Final answer:
The itinerancy system in Methodism involved circuit rider ministers traveling to spread the Gospel, significant during the Second Great Awakening, and did not require a theological education for preachers, facilitating Methodist expansion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The itinerancy system in Methodism refers to the practice where Methodist ministers, also known as circuit riders or itinerant preachers, traveled from one location to another to preach and lead worship. This system emerged in response to the growing number of Methodist followers in the United States during the Second Great Awakening, a period of religious revivals. The Methodist Church did not require a theological education for clergy; they believed that true preachers were called by God rather than trained in educational institutions. As a result, even converted slaves, who felt the call to preach, could potentially speak to both black and white audiences, leading to significant growth in African American Methodist congregations.
The itinerancy system allowed for the expansion of Methodist beliefs and practices, particularly in rural and frontier areas that lacked established churches or regular religious services. The system of itinerancy was crucial for the growth of Methodism as it adapted to the needs of a sprawling and mobile population, setting a precedent for flexible and accessible religious services that did not rely on formal theological training.