The Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches (FIMC) is a Methodist denomination aligned with the conservative holiness movement that is based in the British Isles, with mission partners around the world.[1]
The history of the Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches is a part of the larger history of Methodism in the British Isles, with the connexion forming as the result of a number of congregations departing both the Methodist Church in Ireland and the Free Methodist Church in 1973 due to the rise of liberalism in those denominations.[2][3][4]
The fellowship is theologically conservative, aiming to uphold the original ethos of early Methodism.[5] Though each congregation calls its own minister, a General Council of ministers and delegates meet monthly to manage the work of the FIMC.[3]
Local congregations use the abbreviation "IMC" after their name, e.g. Omagh IMC, representing the full name Omagh Independent Methodist Church.[6]
The Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches adheres to Wesleyan theology, teaching two sacraments, Baptism and Communion.[7] It holds to the Methodist two-pronged emphasis of the New Birth (a first work of grace) and entire sanctification (a second definite work of grace).[8][9] From its inception the Fellowship has had a strong evangelistic thrust regularly carrying out various forms of gospel outreach throughout Northern Ireland.
A quarterly magazine called The Alert is regularly published by the Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches.[6]
References
- ↑ Megahey, Alan (17 August 2000). The Irish Protestant Churches in the Twentieth Century. Springer. p. 154. ISBN 978-0-230-28851-5.
- ↑ Matthews, Rex Dale (2007). Timetables of History for Students of Methodism. Abingdon Press. p. 231. ISBN 978-0-687-33387-5.
- 1 2 Cooney, Dudley Levistone (2001). The Methodists in Ireland: A Short History. Columba Press. p. 120. ISBN 978-1-85607-335-6.
- ↑ John Vickers (2008). "Free Methodist Church". A Dictionary of Methodism in Britain and Ireland. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ↑ Johnson, Paul; Vanderbeck, Robert (9 May 2014). Law, Religion and Homosexuality. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-135-05518-9.
- 1 2 Brown, James; Brown, Katie (2021). "Outreach in Ipswich". The Alert: 2021 - Oct. p. 10-12.
- ↑ "Statement of Faith". Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches. 31 January 2022. Archived from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
- ↑ Turley, F. J. (2012). "Holiness". The Alert. 2 (29): 14-15.
- ↑ "Brief Description". Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches. 26 January 2022. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.