B.T. & Ellen Roberts

His “Mission Statement”…so should we! The early Free Methodists believed that since Jesus claimed this as part of His “Mission Statement”…so should we!

the Free Methodist Church expressed At its inception in 1860, the Free Methodist Church expressed its Mission as two-fold: “to maintain the Bible standard of Christianity (holiness) and to preach the gospel to the poor.”

“My husband felt we must get a place of worship in the heart of the city, where the gospel could be preached to the poor. He could see no way of doing it except he gave our home towards it. It was all we had. I looked the matter over. We had three children…

for blessings not received, begin to “I thought of the way the disciples ‘sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all men as every man had need.’ Let those who have prayed long for blessings not received, begin to feed the poor, clothe the naked, and yield themselves and their substance to the Lord as if they meant it…

(Wife of F.M.C. Founder, B.T. Roberts) “… and He will pour out blessings that will measure beyond their desires and expectations.” Ellen Roberts (Wife of F.M.C. Founder, B.T. Roberts)

The first Free Methodists felt called (Luke 7:22) to preach to the poor and worked strenuously to improve their situation. Shelters, hospitals, city missions, and relief for unwed mothers are some of the ministries that began in the late 19th century and continue on in some form to the present day.

could have reserved spots to sit for worship. “Free Seats in Church” Although no longer an official stance in much of the world, the Methodist Episcopal Church permitted “sold pews”, where families could have reserved spots to sit for worship. Space permitting, poor or African-Americans were “welcome” to stand for free in the back.

“Freedom for all people to be treated with dignity” In a world where the poor and those of other races can be treated with disrespect, The church should be a place of love and healing….where humans (with the help of Jesus) can restore healthy, dignified relationships.

Freedom for all races to worship Jesus Christ together in unity.

“Freedom from Slavery From the earliest days of Methodism to now with the Set Free Movement, The FMC is an abolitionist movement, fueled by the power of Jesus who has come to “free the captives.”

Holy Spirit to lead and inspire our worship. Freedom of the Holy Spirit to lead and inspire our worship.

Simplicity: The Hidden Key to Freedom The early Free Methodists strived to remain “simple” in a few key areas: in dress, in building style, in Worship Services This was all done to steward “God’s money” and to make the poor comfortable.

Freedom of Women and Men to be Treated Respectfully and to Use Their Gifts Equally in the Church, Home, and the World named after Junia, likely a female apostle (See Romans 16:7)

the Laity and the Clergy to be Given Equal Authority and Freedom of the Laity and the Clergy to be Given Equal Authority and Decision-Making Positions Within the Local Church

Freedom from Vows of Secrecy We value freedom and openness in our relationships and loyalties, so the truth may always be spoken freely. Therefore, we abstain from membership in secret societies and are loyal to Jesus first.

“Free from a life of sin” Holding firmly to John Wesley’s doctrine of “entire sanctification”, The FMC believes that humans need not remain under the slavery of sin, but can be perfected in our desire to love God and love our neighbor.

the body, or promote the same. We also seek We commit ourselves to be free from activities and attitudes that defile the mind and harm the body, or promote the same. We also seek to keep ourselves free from addictions and compulsions. To better honor and serve Jesus, we abstain from whatever damages, destroys or distorts His life in us.

“I’ve Got No Strings” “I've got no strings to hold me down To make me fret, or make me frown I had strings, but now I'm free. There are no strings on me! I've got no strings, so I have fun. I'm not tied to anyone. How I love my liberty! There are no strings on me!”

Romans 6: 15-23 Paul encourages Christians to grasp the freedom that they have from sin…that they were slaves to sin. In order to not return to that life of death… one must become a “slave” of God. This leads to true freedom!

The “Freedoms” of the FMC * Freedom from a life of sin and addiction * Freedom of all people from slavery * Freedom to “live simply” for the Gospel * Freedom of the poor to be treated w/ dignity * Freedom to worship in unity, led by the Spirit * Freedom of men & women to serve equally * Freedom of the Laity & Clergy to partner * Freedom from Vows of Secrecy