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

Stay Focused!

  Since the birth of social media and 24-hour news organizations, we have quickly seen that information (true or false) travels quickly. It reminds me of words from the infamous church camp song “Pass It On” which states “It only takes a spark to get a fire going.” We have seen how quickly sparks of information can set our emotions into flame with the recent deaths of Charlie Kirk and Melissa Hortman. Their senseless deaths set off a blaze of responses due to their murders being categorized as assassinations. Sadly, this isn’t anything new. Just hearing the word “assassination,” we think of people such as John and Robert Kennedy, Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X. We can even go back in time to notable leaders as Abraham Lincoln and Julius Ceasar. Yes, it is true what Solomon remarked in Ecclesiastes 1:9 , “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” Evil is doing what evil does. Therefore, since we (...
Read more

Cross of St. Peter

One of the strongest defenses of investigating any situation is making sure that we gather as many facts, witnesses, and information on the subject at hand. We don’t want to jump to any rash decisions or conclusions and find out, later, that we were wrong. The Bible has a very strong passage to support taking the time to gather facts to make a truth-filled decision. Proverbs 18:15 , “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” We cannot afford to jump to conclusions on unfounded rumors or quickly repeated gossip. I have witnessed one incident of such false information that has spread like a raging forest fire due to individuals not doing their homework on the subject matter. I am talking about some recent “observances” during the funeral of Pope Francis. During his funeral, several individuals noticed that there were “upside-down crosses” displayed in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Many took to social media in a wild frenzy to associa...
Read more

The Chronicles Advice

  There is a powerful verse in the Old Testament book that comes from a father to his son. You may have heard of these two men: King David and his son, Solomon. The time is coming for Solomon to be the next King and Dad has some advice for him as he is facing the daunting task of building the Temple. This is what King David advised: 1 Chronicles 28:9-10 , “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. So take this seriously. The Lord has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work.” That’s good advice. No, wait. That is great advice. No, maybe there is even a better way to say it. I know! It’s life-changing and sensational advice that we all want to embrace as a Christian. The fact r...
Read more