Five Marks of Methodism: What kept British Methodists connected? Or didn’t?

At least five factors kept British Methodists connected in the century after the death of John Wesley. Four were intentional: doctrine, discipline, polity, and praxis. Methodist preachers, itinerant and local, were expected to believe and preach ‘our doctrines’, uphold ‘our discipline’, endorse and engage with the polity of Methodism, and follow the rhythms and norms of Methodist spirituality. A fifth factor was severely practical: the provision of a station, a stipend, and a house. The effectiveness of these factors and their evolution over time will be explored, giving particular attention to those who did not remain within the Connexion, to see how the five marks did, or did not, help to keep British Methodists connected.