Finding Hidden Treasure in Methodist Education: A Personal Journey
It was 2004, and my five-year-old twins were bouncing with excitement. We were heading to the cinema to see a new adventure film starring Nicholas Cage called "National Treasure." I'd already shared my love of history with my boys, and they were as eager as I was to see what promised to be a thrilling treasure hunt through America's past.
For those who missed it, "National Treasure" follows historian Ben Franklin Gates as he discovers that a legendary treasure, hidden by America's founding fathers, can only be found by following clues embedded in the nation's most sacred documents and monuments. What starts as an impossible quest becomes a race against time to decode the wisdom of the past and unlock treasures that had been hiding in plain sight all along.
That movie became absolutely formative for my boys. Twenty-one years later, they still reference it, quote from it, and talk about the adventure that captured their imaginations that evening. It planted something deep in them about the value of history, the importance of founding principles, and the thrill of discovering hidden treasures from the past.
I share this memory because I believe with all my heart that the key to thriving Methodist schools in the future lies in much the same quest that captivated my sons—and continues to captivate me today. We need to recapture the mission and vision of Methodism's founding father, John Wesley, taking the best of his revolutionary educational philosophy and contextualizing it for our present challenges and future opportunities.
Like Ben Gates decoding clues from America's founders, I believe Methodist schools today need to decode the timeless wisdom Wesley embedded in his approach to education—an approach that was radical, transformative, and deeply practical in its day. The treasure isn't buried; it's hiding in plain sight, waiting to be rediscovered and applied with fresh vision.
Why I'm Starting This Journey
I need to be completely transparent with you: I don't have what some might call a traditional "education in education." What I do have is a theology degree and more than 35 years of rich pastoral and teaching experience on both sides of the Atlantic. I've spent decades helping people discover their purpose, navigate challenges, and grow into who they're meant to be. I've seen the transformative power of communities grounded in strong values and clear mission.
Most importantly, I have a burning passion to see Methodist schools not just survive, but absolutely thrive amidst the very challenging cultural, social, political, and economic landscape we're all navigating today.
Recent years have been difficult for many Methodist independent schools. We've seen beloved institutions in Devon sold, another school in Leeds forced to close after 127 years, others rocked by scandal or struggling with declining enrollment. These challenges break my heart, but they also fuel my conviction that there's a better path forward.
The Treasure Map Ahead
What drives me to start this new venture is the same thing that made "National Treasure" so compelling: the absolute certainty that there's something invaluable hidden in our Methodist educational heritage, waiting to be rediscovered and brought to life for a new generation.
In the posts ahead, I want to explore these "clues" with you—diving into Wesley's revolutionary approach to education, examining what made Methodist schools so distinctive and successful historically, and most importantly, discovering how these timeless principles can be translated into practical strategies for thriving in today's world.
Whether you're a head teacher, a governor, a parent, or someone who simply cares about the future of Methodist education, I invite you to join me on this treasure hunt. Together, let's decode the wisdom of our founders and unlock the extraordinary potential that I believe lies within every Methodist school.
The treasure is real. The map exists. The adventure begins now.
Ready to start your own treasure hunt? I'd love to hear your story and explore how we might work together. Contact me to begin the conversation.
About the author: David brings over 35 years of pastoral and teaching experience to his passion for Methodist education. After decades of ministry on both sides of the Atlantic, he's embarking on a new adventure: helping Methodist schools rediscover their founding treasure and thrive in the 21st century.
