by David Pritchard In “Celebration of Discipline,” Richard J. Foster writes about the impact of prayer in our lives and the lives of others. In reading Foster’s chapter on prayer, I began thinking about church membership, and I was reminded that our ultimate membership lies in the family of God. We are at prayer for [...]

by David Pritchard In his book “Belonging,” Bishop Emeritus Donald N. Bastian explains Free Methodist belief in entire sanctification: “Methodism has taught that if the purification of the soul from sin is a work of God’s grace, then it may be completed in this life in response to the consecration and faith of the believer.” [...]

by David Pritchard Consider the similarities between faith and fitness. Both can provide a sense of community.  A gym offers the opportunity to be around people with similar interests, goals and values. A small measure of accountability occurs when members recognize other members’ absences. The Free Methodist Church also unites people with similar interests, goals [...]

by Jeffrey P. Johnson In 2004, I invited some pastors in Guatemala to join the Free Methodist Church. After several meetings, I gave each a copy of the “Book of Discipline” and asked them to read it to see if they agreed with the Articles of Religion, the History and Polity, and the Membership Covenant. [...]

by Bishop Matt Thomas Most of us like to be a part of something positive, moving and fruitful. We like to be involved in the conversation and to be considered a valuable part of something moving forward. When something good happens, people emerge to take at least partial credit for the success: “I was on [...]

by Pam Braman My body lets me know I’m getting older. Injuries take longer to heal. Weight goes on faster. My knees creak when I get up from kneeling. So why don’t I get rid of my body? Well, it’s the only body I have. If I get rid of it, I die. Then why [...]

by Bishop Emeritus Donald N. Bastian Around 1905, a young couple emigrated from Lancashire, England, to the rolling prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada. They were in their early 20s and thought becoming homesteaders in the New World would give them a brighter future than staying in their coal-mining village in England. Soon after they settled three [...]

by Michael J. Metts David Baker is one of the world’s foremost jazz educators. With more than 2,000 compositions, 400 articles, 65 recordings, 60 books and 59 awards to his name, he has also served many music-related organizations, including as past president of the International Association for Jazz Education. Despite Baker’s renowned career, he’s described [...]

by Jeff Finley How can a Free Methodist conference promote fellowship and unity when it stretches from Montana to Illinois? The North Central Conference has found a way through annual GROW events, which allow congregations in each of the conference’s six districts to “gather to retool for outward focus and worship.” This year’s theme is [...]

by Michael J. Metts Jan. 12 marked the two-year anniversary of the 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti. “In these two years, there have been a lot of things accomplished,” said Jean Marc Zamor, a Haitian church leader. “We thank God, and we thank the international community, which has stepped up and helped.” International support remains [...]

by David Pritchard Have you heard the story about a pastor visiting a man who decided he didn’t need to attend church? The pastor, without saying a word, grabbed tongs and pulled a burning ember from the man’s fireplace. They both watched the ember turn cold. The pastor put the ember back into the fire, [...]

by Victor Shepherd I will never forget the man who found the courage to pour out before me his heart-wrenching confession of sin. He articulated it despite his shame and humiliation only because he trusted me to help him. Aware of his predicament and fragility, I summoned all the pastoral wisdom I could find within [...]