WHAT IS A FREE METHODIST?

People sometimes ask us, "Why are you called Free Methodists?" "What's the difference between Free Methodists and Methodists?" And, "What are you like?" Free Methodists are people with a rich heritage. As the name implies, Free Methodists trace their roots back to original Methodism and its founder John Wesley. When the movement came to America it began to spread rapidly across the country and in 1860 this new denomination came into being in upstate New York.

Free Methodists get their name primarily because they believed it was improper to charge for better seats closer to the pulpit, a practice well established at the time. But they were also opposed to slavery and called for the abolition of slavery and "freedom" throughout the United States. Beyond that, they advocated "freedom" from secret societies and "freedom" in worship which was in sharp contrast to the deadening formalism of the day.

Today, "Free" Methodists still value worship that is experiential, participatory and challenges us to address the spiritual changes necessary for living an authentic faith within our changing culture. Their deep desire is to help people everywhere experience God's call to wholeness through forgiveness and holiness in Jesus Christ. As a result, the movement has maintained the heritage of original Methodism with its warm-hearted, biblical message and the desire to represent Jesus Christ both in teaching and practice.