Revivals in South Australian Methodism

In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Methodism was the most vigorous religious group in South Australia, once referred to as the ‘light cavalry’ of South Australian Protestantism. A handful of Methodists were present at the commencement of the colony in 1836. By 1870, Methodism numerically, far exceeded any other denomination and by 1901, 25 per cent of South Australians called themselves ‘Methodist’. Key factors in Methodism’s impressive growth included its emphasis on church planting, preaching for conversion, and revivalism as the preferred means of evangelistic activity. The lecture will present an overview of Methodist revivalism, key learnings, and outline some possible implications for ministry in the twenty-first-century.