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The Evangelical Methodist Church

catechism the journey of faith __________

“We should so work as if we were to be saved by our works; And so rely on Jesus Christ, as if we did no works.” —Francis Asbury: God’s Circuit Rider (1745-1816)

The Evangelical Methodist Church

CATECHISM Published by the authority of the 30th General Conference of the Evangelical Methodist Church, held in Indianapolis, Indiana March 12-15, 2010 General Editor: Dr. Edward W. Williamson, General Superintendent Department of Publications Editor: Mrs. Peggy Trim, Deaconess

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the Department of Publications. All Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible unless otherwise noted. Printed in USA by 48HrBooks (www.48HrBooks.com)

Evangelical Methodist Church International Headquarters P. O. Box 17070 Indianapolis, IN 46217 Location: 6838 South Gray Road Indianapolis, IN 46237

Additional copies of this publication may be ordered by contacting the Department of Publications at:

Phone: 317-780-8017 Email: publications@emchurch.org www.emchurch.org

Table of Contents Foreword .................................................................................. 6 Lesson 1: Our History and Commitment ............................... 7 Lesson 2: The Articles of Religion ....................................... 15 Lesson 3: A Biblical View of the Scriptures ........................ 39 Lesson 4: A Biblical View of God and Humanity ................. 41 Lesson 5: A Biblical View of Sin and Redemption .............. 47 Lesson 6: A Biblical View of God’s Plan for Salvation ........ 51 Lesson 7: Sanctification ..................................................... 55 Lesson 8: A Biblical View of the Church and the Sacraments ......................................................... 59 Lesson 9: A Biblical View of Eternity .................................. 65 Lesson 10: Missions ............................................................ 69 Lesson 11: Our Government: Congregational and Connectional ............................................... 79 Lesson 12: Membership Responsibility ………. .................... 83 Lesson 13: Membership ...................................................... 89 Membership Covenant ...................................... 90 Appendix A: John Wesley’s The Scripture Way of Salvation A Break-Through Sermon .................................... 91 Appendix B: The Scripture Way of Salvation, John Wesley’s Sermon in Modern English … ............... 99 Appendix C: Explanatory Notes, Evangelical Methodist Articles of Faith ……………………… ................. 113 Appendix D: Basic Denominational Principles .................. …..127 Answers to Lesson Questions ................................................ 129

Forward The General Board of Christian Education congratulates you for taking this step in expanding your knowledge of the basic doctrinal teachings to which the Evangelical Methodist Church adheres. The EMC is Wesleyan in doctrine which promotes purity of heart and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is the desire of this Board that as you embark upon your journey through this study you will come to know the EMC better and appreciate its stand for holiness. While this study perhaps will not answer all your questions, it will serve as a foundation upon which you, as a student, may build your understanding of the Wesleyan tradition. As you work your way through this study, you will not only develop a better understanding of what the EMC is, but also establish personal disciplines of study which will serve you well as you grow in your personal relationship with the Lord. While this study gives you a basic understanding of the EMC, it also gives you information for becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. Another study, Discipleship Training, A Venture in Learning and Accountability offered by the General Board of Christian Education, will help you become more disciplined in your daily walk with the Lord. It will also give you tools to disciple others, thus fulfilling the Great Commission that Jesus gave the Church while it waits for His return. The pastor and lay leaders will enlarge and supplement this material to accommodate their local church mission statement and unique missional ministries. 2010-2014 General Board of Christian Education Members: Rev. Debbie Miller, Chair Rev. Dan Cottrell Dr. William Dean Rev. John Gentry Mr. Benoit Kitenge Rev. Robert Perkins Rev. Daniel Stiles

esson 11

Our Government: Congregational & Connectional The Evangelical Methodist Church believes in a connectional and congregational form of government. Connectional means we operate under one rule of law which in historic Methodistism is the Discipline, which details the operations of our government. The Discipline gives clear guidance to our local churches regarding their theological and governmental positions. It also describes the process by which a local congregation becomes affiliated with the Evangelical Methodist Church. Local Church One of the most important pieces in the Evangelical Methodist denomination is the organization of the local church; it gives the voice in all matters of the denomination. Boards The local church has two boards that are charged with specific areas. The Board of Trustees is composed of three to nine members who are empowered under state laws of incorporation to: 1) Hold the title to all church property, accept bequests, endowments, and such other valuables as the church may acquire, accept tithes and offerings of the regular church budget and to administer the same in accordance with the wishes of the donors. 2) Transact a sale of property when authorized by the congregation. In the event of such sale, proceeds are to be deposited in the name of the local church and disposition made in accordance with the wishes of the congregation. 3) Transact all legal business, safeguarding church property. 4) Make a written report to the Annual Church Conference. 79

5) Elect a chairman and secretary of trustees from among their members at the first meeting of the trustees immediately after the Annual Church Conference. The Board of Stewards is composed of three or more members elected by the congregation. They are responsible for carrying out the programs and the business of the local church. Committees In addition to boards, the church may have several committees which also provide oversight on matters relating to the administration and operation of the church. Some of those committees found at the local level might be Auditing, Evangelism, Finance, Membership, Music, Nominating, and the Pastoral Relations Committee. Property Rights Property rights are vested with respect to ownership and maintenance and held in trust to the local church by the trustees. The General Conference may make provision for the holding of property when mission money or general funds are involved. Calling a Pastor The local churchâ€™s Pastoral Relations Committee and the conference superintendents have the responsibility of finding pastoral candidates for the local church. This committee is composed of six members elected at the Annual Church Conference. Divine guidance is needed for this serious decision that needs to be made by the congregation. In the historical Methodist connectional hierarchy of church government, all churches affiliated with the Evangelical Methodist denomination operate under the Discipline. The Discipline contains the constitution and by-laws duly adopted by all the local churches affiliated with the denomination in a meeting called the General Conference which is held every four years. The ministry of the pulpit falls exclusively under the connectional supervision and control of the General Conference, including the ministerial credential process, approval and recommendation of a pastor to the local church as a pastoral candidate, and the preaching of the message of biblical holiness in the Wesleyan Arminian tradition.

The Handbook of the Evangelical Methodist Church contains the principled policies based upon the statements made in the Discipline and General Conference legislation. The Handbook keeps the practices of the church, local, district, and general consistent across the denomination in accordance with the Discipline. The Handbook governs our procedures for alignment with the Discipline, instead of various practices evolved from personal interpretation. The Evangelical Methodist Church International Headquarters is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and houses the offices of the general superintendent, secretary, treasurer, and the Department of Publications. The general church consists of the North American Conference which includes Canada. There are mission conferences in Mexico and Myanmar. We believe that the congregational and connectional form of government is a democratic and effective way to advance the cause of Christ. It provides opportunity for individual members of local congregations to voice their concerns, visions and wishes for the direction of our church. We are able to pursue the cause of Christ around the world. Lesson 11 - REVIEW 1. The Evangelical Methodist Church International Headquarters is located where?____________________________________ 2. Give the names of two boards at the local church level? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ 3. What is the responsibility of the Board of Stewards? ________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ 4. How often are the General Conferences held? ____________ 5. Whose responsibility is it to find pastoral candidates for the local church? _______________________________________ 81

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