The Globalization of Methodist Hymnody

The growth of Methodism into a global movement after the Wesleys’ lifetimes resulted in a greater global awareness and participation in the Protestant missionary movement beginning with the establishment of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society in 1818. Correspondingly, the supplements and changes introduced to John Wesley’s 1780 hymn book and the production of new hymn books by seceding Wesleyan groups show an increase in songs devoted to the theme of missions. These hymn books demonstrate a shift in theology from a focus on intercession and millennial expectations to exhortations to use human agency and other means to accomplish the evangelization of the world.