Skip to main content

A Proud Heritage

I've had my copy of the "2015 Book of Discipline" of the Free Methodist Church for a few years, and our new 2019 edition should be published after this Summer's General Conference in Orlando, Florida (July 2019). 

I always take the time to go through it for review and return to it many times for reference and teaching. I hope you are aware of this publication (republished/updated every 4 years). Yes, I know...you're thinking "oooh, that sounds so exciting!" But, you know...it is. 

It is a good practice to revisit this wonderful manual that is 220 pages of our history, mission, doctrine and polity. It declares our identity of why we claim to be "Free" Methodists. 

I was particularly struck by some of the distinct principles of our Wesleyan-Armenian heritage that have guided us since August 23, 1860. Beyond the depth of our theological emphasis on sanctification, is the freedom and simplicity of just being committed to "raising up a holy people" and establishing worship that is "characterized by simplicity and freedom of the Spirit" that is "untrammeled by elaborate ritual." 

As Free Methodists we also focus on our "special obligation" to preach the gospel to the poor and to keep modesty at the forefront that commits itself to "the New Testament ideals of simplicity and modesty as a style of life." A whole lot of this mind-set is one that provides us freedom...freedom to do what is necessary to put all the attention on the Lord Jesus Christ and not upon ourselves. 

It isn't supposed to be "about us" anyway. It is taking the attitude that "the best way to keep worldliness from invading the church is for the church to invade the world with redemptive purpose." We are free...we are simple...we are focused...we are committed...to Jesus Christ and His redemptive love for all. A liberating way to live...in freedom.

If you want to know "the basics" behind this wonderful Denomination, just click the link below to download a free brochure on "What is a Free Methodist!" If it something you can support, by all means, come be a part of Motley Free Methodist, 33 Wellwood Street East, Motley, Minnesota! You can also visit us on this link: Motley Free Methodist Website 

 Enjoy!

 

Popular posts from this blog

Learn from Lydia

  There are a lot of interesting mentions of women in the Bible. Whether it is the Old Testament or New Testament, there are many strong, yet oddly missed, lessons from women that we can familiarize ourselves with to strengthen our faith.   One such woman is named Lydia. She provides a very powerful lesson for us. We find one particular mention of her in the book of Acts. Acts 16:14 , says that Lydia “reverenced God, and the Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying.”   Lydia is actually a significant person in the New Testament. She is described as “a dealer in purple goods” (Acts 16:14). Pointing that out is quite a clue. Dealing in “purple goods” was considered a luxury in the ancient world.   It is probably safe to say that she was both a woman of great financial means and able to deal successfully with the influential people of her time. She was also noted as having a great gift of persuasion.   I think she might have been the only perso...
Read more

Tetelestai!

Just before Jesus gives up His spirit on the cross, He utters a very powerful word. The word that He cries out is “ tetelestai” (tih-tellis-tie). When literally translated, this word means, “It is finished.” It can also refer to something completed or accomplished. The word occurs in  John 19:28  and 19:30 and these are the only two places in all of the New Testament where it is found. In the John19:28 passage, it is translated, “After this, when Jesus knew that all things were now  completed , in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, he said, ‘I thirst.’” Two verses later, he utters the word himself: “Then when he received the sour wine Jesus said, ‘ It is finished ,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”   Did you know that the word  tetelestai  was also written on business documents or receipts in New Testament times to show indicating that a bill had been paid in full? The Greek-English lexicon (by Moulton and Milligan) sa...
Read more

Asking "What" Instead of "Why"

Life is not easy and it is not void of struggle, challenges, pain, sorrow, loss, grief, and suffering. I am sure I can come up with more words than that, but this article would soon blossom to two to three pages in length. I am sure we are familiar with the trials and frustrations of Job in the Old Testament. Some of us might even be familiar with the words of Habakuk in 1:2 , “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” When things don’t go well or something tragic or unfortunate befalls us, we are faced with the struggles of crying out to God, “why me?” “Why, God, did you let this happen?” Many times, we too, grow frustrated and angry at God, for how He chooses to work within our situations and circumstances. We sure do end up asking God a lot of “why” questions. I believe “why” could be the wrong word to be using. Asking “why” seems to imply a lack of faith, ungratefulness, and, somehow, that we think God owes us an explanation, an answer or reaso...
Read more