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Becoming an Evangelcial Methodist Local Church
We welcome inquiries from ministers and lay church members from our wider Wesleyan traditions who desire to affiliate with the Evangelical Methodist Church denomination. In a day of historic denominations exchanging their biblical roots for 21st century relativism and rejection of biblical authority, the Evangelical Methodist Church maintains and practices the original articles of historic Methodism. Due to inquires from people who desire their local church and ministerial credentials of their pastor(s) transferred to our denominational family we offer these guidelines. The Cabinet of Superintendents created the guidelines in order to maintain integrity and ethical accountability before the Lord.
- Should a group of people seeking to dissolve its relationship with a congregation and/or denomination make contact with the Evangelical Methodist Church, counsel is available concerning the appropriate process of becoming an Evangelical Methodist Church.
- Official affiliation papers cannot be signed with the Evangelical Methodist Church when a congregation occupies church facilities and properties which are encumbered with another denomination. This may not be an issue for churches whose property rights are vested with the congregation.
- We recognize the emotional attachments to historic church buildings. Where the denomination and not the local congregation own such a building and property, we have experienced repeated situations where God honors the establishment of a new EMC congregation that is willing to trust God for a new building and property. The prophet pointed Amaziah to obedience of God’s will and answered his inquiry about the losing his investment with these words, ‘The man of God replied, “The Lord can give you much more than that.”‘ (2 Chronicles 25:9)
- A unified core group and a pastor committed to biblical orthodoxy teamed with our District Superintendents and Board of Evangelism may under God’s blessing establish a new Evangelical Methodist Church in your community.
- In a situation where the local church’s present affiliation is with one of our sister denominations in the Christian Holiness Partnership, an open interchange of communication will be maintained between the denominational leadership of all parties who have vested interest in that local church.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING A REQUEST:
The EMC is connectional (congregational in property ownership and the final vote on a pastoral candidate) and churches desiring to unite with the Evangelical Methodist Church shall sign the following affiliation resolution and secure the approval of the District Conference, the District Superintendent and the General Superintendent.
The Affiliation Resolution is an application for uniting as a local church with the denomination. Following reception of the Affiliation Resolution, the District Superintendent of the Conference in which the local church is located will make a contact and begin the process toward a full connectional affiliation.
Please return the signed Affiliation Resolution to International Headquarters. The General Secretary will send copies to the District Superintendent who shall forward one copy to the District Conference Secretary.
SAMPLE FOR REVIEW:
Resolution of a congregation located at ______________ desiring to be known as the _______ Evangelical Methodist Church of _____________ requesting formal affiliation with the Evangelical Methodist Church, with Headquarters at Indianapolis, Indiana.
WHEREAS, this congregation desiring to be known as the _________ Evangelical Methodist Church of _____________ has accepted as to general practice and ritual that body of religious doctrine, and that collection of rules and procedure and organization entitled, Discipline of the Evangelical Methodist Church, and
WHEREAS, this congregation desires to formally affiliate with, have membership in, support the spiritual and financial programs of said Evangelical Methodist Church, and to send delegates to its Conferences;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by this congregation on this _________ day of ____________ in the year ______ that they request said Evangelical Methodist Church accept and approve this request for affiliation and acknowledge that acceptance and approval.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of this congregation is hereby authorized and directed to send three (3) true copies of this Affiliation Resolution, duly certified by him (her) to be such, to the District Superintendent.
CERTIFICATION:
I, ________________________, the duly elected and acting Secretary in charge of the Minute Book and records of this congregation, hereby certify this to be a full, true and correct record of action taken by this congregation in a legal meeting held on the ____ day of _________ in the year ______, and that the action has not been modified or rescinded and is at the date of this certification in full force and effect.
In witness whereof, I the undersigned have executed this certificate in the presence of these witnesses this _______ day of _____________________ in the year __________.
______________________________, Secretary
Witnesses:
