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The '''Free Methodist Church''' is an American-based branch of historic Methodism. Shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War, certain Methodist Episcopal pastors led by Benjamin T. Roberts came into conflict with their regional leadership over their perception that the Methodist Episcopal Church was drifting from its traditional standards. The church's leadership was unmoved by Pastor Roberts' concerns, leading ultimately to his expulsion.
Meeting in New York State, Roberts' followers founded a new church in 1860. Because they were concerned about issues that could be termed “freedoms,” the name
"Free" Methodist Church was chosen for the new body. Among those issues were the anti-slavery cause and ending the practice of "pew rent" by which wealthy members of the church had been permitted to pay for (and so reserve for their exclusive use) the particular church seating they preferred.
The Free Methodist Church is a “modified episcopacy." Geographical regions are overseen by [[bishop]]s, but the number of Free Methodist bishops is far less than most other episcopally-governed Christian churches have. Connections between local units of the church are stressed, but much latitude is allowed each congregation in the matter of ritual, vestments, and other matters.
Like other Methodist bodies, the Free Methodist Church is a [[Holiness]] and an [[Arminian]] church with a strong emphasis on charitable works, evangelism, and personal sanctity. The doctrine of the [[real presence]] in the sacrament of Communion is affirmed. Both infants and older persons are baptised, according to the decision of the family or individual. The mode of baptism may be immersion, affusion (pouring), or, less commonly, sprinkling.
In 2010 there were approximately 1,000 Free Methodist churches with 74,000 members in the United States and 730,000 members worldwide. The Free Methodist Church is a member of the National Association of Evangelicals, Christian Holiness Partnership, and the World Methodist Council.
Meeting in New York State, Roberts' followers founded a new church in 1860. Because they were concerned about issues that could be termed “freedoms,” the name
"Free" Methodist Church was chosen for the new body. Among those issues were the anti-slavery cause and ending the practice of "pew rent" by which wealthy members of the church had been permitted to pay for (and so reserve for their exclusive use) the particular church seating they preferred.
The Free Methodist Church is a “modified episcopacy." Geographical regions are overseen by [[bishop]]s, but the number of Free Methodist bishops is far less than most other episcopally-governed Christian churches have. Connections between local units of the church are stressed, but much latitude is allowed each congregation in the matter of ritual, vestments, and other matters.
Like other Methodist bodies, the Free Methodist Church is a [[Holiness]] and an [[Arminian]] church with a strong emphasis on charitable works, evangelism, and personal sanctity. The doctrine of the [[real presence]] in the sacrament of Communion is affirmed. Both infants and older persons are baptised, according to the decision of the family or individual. The mode of baptism may be immersion, affusion (pouring), or, less commonly, sprinkling.
In 2010 there were approximately 1,000 Free Methodist churches with 74,000 members in the United States and 730,000 members worldwide. The Free Methodist Church is a member of the National Association of Evangelicals, Christian Holiness Partnership, and the World Methodist Council.