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Working With the Free Methodist Church
Our Mission Statement
“The mission of the Free Methodist Church is to make known to all people
everywhere God’s call to wholeness in Jesus Christ and to invite into
membership and to equip for ministry all who respond in faith.”
Our Vision
“To be a healthy, Biblical community of holy people multiplying
disciples, leaders, groups and congregations.”
In recent months, several congregations established outside the Free Methodist Church have enquired about the possibility of linking up with us. Different reasons have been given. Some are new or independent congregations who are looking for a “spiritual covering”. Others believe that God is calling them to join the Free Methodist Church as we work together “to reopen the paths and wells of righteousness that John Wesley once forged and opened.”
We believe these enquiries, which come from churches in different parts of the country, reflect a desire on the heart of God to build His church and link individual congregations together in a growing family. To respond to these enquiries the Free Methodist Church has begun to develop new paths to enable us to work together more closely.
Existing congregations may enter the Free Methodist Church as Affiliate congregations. Affiliation is seen as a step towards full participation in the ministry of the Free Methodist Church.
For practical reasons we suggest the following stages:-
Stage One - The Contact Stage
a) The initial contact may be made in a variety of ways including emails, letters and telephone conversations.
b) The initial contact should be followed by personal contacts where leaders meet together and participate in worship services etc.
c) After these initial contacts member(s) of the National Leadership Team on the one hand and the leaders of the enquiring Church on the other hand need to decide whether to move into stage two.
Stage Two – The Exploration Stage
This stage is to help us ensure we are compatible in vision, doctrine, spirit and practice before we decide to affiliate. Amos 3:3.
a) We will consider our separate histories.
b) We will review our doctrinal perspectives. Where possible copies of doctrine
and polity will be exchanged.
c) Our leadership structures will be considered.
d) If there is another Free Methodist Church in the area it will be informed. We
will wherever possible seek to build a relationship between the existing and the
new.
e) Member(s) of the National Leadership Team will write a report to send to the
area Bishop and the Ministerial Board. The report will include the above issues
and conclude with a recommendation.
Stage Three – The Affiliation Stage
a) If after careful thought and prayer it seems right to the Holy Spirit and to us an affiliation document will be drafted and signed by leaders of the affiliating group and representatives from the Free Methodist Church.
b) The affiliation agreement will contain commitments made by the Free Methodist Church and the Affiliate Church.
c) As far as the Free Methodist Church is concerned the decision to affiliate a congregation will be taken by the National Leadership Team with the agreement of the Ministerial Board.
d) The normal duration of affiliation is three years.
e) At the end of that time the Affiliate Congregation would have three options: Terminate the Affiliate relationship, request an extension of time to develop relationship or become a full Free Methodist Society.
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