Subject: Old Order Amish Churches |
Bible Note: Free Methodist Church of North America ********************************************* Founded: 1860 Membership: 70,556 in 971 congregations (1999) The Free Methodist Church is one of the more conservative among the larger bodies of American Methodism in both doctrine and standards of Christian practice. Its founders were the Reverend B.T. Roberts (1823-93) and his associates, who objected to "new school" Methodism, which they believed compromised the Wesleyan standards of the church. They called for a return to stricter doctrine and lifestyle in the Methodist Church. This included the abolition of slavery, abolishing the practice of pew rentals, opposition to secret societies, and more freedom in worship. They were "read out" of their churches and organized the Free Methodist Church in Pekin, New York. Doctrinally, the Free Methodists stress the virgin birth, the deity of Jesus, and his vicarious atonement and resurrection. No one may be received into membership without undergoing confession and forgiveness of sin, and the experience of entire sanctification is sought in all members. The church is connectional, with a board of four bishops who supervise the four basic geographic areas of the church, a general conference that meets every four years, annual conferences, and districts, in a basic Methodist pattern. Headquarters are in Indianapolis, Indiana. The publishing arm of the church is Light and Life Communications. The Free Methodist Church has become a world fellowship, consisting of ten general conferences (Burundi, Canada, Congo, Egypt, Dominican Republic, Japan, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, and U.S.) with a common consitution. Free Methodist churches are found in fifty-nine countries; membership outside the U.S. is over 500,000. The church operates six four-year colleges and a seminary and maintains a seminary foundation in cooperation with Asbury Theological Seminary and Western Evangelical Seminary. Social services include a hospital, a home for unwed mothers, five retirement and nursing facilities for the elderly, and many day-care centers for children. [Taken from pages 235,236 of "Handbook of Denominations in the United States, 11th Ed."] - Nolan |
Up | Down View Branch | ID# 23242 | ||
Questions and/or Subjects for NT general Archive 1 | Author | ||
|
mincc | ||
|
CalvinLuther | ||
|
fele | ||
|
Brianna | ||
|
Makarios | ||
|
Makarios | ||
|
nitab | ||
|
millenious | ||
|
Makarios | ||
|
Dalprad | ||
|
brothermichael |