The Methodical Methodist Podcast

Ep. 53 - Phoebe Palmer – The Mother of the Holiness Movement

She was one of the most influential voices in 19th-century Methodism—so influential, in fact, that many have called her the “mother of the holiness movement.” Phoebe Palmer was a wife and mother, a writer and speaker, and a devoted follower of Christ. Through her Tuesday Meeting for the Promotion of Holiness in New York City, she inspired countless pastors, missionaries, and laypeople to pursue a deeper life of faith. Her books and sermons spread far beyond her own community, shaping Methodist theology and fueling revival across the United States and beyond. Phoebe Palmer believed that holiness was not a distant goal reserved for a select few but a gift of grace available to every believer. Her passion for evangelism and her tireless advocacy for women in ministry challenged the church to expand its vision of who could proclaim the gospel. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review! Listen to me here: https://open.spotify.com/show/48DqxAAs9ikBGric3i7hyQ

Ep. 52 - Nicholas Snethen – The Silver Trumpet

He was a powerful voice in the early days of American Methodism—so powerful, in fact, that Francis Asbury once referred to him as his “silver trumpet.” Nicholas Snethen was a farmer, an itinerant preacher, a gifted orator, and a devoted church leader. He served as chaplain to the United States House of Representatives, bringing the gospel into the heart of American government. And he played a pivotal role in the formation of the Methodist Protestant Church, advocating for greater lay representation and a more democratic structure within Methodism. From his days riding the circuit to his influence in shaping the future of the denomination, Snethen’s life was marked by conviction, courage, and a deep commitment to both preaching and reform. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review! Listen to me here: https://open.spotify.com/show/48DqxAAs9ikBGric3i7hyQ

Ep. 51 - Holy Remedies: John Wesley’s Primitive Physick

Long before modern medicine, Urgent Care, or WebMD, John Wesley published a manual on health and wellness called Primitive Physick, or an Easy and Natural Method of Curing Most Diseases. This practical guide was filled with advice on everything from colds and fevers to melancholy and asthma. John Wesley believed that physical health was as important as spiritual health and had a deep concern for the whole person – body, mind, and soul. Wesley also believed that healthcare should be accessible and affordable. And while some of the cures might cause us to laugh today, Wesley’s passion for healing was not a joke. He saw it as part of his mission to care for the physical as well as the spiritual needs of his community. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review! Listen to me here: https://open.spotify.com/show/48DqxAAs9ikBGric3i7hyQ

Ep. 50 - Captain Thomas Webb - The Soldier Preacher

The Soldier Preacher – Captain Thomas Webb was an unmistakable figure in Methodism. He preached in a scarlet and gold military uniform— with a green patch over his right eye and a sword brandished across the pulpit. Webb was a British Army officer turned Methodist lay preacher, who was known for his dynamic, energetic, bold, and enthusiastic personality. John Wesley once said of Webb, “The Captain is all life and fire.” Though he lacked formal ordination, Webb’s powerful testimony and commanding presence drew crowds in cities like Philadelphia and New York, where he helped establish some of the first Methodist societies on American soil. A soldier by training and an evangelist by calling, Captain Webb’s bold witness helped carry the Methodist message across the Atlantic and into the hearts of a growing nation. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review! Listen to me here: https://open.spotify.com/show/48DqxAAs9ikBGric3i7hyQ

Ep. 49 - Robert Strawbridge - The Methodist Maverick

He has been called the “Maverick of Methodism” and “the First Apostle of American Methodism.” Robert Strawbridge was a Pioneer of American Methodism and the first Methodist Circuit Rider in the United States. Strawbridge immigrated from his home in Ireland and traveled to Maryland where he is credited for establishing the first Methodist Society in American history. He did this without an official appointment, without a formal ordination, and without waiting for permission. His passion and vigor helped lay the groundwork for what would become a nationwide movement. The contribution of Robert Strawbridge to the Methodist Movement cannot be denied, and his legacy is woven into the very foundation of American Methodism. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review! Listen to me here: https://open.spotify.com/show/48DqxAAs9ikBGric3i7hyQ