ can be fully God and yet fully human at the same time.  The early church spent many years reflecting on this ultimate question which is why we have these ancient creeds.

     But the disciples did not have the advantage of this kind of reflection.  They were always on the move with Jesus.  And they, along with so many other people, were astonished at his miracles and the way he was able to teach great crowds of people with authority.  They knew that Jesus was a very special person.

     And they also knew from their time spent with him, that he was the promised Messiah.  The promised one who would hopefully free Israel from Roman occupation.  They saw him as a miracle worker who would perhaps lead the people of Israel into the glory days of old.

     Here in chapter 16 of Matthew’s Gospel, the disciples are with Jesus in Caesarea Philippi, and Jesus actually asks the disciples two questions, not just one.  The first question he asks is -  “What are other people saying about me?”

     And they tell Jesus what they have been hearing.  “Some people think that you are John the Baptist. Others think that you are one of the prophets from of old.”

     There are an incredible number of opinions out there about Jesus.   It would be an interesting little project to go to some place where there are a lot of people and ask them the question, “Tell me who Jesus is to you?”

     But Jesus doesn’t want his disciples to settle for what other people are saying about him.  Jesus also wants to know what they are thinking.  And he asks them, “But who do you say that I am?”

     Actually, I’m a bit surprised that Peter was able to give the right answer.  Peter says, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

     It’s one thing to give the answer.  It’s another thing to live the answer. To say that we believe that Jesus is the Messiah, means that we are to love our enemies.  It means that we are to forgive others when they hurt us. It means that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves.

     Jesus also said things like, “Woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.  Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.” Jesus was crucified on a cross for saying things like this. 

     And what about the time that Jesus said to “Go and sell everything you have and give it to the poor” and if someone forces you to go one mile, go two.

     As the humorist, Mark Twain once said, “It’s not the things in the Bible that I don’t understand that bother me.  It’s the things that I do understand that bother me the most.” Sometimes, I wish that Jesus was more mysterious or cryptic in his teachings.  

     Almost every Sunday that I worship with you in this place, I hear something in the scripture reading that reminds me that I have so much more to learn about who Jesus is and what it means to follow him.

     I suppose that we could simply ignore all of these hard sayings and just focus on whatever is appealing to us at the time.  We certainly have the option of forming Jesus into our own image and many people do.

     There are people who associate Jesus with their political party or within their particular worldview. But that’s not the way of Jesus.  “Narrow is the way into my Father’s kingdom,” Jesus tells us.

     No.  We are left with Jesus’ troubling question.  “Who do you say that I am?”

     I much prefer the Nicene Creed response to that question.  The theology is orthodox and it really says it all.

     Except…it’s not in my own words.  Jesus says to Robert McDowell – “I know what the Nicene Creed says…but who do you say that I am?”

     Well first and foremost, for me, he is everything that I want to be and strive to be. Someone who loves God and their neighbor with all of their heart, mind, soul, and strength. Someone who embodies what the Apostle Paul referred to as the “fruit of the spirit” which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

     When I think of who Jesus is, this is what comes to mind especially during those days when I’m irritated with the slow traffic, or treated unfairly by someone, or feeling misunderstood, or I’m just too lazy to make a little extra effort to brighten someone’s day. It’s these moments that remind me who Jesus is.

     Whenever I read the Gospels and reflect on how Jesus treated people through his teachings, his healings, and the situations he faced during his ministry, it always points me to the kind of human being God wants me to be and the kind of human being we are all called to be.

     This understanding of who Jesus leads me to this 2nd understanding of who Jesus is. Jesus is not only my example. He is also my Savior. His death on the cross absorbed all of the pain and brokenness of this world so that we can be made whole again.

     I love the phrase that we say every time we receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. “Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.”

     Jesus isn’t just my example. He’s my Savior. That’s who Jesus is to me.

     I’m still learning and discovering who Jesus is though. Every day and every year and every new situation provides another opportunity for us to put Jesus first in our lives and place our trust in him. When we do that on a consistent basis, Jesus becomes more than just a warm fuzzy in our lives. Jesus becomes real. Our faith becomes real.

     I’m always interested in hearing how people view Jesus and what Jesus means to them. Hear are some responses that people have shared with me over the years which I have written down and now share with you.

     Someone said to me, “Jesus is the calm, eternal center of life. I go to him in times of distress to find peace. I pray to him to restore balance. I ask him to give me clarity in the times of confusion. He is the anchor and the seabed in the tempest-tossed waters. He blesses me again and again.”

     Someone shared said that Jesus is like a compass through life. I like that. That shows a willingness to allow Jesus to guide and direct us through our faith journey.

     Another said that Jesus is like a rock, a sword, and a shield. For this person, Jesus provides safety and security.

     I like how someone referred to Jesus as a lighthouse. We need that lighthouse because we are the ship that is in need of direction and a safe harbor.

     A new church member mentioned that it’s because of Jesus that he lives each day with courage. He said that he is not fearful of the future because he knows that he will live with Jesus forever. And his  desire is for people to see Jesus in everything he does.

     Another person said that Jesus is her constant companion.

     This person says something similar. “Jesus is my friend who I talk to in the middle of the night, who always forgives me, guides me, loves me, and so much more.”

     Another person puts it this way: “Jesus is as ever present as the air I breathe and always patiently waits for me to discover his love.”

     I like how someone shared that when he was a child, he felt that Jesus was his heavenly Brother since God was his heavenly Father. As an adult, he sees Jesus as his Savior and the light showing the way on the pathway to God’s kingdom of love and forgiveness.

     Somebody else shared that when he was thirteen years old, he became aware that Jesus was her Savior. As an adult, he has found Jesus to be his healer as he has helped him to survive a massive stroke. This person thanks him everyday for saving his life so that he can continue to be a witness for him.

     Those are some of the responses I received from many different people when asked the big question, “Who do you say that Jesus is?”

     Gregory Nazianzen was one of the early church fathers from the fourth century. He was baptized at the age of 30 and became a Christian.  He also went on to become a great theologian.

          Here’s how he answered the question, “Who is Jesus Christ?” He wrote:

·     He began his ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life

·     Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water

·     Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest

·     Jesus paid tribute, yet He is the King

·     Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons

·     Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears

·     Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world

·     Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd

·     Jesus died, yet by His death He destroyed the power of death

     When Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”  Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” 

     Later, Peter will be asked this same question in a slightly different way as he warms himself by a fire in a courtyard and with his life hanging in the balance.  “You’re one of Jesus’ disciples, aren’t you?”

     And then while standing on a sandy beach, the resurrected Christ appears to Peter and he asks him not once, not twice, but three times in a row, “Peter – do you love me?” And each time, Peter answers, “Yes, Lord you know that I love you.”

     Evidently, this ultimate question is too important to ask only once. It needs to be asked again and again and again and again.

     Who do you say that Jesus is?

Sunday (August 23) Pastoral Prayer

August 23, 2026

Beulah UMC

Fairest Lord Jesus, thank you for today’s Gospel reading that invites us to reflect on who you are. In these next moments of silence, we pause to silently express to you who we believe you to be. [MOMENTS OF SILENCE]

Even as we express to you our thoughts of who you are, remind us to reflect on this ultimate question again and again and again. Help us to grow in our understanding of who you are especially as we face times of transition, challenges, and new experiences in our lives. And thank you that we can learn from each other and grow in our faith together.

 

Whenever we pray for others who are in need of healing, comfort, and guidance, this must mean that we believe you to be loving, compassionate, and gracious. And so, we lift up to you the people on our church’s prayer list as well as others who are on our hearts and minds today. We lift all of these persons and needs to you because you are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.

 

We also pray that you would help to become more aware of opportunities where you may be calling us to share with others what you mean to us like how in how you guided us through a difficult decision, felt your comfort during a time of grief, experienced your peace when facing a time of uncertainty, and received your mercy and grace after feeling paralyzed by guilt and fear.

 

Thank you for giving each of us a story to share with others of what you mean to us. And now, with confidence as your children, as your followers, and as your disciples, we join together in praying the words that you taught us to say together…

 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.