The Evangelical Methodist Church was formed in 1946, as a reaction to liberalism that had infiltrated the Methodist Church.
Meeting in Memphis, Tennessee, the denomination's founders sought to revive and preserve the fervor of Primitive Methodism, and to apply it to the needs of modern American society. Seeking roots in the 18th century Methodist movement of John and Charles Wesley, they hoped to achieve a return of the old-fashioned Methodism that had spawned the Great Awakening, preaching a Bible-based message with an emphasis on free will, local congregations, and missions.
In 1953, there was a split in the Evangelical Methodist Church, resulting in the breakaway Evangelical Methodist Church of America, which is a theologically fundamental Methodist body.
In the 1960s, the Evangelical Methodist Church merged with the Evangel Church and the People's Methodist Church, both Wesleyan in theology.
However, in 1989 and 2010, there were additional splits, forming the Bethel Methodist Church and the National Association of Wesleyan Evangelicals, respectively, both of which are small denominations.
The EMC is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, while local churches within the United States are organized into regions within the North American Conference. These districts are the United States, Canada, and the Mexican Evangelistic Mission.
The EMC has congregations in twenty-four US states, as well as a presence in twenty other countries, including Bolivia, Burma, Canada, and Mexico.
Internationally, there are several denominations that share the name, but which are unrelated to the Evangelical Methodist Church in North America.
The denomination operates within a congregational-connectional form of church government. Ministers within the denomination are licensed by the Conference, and may include local preachers, elders, deacons, and deaconesses. Local church administrations vary but generally include a Board of Stewards and an Board of Trustees, as called for in the Book of Discipline. These boards work with the senior pastor, who oversees the local church's ministries and other ministers.
Church membership is through baptism, consultation with a local pastor, making a profession of faith, and taking a vow of membership.
The EMC holds that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and the will and way of God for the daily life of Christians.
There is one true and living God, who is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable. Within the Godhead are three persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born of the Virgin Mary, and was both God and man. He lived a sinless life, died a substitutionary death on the cross, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, reveals Christ to Christians and enables them to serve God.
With the fall of Adam and Eve, mankind is born into sin. Salvation is a gift of God's grace, and cannot be attained through good works. Salvation requires faith in the finished work of Jesus at Calvary, and acknowledgement of the lordship of Jesus. Christians are expected to live a holy life.
The two sacraments are baptism and Holy Communion. The mode of baptism is left to the conscience of the individual.
The Evangelical Methodist Church affirms the local and the universal church, which is the body of Christ on earth.
The EMC holds that Jesus will return to earth one day, both literally and visibly. The congregation's theology is premillennial. The dead will be resurrected, after which believers will receive eternal life while unbelievers will suffer eternal punishment.
The focus of this category is on the Evangelical Methodist Church. Appropriate websites include denominational sites, as well as its conferences, districts, associations, colleges and schools of theology, publishing houses, and other affiliated organizations or corporations. Sites representing local congregations should be submitted to the Local & Global category representing their location, however.
Recommended Resources
Covenant Evangelical Methodist Church
The Morgantown, West Virginia congregation was founded in 1984 by Dr. Edward Williamson, who became the General Superintendent of the Evangelical Methodist Church denomination in 1998. Its history, statement of faith, and staff contacts are posted to the site, with an overview of its ministries, educational programs, worship schedules, and a calendar of events. A sermon archive is included.
http://covenantemc.com/
The EMC is a small Wesleyan Holiness denominations based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Its history and an introductory video are set forth, with an overview of its beliefs, pastoral selection process, bishops, boards, and departments. Member churches may be located through the site, and various church forms, reports, and other documents may be downloaded from the site. A calendar of events and an online store are included.
http://emchurch.org/
Evangelical Methodist Church of America
Also known as the Evangelical Methodist Conference, the EMCA is a conservative, fundamentalist, Holiness denomination with roots in churches that broke away from the mainline Methodist Church in the 1940s and 1950s. Headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, it operates Breckbill Bible College in Virginia. Its history, affiliations, missions, and publications are featured, including a magazine archive and contacts.
http://www.evangelicalmethodist.org/
First Evangelical Methodist Church of Kannapolis
Organized in 1940, the Kannapolis, North Carolina church was first known as Liberty Gospel Tabernacle. Joining the Peoples Christian Movement in 1943, its name was changed to the Peoples Methodist Church in 1948, and the Oakshade Avenue Evangelical Methodist Church in 1959 after a merger with the Evangelical Methodist Church, taking its current name in 1968 after moving to a new sanctuary. Directions, schedules, and contacts are posted.
http://www.firstemcofkannapolis.org/
Old Richmond Evangelical Methodist Church
Founded in 1945, the church is situated in Tobaccoville, North Carolina, and originally known as the Community Gospel Mission. Its name was changed to People’s Christian Movement of Old Richmond in 1946, taking its present name in 1962 when the People’s Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical Methodist Church. Its location, service schedules, programs, missions, and contacts are posted to the site.
http://www.oldrichmondemc.com/
