How did the Free Methodist Church really come to be? The story goes much deeper than a simple church split. Bishop Kevin Mannoia traces the real forces that shaped our founding – from the “burned over district” of western New York to the personal convictions of Benjamin Titus Roberts and Ellen Stowe.
Understanding this history reveals our DNA as ministry leaders. The early Free Methodists weren’t just reacting to problems – they were driven by their understanding of full salvation to address slavery, women’s suffrage, free pews, and spiritual authenticity. Their theology demanded both personal holiness and social transformation.
Kevin honestly addresses how the denomination sometimes fell short of its founders’ vision, particularly with women’s ordination and the Free Methodist Pentecost bands. Yet our core identity survived. This episode reveals three key characteristics that still define Free Methodist ministry: being more centered than bounded, more descriptive than prescriptive, and more relational than propositional.
Assignment: Find someone in your area who knows Free Methodist history and ask them to share regional stories. Also, explore the recommended books to understand our family story more deeply.
Note: This content is part of the forthcoming book “Living Our Name: Free Methodist Identity” – stay tuned for publication details.
Links:
FMCSC Website: https://fmcsc.org/
Ministry Training: https://fmcsc.org/training/
Identity Series Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL28rnyZQWTXk_tn2mlevUIdkU_OZUA0Ir
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