When Brian was married, his minister father read Leviticus 6:12-13 exhorting Brian and his new bride to “Tend the flame” of their relationship. He has since learned that his father’s advice applies to every area of life: at church, at home and at work. In this talk, Brian weaves humor and scripture with the story of eighteenth century minister John Wesley to inspire audiences to become “Expert Flame Tenders” in their lives everyday.
John Wesley founded the Methodist church after being told there was no longer a place for him in the established church. Without a church in which to preach, Wesley was broken and defeated. With the encouragement of his Oxford friend, George Whitefield, Wesley put his hang-ups aside and began preaching in the open air - without the blessing of The Anglican Church - and the Methodist movement was born.
When asked how he drew such large crowds to those open-air sermons that birthed the church, Wesley said, “God just lit me on fire and people came to watch me burn.” Brian asks audiences, “Is anyone coming to watch you burn?”
Wesley was considered “too enthusiastic for the pulpit” by the Anglican Church. Brian challenges your group by asking whether they could be accused of being “too enthusiastic” as a spouse, parent, leader, employee, minister… No matter their role, if no one is coming to watch them burn, they have a problem.
With his trademark humor and wit, Brian helps your group see why tending the flame is so important, and how to do it in their lives.