Distinctive Principles

The Free Methodist Church emphasises certain issues and concerns in its preaching and activities. A church must have an identity if it is to be healthy and carry out its purposes. Explanations follow of four of these emphases that have top priority.

1. Scripture holiness

The Free Methodist Church recognises the Bible as the rule for all matters of faith and life. Free Methodists practice a positive holiness that is a disciplined lifestyle motivated by Christian love. The holy life, a life of wholeness, is life lived at its best. It is the normal way for Christians to live.

2. Practical godliness

The Free Methodist Church is not satisfied with just talk. Standards of conduct, detailed in our Membership Covenant spell out practical guidelines for living a truly holy life. In this way, walk and talk match up.

3. Social concern

Our Methodist heritage is lived out in social sensitivity, in Christian love shown through compassion and service. Both in North America and overseas, the Free Methodist Church sponsors programmes to meet human need: hospitals, schools, homes for the elderly, and a worldwide child sponsorship programme.

4. Christian Education

The Free Methodist Church believes that Christianity and education go together. B.T. Roberts, founder of Free Methodism, also started its first school, Chili Seminary (now Roberts Wesleyan College in North Chili, New York). Today there are many more church-related schools of higher education in North America. Concern for quality Christian education is also reflected in local churches through Sunday School classes and midweek programmes for all ages.

5. Evangelism and foreign missions

Winning people to Christ is at the heart of all that Free Methodist people do. Evangelism involves honest concern for others. The Free Methodist Church has a vigorous plan for reaching people for Christ and planting new churches.

The mission statement declared that the church is to make known to people everywhere God's message of good news. The Free Methodist Church maintains an active foreign missions programme of evangelism and education.

Free Methodists are a Family

Free Methodists are a connected people sharing resources in order to do the Lord's work. The Yearbook and Light and Life magazine, as well as many other printed resources, help to create a workable communication network. The Book of Discipline helps to bind the church together with a common set of beliefs and a shared heritage. In organisation there are local, district, conference and general church levels. Globally, Free Methodists join under a common Constitution.