By Lawrence Rebelo

For many years, people being commissioned and ordained in the United Methodist Church have followed in a tradition dating back to sometime during the 18th century when John Wesley would ask a set of questions to all of those wishing to become preachers in the Methodist movement.

This afternoon at 2 p.m., the candidates for ordination and commissioning will stand before Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball and the body of the West Virginia Annual Conference to answer Wesley’s Historic Questions.

Wesley created a list of 19 questions which are an outward declaration of readiness for ministry. They also are meant for personal reflection throughout ministry.

Candidates in the West Virginia Conference are guided deeper into understanding of the historic questions through a book written by former WVUMC Bishop Ernest S. Lyght titled Have You Faith in Christ?

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