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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 12 Membership Responsibility

Christians believe that our new spiritual life begins when we respond to God's invitation to have a living personal relationship with Him. When we repent of our sins and surrender control of our lives to God, His life begins to flow through us. That divine energy enables us to live a life that reflects God's character. Because of His work in us, we respond gladly in obedience. The local pastor will identify your spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12), abilities and experience for ministry. Every person who becomes a member must have a ministry in the local church. We follow Ephesians 4:11-13 as our biblical model in mobilizing the local church for effective ministry. Baptism A prospective member must have received baptism, whether it is baptism by sprinkling, pouring or immersion. Repentance A prospective member must have renounced the devil and all his works, the glory of the world, the carnal desires of the flesh so that he/she will not follow or be led by them. Faith A prospective member must believe In God the Father Almighty, in Jesus Christ His only Son; he/she must believe that Jesus was born of a virgin, that He suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified, that He died for our sins, that he was buried on the third day and rose from the dead. That He ascended into heaven and is sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and that He shall come to judge the living and the dead. He/she must believe in the Holy Spirit, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Obedience A prospective member must keep Godâ€™s holy will and commandments and walk in the same all the days of his/her life.

Service A prospective member must be loyal to the Evangelical Methodist Church and uphold it in prayer, stewardship (responsible management of something entrusted to his/her care) of time, talents and treasure. Stewardship of our time involves the arranging of our priorities to be able to support our church by our presence at worship services, prayer meetings, Sunday school, visitation programs, business or committee meetings and any other activity which would strengthen the advancement of the kingdom through the local church. Stewardship of our talents means that every person possesses gifts or graces which are used for the building of the kingdom. Gifts may include administration, teaching, evangelism, exhortation, prayer, music, childrenâ€™s work and ministry to senior citizens. Stewardship of our treasure involves giving financially for the work of the church. Your financial support enables the church to carry on its outreach ministries as well as to provide programs and services for the membership. Every member should set aside the Lordâ€™s tithe (Malachi 3) for their Sunday offering. Tithing is a requirement for membership. Discipleship Discipleship is at the heart of the Great Commission. It is interesting to note that the only command in the great commission is not go, nor baptize, nor teach, but make disciples. Discipleship of believers is the only way of continuing the ministry and fulfilling the charge given us by our Lord. It involves spiritual growth that leads to service to others in the name of our Lord. To be a member of the Evangelical Methodist Church means to give selflessly in true discipleship. It means to learn how to live life for Christ and how to give of ourselves to others for Him. Some may be teachers, some may be preachers, some may be evangelists, but all must be ministers. Our responsibility involves discovering what role we play in the ministry of our Lord. Membership Rights and Responsibilities As a member you have a voice in the programs, nominations, elections, pastoral votes, and other decisions affecting the church. You hold full voting privileges in all annual and special 84

conferences. You are also eligible to serve on committees, boards, and to teach in the educational programs of the church. The Apostle Paul gives this simple admonition regarding our responsibilities within the body of Christ; “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3) Expectations of Evangelical Methodist Church Leadership (See also paragraphs 801-1066 in the Discipline and Handbook page 41.) "People expect the clergy to have the grace of a swan, the friendliness of a sparrow, the strength of an eagle and the night hours of an owl.... and some people expect such a bird to live on the food of a canary." ~Edward Jeffrey What should you expect of your pastor and other church leaders? Each leader is different in manner and style, but certain essentials exist: You have a right to expect your church leaders to serve God. You have a right to expect your church leaders to be Biblically grounded servant leaders. You have a right to expect your church leaders to live lives exemplifying Christian holiness. You have a right to expect your church leaders to serve in the Wesleyan/Methodist tradition. You have a right to expect your church leaders to serve the entire church, not forgetting, disdaining, or abusing either “the least of these” or the greatest. You have a right to expect your church leaders to scrutinize themselves and hold themselves – and each other, regardless of position – accountable in all things, being careful not to speak rashly, and not elevating themselves above everyone else as though they don’t understand; not debasing themselves, but striving to be a Christ-like example for everyone. You have a right to expect your local church boards and committees to be representative of the entire congregation, and that same expectation can be held for the USA Conference and General Conference. You have a right to expect your pastor, and all other leaders in the Evangelical Methodist Church, to be good stewards of

all the resources God has provided, not being wasteful or spending anything on themselves beyond the necessities, and enabling the church to do as Wesley put it: “gain all you can, save all you can, give all you can.” (See Lesson 2, discussion on Article 24.) You have a right to expect your pastor, and all other leaders in the Evangelical Methodist Church, to abide by the Discipline of the Evangelical Methodist Church in its entirety. You have a right to expect your church leaders to pray for you, sincerely wanting peace and all good in your life, and desiring not their will nor yours, but Christ's will in all things. What should the pastor and fellow church members expect of you? They have the right to expect your commitment and faithful service in one of the ministries of the church. They have the right to expect your faithful giving of the Lord’s tithe to the church and financial sacrifice when called upon for a special offering or project. They have the right to expect your prayers and verbal support of the pastor and the church. If an issue arises, you are committed to following Matthew 18 for bringing about resolution. They have a right to expect when you become a leader in the church, that you will set an example in your attendance to the worship services of the church, an example in tithing and service and assisting the pastor to carry out the mission and purpose of the church.

Lesson 12 â€“ REVIEW Membership Responsibility 1. What is the importance of the faith section in the requirements?

2. What does it mean to be good stewards of our time? What would be poor examples of time stewardship?

3. What does it mean to be good stewards of our talents? What are your talents that could be used for the work of the ministry?

4. What does it mean to be good stewards of our treasure? How can we be better stewards of our treasure?

5. What does it mean to renounce the devil and all his works? What are some of the ways in which Satan endeavors to draw us back into the world of sin and selfishness?

6. If someone asked you why you joined the Evangelical Methodist Church, what reasons might you give?

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