Free Methodist
The mission of the Free Methodist Church is to make known to all people everywhere God’s call to wholeness through forgiveness and holiness in Jesus Christ, and to invite into membership and to equip for ministry all who respond in faith.
In the mid-1800s, influenced by the holiness movement, Benjamin Titus Roberts and others involved with the Genesee Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church encouraged a return to primitive Methodism and the doctrine of entire sanctification. They were expelled from the Methodist Episcopal Church and were unable to join any other Methodist body. Therefore they began the Free Methodist Church on August 23, 1860.
Issues that were important to them included slavery in America. While the mother church did not take a stand, those who took the name “Free” Methodist opposed slavery. Another issue in that time was the widespread practice of renting and selling church pews, thus relegating the poor to benches in the back of the sanctuary. “Free” Methodists called for free seats for all and emphasized tithes and offerings to support the church’s ministries. Freedom in worship, in contrast to deadening formalism, was also important to “Free” Methodists.
As a result, the newly named Free Methodists sought to maintain the heritage of original Methodism with its warm-hearted, biblical message and lifestyle.
The inspired, authoritative Word of God is the basis of faith for Free Methodists. We endeavor to live our lives according to its teachings (James 1:22-25).
Free Methodists are among those who have experienced spiritual birth through faith in Jesus Christ, as explained by Jesus to Nicodemus in John 3:1-17. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, described his own conversion by saying that when Christ came into his life, “My heart was strangely warmed.” The life-changing miracle of spiritual birth makes a Free Methodist, or any other believer, “a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). A personal relationship with Jesus Christ and an obedient walk with Him characterize Free Methodist Christians.
As a people, Free Methodists seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), exhibit the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and live disciplined lives in accord with the Bible’s teachings. The Bible speaks of being “sanctified,” which has two meanings: set apart and cleansed. Being set apart unto Christ and cleansed and filled by the Holy Spirit is more than a goal. It is a way of life taught in the Scriptures.
Free Methodists seek to worship God “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23). From church to church, and in multiple services of some local congregations, varieties of worship styles may be found. Yet, the heart of worship is to glorify God and receive biblical instruction.
The goal of Free Methodists is to represent Jesus Christ in our daily living. We do this both through the way we live and in sharing the gospel’s good news with others. Not known to be “hard sell” in their witness, they seek to be humble and winsome in showing forth Christ through their lives and lips.
Free Methodists have planted the church and its Christian witness across the North American continent and around the world in over 70 countries. As a Christian denomination, Free Methodists belong to the Lord and to each other, even though they speak many world languages. They also belong to various evangelical interdenominational associations.
Taking seriously the Great Commission of Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20), Free Methodists have gone across the street, into the inner city and around the world with the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. Local churches, followed by the denomination’s Christian colleges, universities and seminary programs, train and equip men and women for Christian ministry at home and abroad.
In 2005 there were approximately 1,000 churches, fellowships and new church plants with 76,000 members in the United States and 729,500 members worldwide.
(Adapted from “Who Are Free Methodists” by Bob Haslam, and “The 60-Second Guide To Free Methodism” available at the Free Methodist Church website.)
