ABSTRACT
Many Methodists take political engagement to be an important and distinctive part of their ecclesial tradition. It is widely assumed that though the Methodist Church may be said to be disestablished in relation to the state in almost all countries,2 it has often ‘punched above its weight’ politically. In their politics Methodists understand themselves to tread in John Wesley’s footsteps. His aim to ‘reform the nation and, in particular, the Church; to spread scriptural holiness through the land’ was expressed in preaching but also in determined campaigning on political issues such as slavery, economics, religious liberty and civil obedience.3
