The Manual

¶750 CHRISTIAN NURTURE Images of growth and development abound in the New Testament. The Free Methodist Church seeks to help every believer to grow up into Christ (see Ephesians 4). Initiation into the life of the kingdom involves a variety of components: Conversion (regeneration of persons repentant and trusting in […]

¶740 Christian Compassion and Justice Ministries The God we worship has a heart for the lost and hurting. He is a God of justice and truth. The Old Testament prophets insisted that God always demands righteousness and justice. They kept reminding people that the people of this God must, as

¶730 CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Life in Christ is a shared life. The term “fellowship” comes from a word meaning “common.” It can also mean to “share”, “to have a share,” “to give a share” (see Philippians 3:10: “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection, and share ‘fellowship

¶720 CHRISTIAN EVANGELISM (LOCAL AND GLOBAL) Biblical Principles The modern church has tended towards a theology of evangelism that focuses primarily on conversion, emphasizing the role of the believer to “win others to Christ”. It is important to re-affirm a broader view of God’s desire for “salvation” not just conversion.

¶718 DEDICATION OF CHURCHES WORDS AND PRAYERS OF DEDICATION DEDICATORY PRAYER O eternal God, You are mighty in power and glorious in majesty. The heavens cannot contain Your glory, much less the walls of buildings made with hands, and yet You have been pleased to promise Your special presence wherever

¶717 THE QUESTIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP Pastor: Beloved in the Lord, you have been baptized into Christ and come now to be received into membership in this congregation of the Free Methodist Church. We rejoice, with you, in all God’s mercies that have brought you to this hour; and we join

¶716 THE FUNERAL SERVICE [The minister may use the following order of worship at the church or chapel.] OPENING SENTENCES, such as “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never

¶715 THE SOLEMNIZATION OF MARRIAGE Provincial authorization for the registration of a marriage may be granted in one of two ways: by the procurement of a marriage license by the man and woman to be married, or by the publication of banns, if applicable in their province. Those officiating at

¶714.2 Affirmation of Baptismal Vows Dear friends in Christ, in your infancy your parents presented you at the altar of the church for the Sacrament of Baptism. That service was one of both dedication and consecration. Your parents dedicated you to the Lord and took vows on your behalf. They

¶714.1 Baptism of Non-Infant Children Under Twelve In lieu of the questions to parents or guardians (in ¶712), the following may be asked candidates for baptism who are under twelve years of age. 1. Do you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, and do you desire to