Associated with the Holiness Movement, the Free Methodist Church is an evangelical Christian denomination that is Wesleyan and Arminian in theology.
With members in the United States and more than eighty other nations, the denomination is associated with the Christian Holiness Partnership, Christian Churches Together, the National Association of Evangelicals, the Wesleyan Holiness Consortium, and the World Methodist Council. Organizationally, it is divided into thirteen general conferences.
Organized in Pekin, New York in 1860, the denomination grew from a group of Methodists who were excluded from the Methodist Episcopal Church over issues of doctrine and practices. Led by the Reverend Benjamin Titus Roberts, a graduate of Wesleyan University, who published a monthly journal, The Earnest Christian, the movement spread easily and quickly.
In 1868, the denomination began publishing The Free Methodist, now known as Light & Life, the official publication of the Free Methodist Church. In 1886, the Light & Life Press was established to publish books, periodicals, Sunday School curriculum, and other literature. However, the denomination's Sunday School curriculum and many of its other publications are now carried out in cooperation with other Holiness denominations.
The founders of the new denomination retained the name "Methodist" because they believed that their expulsion from the Methodist Episcopal Church was the result of their faithful adherence to the doctrines and standards of authentic Wesleyan Methodism. The word "Free" was used for several reasons: to denote the denomination's opposition to slavery, and to its position that church pews were to be free rather than sold or rented, as was then common in many churches. Also, the founders believed in the freedom of worship in the Holy Spirit, as opposed to the more formal atmosphere of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and there was a reference to freedom from secret societies, particularly the Masonic Orders. They stood also for freedom from the abuse of ecclesiastical authority, such as that which led to their own expulsion from the Methodist Episcopal Church. Lastly, was the freedom to experience sanctification through the power of the Holy Spirit rather than gradual growth following justification.
Separations from the Free Methodist Church have included the Reformed Free Methodist Church (1932), the United Holiness Church (1955), and the Evangelical Wesleyan Church (1963).
Currently, the denomination is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Before 1990, it was based in Winona Lake, Indiana.
The ultimate governing body for the Free Methodist Church is the World Conference. It is comprised of lay and clergy representatives from every country that has a General Conference. Countries in which the denomination is not yet well established may progress from a Mission District to an Annual Conference, to a General Conference. General Conferences are linked through the Articles of Religion and Common Constitution of the first two chapters of the Book of Discipline, the World Conference, and the Council of Bishops.
The focus of this category is on the Free Methodist Church denomination and its associated ministries, although websites representing local Free Methodist Church congregations should be listed in the Local & Global category that corresponds to its physical location.
Recommended Resources
Association of Human Service Ministries
The mission of the AHSM is to provide Christ-centered support for ministry leaders, promote growth in existing ministries, and encourage new ministries. The criteria for membership are stated, and officers and partnerships are acknowledged, along with information about supporting an AHSM agency or making membership inquiries. Other resources include a membership directory and a directory of AHSM member agencies.
https://associationofhumanserviceministries.wordpress.com/
Continuing the long history of stewardship in the Free Methodist Church, FMC Financial Services includes GuideStream Financial, which provides personalized financial planning and investment management from a Christian perspective, as well as the Free Methodist Investment & Loan Fund, which assists the ministries of the denomination in the acquisition and expansion of physical facilities, and an Estate & Gift Planning program to benefit the work of the church.
https://fmffinancial.org/
Free Methodist Church in Canada
The General Conference of Free Methodist Churches in Canada is headquartered in Ontario, and representing FMC congregations throughout the country. Staff contacts are posted to the site, along with General Conference resources, an overview of its ministry areas, leadership development, prayer events, and a directory of congregations within the Conference. Also included are a calendar of events, videos, group forums, and various church resources.
https://www.fmcic.ca/
The General Conference of the Free Methodist Church in the United Kingdom is a member of the Evangelical Alliance and the Free Churches Group, serving FMC churches in the UK and Ireland. The history of the Free Methodist Church is told, and the staff of the FMC-UK is acknowledged, and information about becoming ordained and becoming a minister within the denomination is included, along with a directory of member churches. A contact form is included.
https://freemethodist.org.uk/
The FMC-USA is the General Conference of the Free Methodist Church in the United States. The chief ministries of the FMC-USA are listed, with links to applicable websites, the leadership of the FMC is acknowledged, and a searchable map allows visitors to find an FMC church near them. The path to affiliating with the denomination is defined, and several online resources, such as legal documents and templates, an annual yearbook, and minister credentialing, are available.
https://fmcusa.org/
A program os the Study Commission on Doctrine of the Free Methodist Church USA, the site features articles on a variety of topics relating to church doctrine and encourages members to participate. Instructions for taking part in the discussion are provided, along with links to the authoritative documents of the denomination. The larger topics include church and state, immigration, race, sexuality, social media, and women in leadership. Recent posts and comments are highlighted.
https://freemethodistconversations.com/
Free Methodist World Conference
The World Conference is the international body of the Free Methodist Church denomination, charged with facilitating communications and good relationships among the leaders of the General Conferences of the denomination. Its history and purpose are outlined, along with a calendar and events, notifications of current activities of the body, and a gallery of photographs. Its mailing address, email address, and a contact form are included, and a private login is available.
https://fmwconference.com/
As an arm of the Free Methodist Church denomination, FMWM seeks to make disciples through the mobilization of the global church and the empowering of international leaders to establish transformational churches. Its work in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East is highlighted, and a directory of missionaries, missionary memorials, and information on becoming a missionary is put forth, along with other service opportunities.
https://fmwm.org/
International Child Care Ministries
ICCM was formed in 1965, as Dr. Alton Gould started the first ICCM-sponsored school in Hong Kong, and this was later expanded to other countries as a Free Methodist Church global outreach to children and families. An overview of the organization is presented, including where it is at work, its vision, and how to get involved as individuals or as churches. Its child sponsorship programs, special funds, and a giving guide are put forth, and contacts are provided.
https://www.childcareministries.org/
Light & Life Magazine is the official publication of the Free Methodist Church - USA and is available in print book format, flipbook format, or as a PDF document. Covering various issues of the denomination, church stability, and Christian living, it is also available in the Spanish language. Instructions are provided for writers submitting articles for publication, such as its focus and perspective, submission policies, payment, and Internet use policies.
https://lightandlifemagazine.com/
The NPM is an arm of the Free Methodist Church that assists the work of the denomination by encourages prayer among conferences, churches, pastors, and congregations, offering resources such as the School of Intercession and the Listening Prayer Series, which are outlined here, along with a wide collection of published books, online video, and audio series, as well as information about upcoming prayer conferences, including schedules and contacts.
https://npmfmc.org/
The PNWC is the Pacific Northwest Conference of the Free Methodist Church. Headquartered in Snohomish, Washington, the Conference includes FMC churches in the states of Washington and Alaska. A directory of member churches is presented, with the lead pastor, city, website address, and Facebook address for each. The mailing address, telephone number, and email address for the Conference offices are included, along with a contact form.
https://www.pnwc.org/
The River Conference of the Free Methodist Church serves member states in the states of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Texas, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Boards, committees, and staff members are introduced, and local churches within the Conference can be located through each of the member states. A calendar of conferences, summits, and other events is posted, along with announcements and a monthly newsletter.
http://www.theriverconference.org/
Long a mission of the Free Methodist Church, Set Free works to free slaves throughout the world. Its site includes information about human trafficking and modern slavery, an overview of the places in which the organization is working, and other resources, such as the role that poverty plays in human trafficking, the slavery footprint, and other informational articles relating to slavery. Freedom Sunday and other events sponsored by Set Free are discussed.
https://www.setfreemovement.com/
Sustainable Empowerment through Economic Development
SEED is an international livelihood ministry of the Free Methodist Church USA. Using global partnerships, the organization helps to create local livelihoods for people who may lack local opportunities. General information about the organization is put forth, including its livelihood groups, was in which others can invest in the work, donate to the organization, or host an event. An online shopping area features crafts produced by sponsored artisans.
https://seedlivelihood.org/
The Harvest Conference of the Free Methodist Church holds to a two-fold vision for growth: every pastor is a planter, and every church is a global church. Global missions and missionaries are featured, including a spotlight of the ministries of the Harvest Conference. Church affiliations, church locations, and church planting resources are included, various conferences and other events are highlighted, with conference forms and training materials.
https://www.pcfmc.org/
