DOCTRINE AND MEMBERSHIP

 

        ¶ 100                              Preamble

 

DOCTRINE: ARTICLES OF RELIGION

         ¶¶ 101-107         God

         ¶¶ 108-110         The Scriptures

         ¶¶ 111-113         Humankind

         ¶¶ 114-120         Salvation

         ¶¶ 121-125         The Church

         ¶¶ 126-130         Last Things

            131                Scriptural References

 

MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBERSHIP COVENANT

         ¶ 150                 Membership

         ¶ 151                 Requirements of Membership

         ¶ 152                 The Rights of Membership

         ¶ 153                 Termination of Full Membership

         ¶ 154                 Privilege and Responsibility

         ¶ 155                 Membership Accountability

         ¶ 156                 The Membership Confession, Commitment

                                   and Covenant

         ¶ 157                 As Regards God

         ¶ 158                 As Regards Ourselves and Others

         ¶ 159                 As Regards the Institutions of God

         ¶ 160                 As Regards the Church

         ¶ 161                 The Questions for Membership

         ¶ 162                 Youth Membership

         ¶ 163                 Questions for Youth Membership

         ¶ 164                 Transfer of Membership


CHAPTER ONE:  THE CONSTITUTION—DOCTRINE AND MEMBERSHIP

 ¶100 Preamble

In order that we may wisely preserve and pass on to posterity the heritage of doctrine and principles of Christian living transmitted to us as evangelicals in the Arminian‑Wesleyan tradition, ensure church order by sound principles and ecclesiastical polity, and prepare the way for the evangelization of the world and more effective cooperation with other branches of the church of Christ in the advancement of Christ’s kingdom, we, the ministers and lay members of The Free Methodist Church, in accordance with constitutional procedure, do hereby ordain, establish, and set forth the following as the Constitution of The Free Methodist Church.

 

THE ARTICLES OF RELIGION

GOD

101 THE HOLY TRINITY

There is but one living and true God, the maker and preserver of all things. And in the unity of this Godhead there are three persons:  the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one in eternity, deity, and purpose; everlasting, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness.

 

THE SON

¶103 His Incarnation

God was Himself in Jesus Christ to reconcile people to God. Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, He joined together the deity of God and the humanity of humankind. Jesus of Nazareth was God in human flesh, truly God and truly human. He came to save us.

For us the Son of God suffered, was crucified, dead and buried. He poured out His life as a blameless sacrifice for our sin and transgressions. We gratefully acknowledge that He is our Saviour, the one perfect mediator between God and us.

 

¶104 His Resurrection and Exaltation

Jesus Christ is risen victorious from the dead. His resurrected body became more glorious, not hindered by ordinary human limitations. Thus He ascended into heaven. There He sits as our exalted Lord at the right hand of God the Father, where He intercedes for us until all His enemies shall be brought into complete subjection. He will return to judge all people. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

THE HOLY SPIRIT

 ¶105 His Person

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. Proceeding from the Father and the Son, He is one with them, the eternal Godhead; equal in deity, majesty, and power. He is God effective in Creation, in life, and in the church. The Incarnation and ministry of Jesus Christ were accomplished by the Holy Spirit. He continues to reveal, interpret, and glorify the Son.


¶106 His Work in Salvation

The Holy Spirit is the administrator of the salvation planned by the Father and provided by the Son’s death, resurrection, and ascension. He is the effective agent in our conviction, regeneration, sanctification, and glorification. He is our Lord’s ever-present self, indwelling, assuring, and enabling the believer.

 

¶107 His Relation to the Church

The Holy Spirit is poured out upon the church by the Father and the Son. He is the church’s life and witnessing power. He bestows the love of God and makes real the lordship of Jesus Christ in the believer so that both His gifts of words and service may achieve the common good, and build and increase the church. In relation to the world He is the Spirit of truth, and His instrument is the Word of God.

 

 THE SCRIPTURES

 ¶108 AUTHORITY

The Bible is God’s written Word, uniquely inspired by the Holy Spirit. It bears unerring witness to Jesus Christ, the living Word. As attested by the early church and subsequent councils, it is the trustworthy record of God’s revelation, completely truthful in all it affirms. It has been faithfully preserved and proves itself true in human experience.

The Scriptures have come to us through human authors who wrote, as God moved them, in the languages and literary forms of their times. God continues, by the illumination of the Holy Spirit, to speak through this Word to each generation and culture.

The Bible has authority over all human life. It teaches the truth about God, His creation, His people, His one and only Son, and the destiny of all humankind. It also teaches the way of salvation and the life of faith. Whatever is not found in the Bible nor can be proved by it is not to be required as an article of belief or as necessary to salvation.

 

109 AUTHORITY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

The Old Testament is not contrary to the New. Both Testaments bear witness to God’s salvation in Christ; both speak of God’s will for His people. The ancient laws for ceremonies and rites, and the civil precepts for the nation Israel are not necessarily binding on Christians today. But, on the example of Jesus we are obligated to obey the moral commandments of the Old Testament.

The books of the Old Testament are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I Samuel, II Samuel, I Kings, II Kings, I Chronicles, II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.

 

110 AUTHORITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

The New Testament fulfills and interprets the Old Testament. It is the record of the revelation of God in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. It is God’s final word regarding humankind, sin, and salvation, the world and its destiny.


The books of the New Testament are Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, I Corinthians, II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I Thessalonians, II Thessalonians, I Timothy, II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, I Peter, II Peter, I John, II John, III John, Jude, Revelation.

 

 

HUMANKIND

 ¶111 A FREE MORAL PERSON

God created human beings in His own image, innocent, morally free and responsible to choose between good and evil, right and wrong. By the sin of Adam, humans as the offspring of Adam are corrupted in their very nature so that from birth they are inclined to sin. They are unable by their own strength and work to restore themselves in right relationship with God and to merit eternal salvation. God, the Omnipotent, provides all the resources of the Trinity to make it possible for humans to respond to His grace through faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. By God’s grace and help, people are  enabled to do good works with a free will.

 

¶112 LAW OF LIFE AND LOVE

God’s law for all human life, personal and social, is expressed in two divine commands: Love the Lord God with all your heart, and love your neighbour as yourself. These commands reveal what is best for persons in their relationships with God, others, and society. They set forth the principles of human duty in both individual and social action. They recognize God as the only Sovereign. All people as created by Him and in His image have the same inherent rights regardless of sex, race, or colour. All should therefore give God absolute obedience in their individual, social, and political acts. They should strive to secure to everyone respect for their person, their rights, and their greatest happiness in the possession and exercise of the right within the moral law.

 

¶113 GOOD WORKS

Good works are the fruit of faith in Jesus Christ, but works cannot save us from our sins nor from God’s judgment. As expressions of Christian faith and love, good works performed with reverence and humility are both acceptable and pleasing to God. However, good works do not earn God’s grace.

 

 

SALVATION

 ¶114 CHRIST’S SACRIFICE

Christ offered once and for all the one perfect sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. No other satisfaction for sin is necessary; none other can atone.

 

¶115 THE NEW LIFE IN CHRIST

A new life and a right relationship with God are made possible through the redemptive acts of God in Jesus Christ. God, by His Spirit, acts to impart new life and put people into a relationship with Himself as they repent and their faith responds to His grace. Justification, regeneration, and adoption speak significantly to entrance into and continuance in the new life.


¶116 Justification

         Justification is a legal term that emphasizes that by a new relationship in Jesus Christ people are in fact accounted righteous, being freed from both the guilt and the penalty of their sins.

 

¶117 Regeneration

         Regeneration is a biological term which illustrates that by a new relationship in Christ one does in fact have a new life and a new spiritual nature capable of faith, love, and obedience to Christ Jesus as Lord. The believer is born again and  is a new creation. The old life is past; a new life is begun.

 

¶118 Adoption

         Adoption is a filial term full of warmth, love, and acceptance. It denotes that by a new relationship in Christ, believers have become His wanted children freed from the mastery of both sin and Satan. Believers have the witness of the Spirit that they are children of God.

 

¶119 ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION

         Entire sanctification is that work of the Holy Spirit, subsequent to regeneration, by which  fully consecrated believers, upon exercise of faith in the atoning blood of Christ, are cleansed in that moment from all inward sin and empowered for service. The resulting relationship is attested by the witness of the Holy Spirit and is maintained by faith and obedience. Entire sanctification enables believers to love God with all their hearts, souls, strength, and minds, and their neighbors as themselves, and it prepares them for greater growth in grace.

 

¶120 RESTORATION

         Christians may be sustained in a growing relationship with Jesus as Saviour and Lord. However, they may grieve the Holy Spirit in the relationships of life without returning to the dominion of sin. When they do, they must humbly accept the correction of the Holy Spirit, trust in the advocacy of Jesus, and mend their relationships.

 

         Christians can sin willfully and sever their relationship with Christ. Even so by repentance before God, forgiveness is granted and the relationship with Christ restored, for not every sin is the sin against the Holy Spirit and unpardonable. God’s grace is sufficient for those who truly repent and, by His enabling, amend their lives. However, forgiveness does not give the believer liberty to sin and escape the consequences of sinning.  God has given responsibility and power to the church to restore a penitent believer through loving reproof, counsel, and acceptance.

 

 

THE CHURCH

 

¶121 THE CHURCH

         The church is created by God; it is the people of God. Christ Jesus is its Lord and Head; the Holy Spirit is its life and power. It is both divine and human, heavenly and earthly, ideal and imperfect. It is an organism, not an unchanging institution. It exists to fulfill the purposes of God in Christ. It redemptively ministers to persons. Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it that it should be holy and without blemish. The church is a fellowship of the redeemed and the redeeming, preaching the Word of God and administering the sacraments according to Christ’s instruction. The Free Methodist Church purposes to be representative of what the church of Jesus Christ should be on earth. It therefore requires specific commitment regarding the faith and life of its members. In its requirements it seeks to honour Christ and obey the


         written Word of God.


¶122 THE LANGUAGE OF WORSHIP

         According to the Word of God and the custom of the early church, public worship and prayer and the administration of the sacraments should be a language understood by the people. The Reformation applied this principle to provide for the use of the common language of the people. It is likewise clear that the Apostle Paul places the strongest emphasis upon rational and intelligible utterance in worship. We cannot endorse practices which plainly violate these scriptural principles.

 

¶123 THE HOLY SACRAMENTS

         Water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the sacraments of the church commanded by Christ. They are means of grace through faith, tokens of our profession of Christian faith, and signs of God’s gracious ministry toward us. By them, He works within us to quicken, strengthen, and confirm our faith.

 

¶124 Baptism

         Water baptism is a sacrament of the church, commanded by our Lord, signifying acceptance of the benefits of the atonement of Jesus Christ to be administered to believers, as declaration of their faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour.

 

         Baptism is a symbol of the new covenant of grace as circumcision was the symbol of the old covenant; and, since infants are recognized as being included in the atonement, they may be baptized upon the request of parents or guardians who shall give assurance for them of necessary Christian training. They shall be required to affirm the vow for themselves before being accepted into church membership.

 

¶125 The Lord’s Supper

         The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament of our redemption by Christ’s death. To those who rightly, worthily, and with faith receive it, the bread which we break is a partaking of the body of Christ; and likewise the cup of blessing is a partaking of the blood of Christ. The supper is also a sign of the love and unity that Christians have among themselves.

                 

         Christ, according to His promise, is really present in the sacrament. But His body is given, taken, and eaten only after a heavenly and spiritual manner. No change is effected in the element; the bread and wine are not literally the body and blood of Christ. Nor is the body and blood of Christ literally present with the elements. The elements are never to be considered objects of worship. The body of Christ is received and eaten in faith.

 

 

LAST THINGS

 

¶126 THE KINGDOM OF GOD

         The kingdom of God is a prominent Bible theme providing Christians with both their tasks and hope. Jesus announced its presence. The kingdom is realized now as God’s reign is established in the hearts and lives of believers.

 

         The church by its prayers, example, and proclamation of the Gospel, is the appointed and appropriate instrument of God in building His kingdom. But the kingdom is also future and is related to the return of Christ when judgment will fall upon the present order. The enemies of Christ will be subdued; the reign of God will be established; a total cosmic renewal which is both material and moral shall occur; and the hope of the redeemed will be fully realized.

 

¶127 THE RETURN OF CHRIST

         The return of Christ is certain and may occur at any moment although it is not given us to know the hour. At His return He will fulfill all prophecies concerning His final triumph over all evil. The believer’s response is joyous expectation, watchfulness, readiness, and diligence.

 

¶128 RESURRECTION

         There will be a bodily resurrection from the dead of both the just and the unjust, they that have done good unto the resurrection of life; they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. The resurrected body will be a spiritual body, but the person will be whole and identifiable. The resurrection of Christ is the guarantee of resurrection unto life to those who are in Him.

 

¶129 JUDGMENT

         God has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness in accordance with the Gospel and our deeds in this life.

 

¶130          FINAL DESTINY

         Our eternal destiny is determined by God’s grace and our response, not by arbitrary decrees of God. For those who trust Him and obediently follow Jesus as Saviour and Lord, there is a heaven of eternal glory and the blessedness of Christ’s presence. But for the finally impenitent there is a hell of eternal suffering and of separation from God.

 

 

 

¶131 SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES

 

The doctrines of The Free Methodist Church are based upon the Holy Scriptures and are derived from their total biblical context. The references below are appropriate passages related to the given articles. They are listed in their biblical sequence and are not intended to be exhaustive.

 

1.             GOD

 

1.1.    Holy Trinity

Genesis 1:1‑2; Exodus 3:13‑15; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1‑3; 5:19‑23; 8:58; 14:9‑11; 15:26; 16:13‑15; II Corinthians 13:14.

 

1.2.    Son

 

1.2.1.        His Incarnation – Matthew 1:21; 20:28; 26:27‑28; Luke 1:35; 19:10; John 1:1,10,14; II Corinthians 5:18‑19; Philippians 2:5‑8; Hebrews 2:17; 9:14‑15.

 

1.2.2.    His Resurrection and Exaltation – Matthew 25:31‑32; Luke 24:1‑7; 24:39; John 20:19; Acts 1:9‑11; 2:24; Romans 8:33‑34; II Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 2:9‑11; Hebrews 1:1‑4.

 

1.3.    Holy Spirit

 

1.3.1.    His Person – Matthew 28:19; John 4:24; 14:16‑17,26; 15:26; 16:13‑15.


1.3.2.        His Work in Salvation – John 16:7‑8; Acts 15:8‑9; Romans 8:9,14‑16;
I Corinthians 3:16; II Corinthians 3:17‑18; Galatians 4:6.

 

1.3.3.        His Relation to the Church – Acts 5:3‑4; Romans 8:14; I Corinthians 12:4‑7;

            II Peter 1:21.

 

THE SCRIPTURES

 

2.1.  Authority – Deuteronomy 4:2; 28:9; Psalm 19:7‑11; John 14:26; 17:17; Romans 15:4; II Timothy 3:14‑17; Hebrews 4:12; James 1:21.

 

2.2.    Authority of the Old Testament – Matthew 5:17‑18; Luke 10:25‑28; John 5:39,46‑47; Acts 10:43; Galatians 5:3‑4; I Peter 1:10‑12.

 

2.3.    Authority of the New Testament – Matthew 24:35; Mark 8:38; John 14:24; Hebrews 2:1‑4; II Peter 1:16‑21; I John 2:2‑6; Revelation 21:5; 22:19.

 

3.      HUMANKIND

 

3.1.    A Free Moral Person – Genesis 1:27; Psalm 51:5; 130:3; Romans 5:17‑19; Ephesians 2:8‑10.

 

3.2.  Law of Life and Love – Matthew 22:35‑40; John 15:17; Galatians 3:28; I John 4:19‑21.

 

3.3.  Good Works – Matthew 5:16; 7:16‑20; Romans 3:27,28; Ephesians 2:10; II Timothy 1:8‑9; Titus 3:5.

 

4.      SALVATION

 

4.1.    Christ’s Sacrifice – Luke 24:46‑48; John 3:16; Acts 4:12; Romans 5:8‑11; Galatians 2:16; 3:2‑3; Ephesians 1:7‑8; 2:13; Hebrews 9:11‑14,25‑26; 10:8‑14.

 

4.2.  The New Life in Christ – John 1:12‑13; 3:3‑8; Acts 13:38‑39; Romans 8:15‑17; Ephesians 2:8‑9; Colossians 3:9‑10.

 

4.2.1.        Justification – Psalm 32:1‑2; Acts 10:43; Romans 3:21‑26,28; 4:2‑25; 5:8‑9;
I Corinthians 6:11; Philippians 3:9.

 

4.2.2.        Regeneration – Ezekiel 36:26‑27; John 5:24; Romans 6:4; II Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:22‑24; Colossians 3:9‑10; Titus 3:4‑5; I Peter 1:23.

 

4.2.3.        Adoption – Romans 8:15‑17; Galatians 4:4‑7; Ephesians 1:5‑6; I John 3:1‑3.

 

4.3.  Entire Sanctification – Leviticus 20:7‑8; John 14:16‑17; 17:19; Acts 1:8; 2:4; 15:8‑9; Romans 5:3‑5; 8:12‑17; 12:1‑2; I Corinthians 6:11; 12:4‑11; Galatians 5:22‑25; Ephesians 4:22‑24; I Thessalonians 4:7; 5:23‑24; II Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 10:14.

 

4.4.  Restoration – Matthew 12:31‑32; 18:21‑22; Romans 6:1‑2; Galatians 6:1; I John 1:9; 2:1‑2; 5:16‑17; Revelation 2:5; 3:19‑20.

5.      THE CHURCH

 

5.1.    The Church – Matthew 16:15‑18; 18:17; Acts 2:41‑47; 9:31; 12:5; 14:23‑26; 15:22; 20:28; I Corinthians 1:2; 11:23; 12:28; 16:1; Ephesians 1:22‑23; 2:19‑22; 3:9‑10; 5:22‑23; Colossians 1:18; I Timothy 3:14‑15.

 

5.2.  The Language of Worship – Nehemiah 8:5,6,8; Matthew 6:7; I Corinthians 14:6‑9;
I Corinthians 14:23‑25.

 

5.3.  The Holy Sacraments – Matthew 26:26‑29; 28:19; Acts 22:16; Romans 4:11;
I Corinthians 10:16‑17; 11:23‑26; Galatians 3:27.

 

5.3.1.        Baptism – Acts 2:38,41; 8:12‑17; 9:18; 16:33; 18:8; 19:5; John 3:5;
I Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27‑29; Colossians 2:11‑12; Titus 3:5.

 

5.3.2.    The Lord’s Supper – Mark 14:22‑24; John 6:53‑58; Acts 2:46;
I Corinthians 5:7‑8; 10:16; 11:20,23‑29.

 

6.      LAST THINGS

 

6.1.    The Kingdom of God – Matthew 6:10; 19:20; 24:14; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:19‑23;
I Corinthians 15:20‑25; Philippians 2:9‑10; I Thessalonians 4:15‑17; II Thessalonians 1:5‑12; II Peter 3:3‑10; Revelation 14:6; 21:3‑8; 22:1‑5,17.

 

6.2.  The Return of Christ – Matthew 24:1‑51; 26:64; Mark 13:26‑27; Luke 17:26‑37; John 14:1‑3; Acts 1:9‑11; I Thessalonians 4:13‑18; Titus 2:11‑14; Hebrews 9:27‑28; Revelation 1:7; 19:11‑16; 22:6‑7,12,20.

 

6.3.  Resurrection – John 5:28‑29; I Corinthians 15:20,51‑57; II Corinthians 4:13‑14.

 

6.4.  Judgment – Matthew 25:31‑46; Luke 11:31‑32; Acts 10:42; 17:31; Romans 2:5‑16; 14:10‑11; II Corinthians 5:6‑10; Hebrews 9:27‑28; 10:26‑31; II Peter 3:7.

 

6.5.  Destiny – Mark 9:42‑48; John 14:3; Hebrews 2:1‑3; Revelation 20:11‑15; 21:22‑27.


MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBERSHIP COVENANT

 

¶150 Membership

 

            The privileges and requirements of membership in the church are constitutional, and changes therein may be made only by amendment according to ¶¶225-228.  Nothing shall be included in the membership ritual that is contrary to the following definitions of conditions and privileges of membership.

 

¶151 The Requirements of Membership are:

 

1.      Christian baptism, confession of a personal experience in regeneration, and a pledge to seek diligently until sanctified wholly if that experience has not been attained.

2.      Acceptance of the Articles of Religion, the Membership Covenant, the goals for Christian conduct, and matters of church government as written in the Book of Discipline or its equivalent (The Manual).

3.      A covenant to support the church, to live in fellowship with the member thereof, and to seek God’s glory in all things.

4.      Approval of membership by the official board and the candidate’s public declaration of membership vows.

 

¶152          The Rights of Membership are:

 

1.      To vote and hold office upon reaching the age designated by the general conference.

2.      Trial and appeal if charged with failure to maintain the conditions of membership, with the specific provision that joining another religious denomination or sect shall of itself sever membership in the church without trial.

 

¶153 Church Membership May be Terminated Only by:

 

1.      Voluntary withdrawal (including permission to withdraw under complaint).

2.      Joining another religious denomination or sect or a secret order.

3.      Expulsion after proper summary proceeding, or trial and conviction.

4.      Persistent neglect of church relationship by a member residing at a distance from  pastoral  and church supervision, which in effect is voluntary withdrawal.

 

¶154 Privilege and Responsibility

 

Membership in the church is a high privilege and responsibility.  We believe the covenant required of members is consistent with the teaching of the written Word of God.  Faithfulness to the covenant is evidence of the individual member’s desire to sustain a saving relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord, to bring glory to God, to advance the cause of God on earth, to preserve the unity of the body of Christ, and to cherish the fellowship of the Free Methodist Church.

 


¶155 Membership Accountability

 

When a member does not keep his covenant and habitually violates his vows, it is the responsibility of minister and members to point to the failure and to seek in love to restore the member.  If, after these steps have been taken, the member does not keep his commitments, he must be dealt with in accord with the due processes of the church.

 

 

¶156 MEMBERSHIP CONFESSION, COMMITMENT AND COVENANT

 

A member of the Free Methodist Church, trusting in the enablement of the Holy Spirit and seeking the support of the other members of the church, makes the following confession and commitments as a covenant with the Lord and the church.

 

 

THE MEMBERSHIP COVENANT

 

We confess Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.  By faith, we walk with Him.  We commit ourselves to know Him in His full sanctifying grace.

 

¶157 As Regards God

        

         As God’s people, we reverence and worship Him.

         We commit ourselves to cultivate habits of Christian devotion, submitting to mutual accountability, practicing private and corporate prayer, studying the Scriptures, attending public worship, and partaking of Holy Communion;    

 

         We commit ourselves to observe the Lord’s Day, setting it apart for worship, renewal, and service;

 

         We commit ourselves to give our loyalty to Christ and the church, refraining from any alliance which compromises our Christian commitment.

 

         This we do, by God’s grace and power.

 

 

¶158 As Regards Ourselves and Others

        

         As a people, we live wholesome and holy lives and show mercy to all, ministering to both their physical and spiritual needs.

 

         We commit ourselves to be free from habits and attitudes that defile the mind and harm the body, or promote the same;

 

         We commit ourselves to respect the worth of all persons as created in the image of God;

 

         We commit ourselves to strive to be just and honest in all our relationships and dealings.


 

         This we do, by God’s grace and power.


¶159 As Regards the Institutions of God

        

         As a people, we honour and support the God-ordained institutions of family, state, and church.

 

         We commit ourselves to honour the sanctity of marriage and the family;

         We commit ourselves to value and nurture children, guiding them to faith in Christ;

         We commit ourselves to seek to be responsible citizens, and to pray for all who lead.

         This we do, by God’s grace and power.

 

¶160 As Regards the Church

 

         As God’s people, we express the life of Christ in the world.

 

         We commit ourselves to contribute to unity in the church, cultivating integrity, love, and understanding in all our relationships;

 

         We commit ourselves to practice the principles of Christian stewardship, for the glory of God and the growth of the church;

 

         We commit ourselves to go into our world and make disciples.

 

This we do, by God’s grace and power.

 

 

 


¶161 THE QUESTIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP*

 

Pastor:        Beloved in the Lord, you have been baptized into Christ and come now to be received into membership in this congregation of the Free Methodist Church.  We rejoice, with you, in all God’s mercies that have brought you to this hour; and we join our prayers with yours as you make this sacred undertaking.

 

Pastor:       1.  Do you have the assurance that God has forgiven your sins through faith in Jesus Christ?

 

Candidate: I do.

 

Pastor:       2.  Do you believe the Bible is God’s written word, uniquely inspired by the Holy Spirit and do you accept its authority for what you must believe and how you must live?

 

Candidate: I do.

 

Pastor:       3.   Do you here resolve, by God’s grace, to be Christ-like in heart and life, opening yourself fully to the cleansing and empowering ministry of the Holy Spirit, the guidance of the Scriptures, and the nurture and fellowship of this church?

 

Candidate: By God’s enabling grace, I do resolve.

 

Pastor:       4.   Do you accept the Articles of Religion, the Membership Covenant, the goals for Christian conduct, and the government of the Free Methodist Church, and will you endeavor to live in harmony with them?

 
Candidate: Trusting God’s power to aid me, I do.

 

Pastor:       5.   As a follower of Jesus Christ, will you embrace the mission of the Free Methodist Church within and beyond this congregation, and will you join us in giving sacrificially of your time, talents and resources to help us carry out that mission?

 
Candidate: With God’s help, I will.

 

Pastor:       I offer you the right hand of fellowship.  I welcome you into The Free Methodist Church.  May the experience of membership in this body enrich your life and the life of our church; and may your contribution to its life strengthen both you and all of us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


*  Paragraphs 161-164 are a uniquely Canadian re-arrangement of materials.  They are not part of the actual Constitution of the World Free Methodist Church, but are placed here together for convenience of reference with respect to membership matters.


¶162 YOUTH MEMBERSHIP*

 

1.             All members under the legal age as defined by applicable provincial or federal legislation shall be known as youth members. They are not eligible to vote in business meetings.

           

2.             The official board shall review the names of youth members at least once each year.  Upon reaching the legal age, youth members may be approved by the Official Board for adult membership.  To be admitted to the voting membership they must answer satisfactorily the questions of adult membership.

 

 

 

¶163 QUESTIONS FOR YOUTH MEMBERSHIP*

 

Pastor:   1.    Do you believe that Jesus Christ has forgiven your sins and is now your Saviour?

 

Candidate:      Yes.

 

Pastor:   2.   Have you received Christian baptism?  If not, are you willing to be baptized?

 

Candidate:      Yes.

 

Pastor:   3.    Will you attend classes of instruction on living the Christian life and serving God

                     through your church?

 

Candidate:      Yes.

 

Pastor:   4.   Can the Free Methodist Church count on you?  Will you pray for the church, attend regularly, give to your church and help wherever you can?

 

Candidate:      Yes.

 

Pastor:   5.   Will you show your friends by the way you live what it means to be a Christian and will you try to win them to Christ?

 

Candidate:      Yes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


*  Paragraphs 161-164 are a uniquely Canadian re-arrangement of materials.  They are not part of the actual Constitution of the World Free Methodist Church, but are placed here together for convenience of reference with respect to membership matters.

 


¶164 TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP*

 

1.             Only a member desiring to move to another society or to unite with another evangelical church is entitled to a letter of transfer, and if in good standing, shall receive it upon request.

 

2.             A member wishing to transfer to another society must have a letter of transfer from the pastor. (See Local Church in ¶380.) Without such letter, no one shall be transferred into membership in another place.

 

         When pastors give such a letter of transfer, they shall at once give notice of the fact to the pastor of the society to which the letter is addressed.  The letter of transfer is valid for one year.

 

         Members holding a letter shall remain a member of, and be amenable to, the society, by which the letter was given until it is presented to another society, which shall receive the member into membership.  After that, members shall be responsible to the new society for their conduct including that during the time the letter was held.

 

         It shall be the duty of the pastor receiving the letter to notify the pastor who gave it. (See Local Church in ¶380.)

 

3       A letter may be given to a member of the church who wishes to unite with another evangelical denomination. (See Local Church in ¶380.)

 

4.      A youth member may be transferred to another society by the pastor’s giving of a letter of transfer. (See Local Church in ¶380.)

 

5.      Members received by transfer shall be introduced to the congregation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


*  Paragraphs 161-164 are a uniquely Canadian re-arrangement of materials.  They are not part of the actual Constitution of the World Free Methodist Church, but are placed here together for convenience of reference with respect to membership matters.