Love Does No Harm
If you suspect a member of your church is being abused by a family member, how do you respond? What if someone comes to you for counseling and asks whether it’s OK to leave a violent spouse? What if you’re counseling someone who has escaped domestic violence but is still struggling to find emotional and spiritual healing?
Light + Life Publishing’s new book, “Love Does No Harm,” belongs in the library of every pastor. Co-authors Judi Noble and Susi Limon have each experienced the freedom of life beyond domestic violence. Now they are helping others find hope and healing through the new book — a vital resource for pastors and Christian counselors as well as a life-giving curriculum for people trapped in domestic violence.
“It’s my passion to see generational, spiritual, emotional, physical abuse stopped, and that can only be done if we get the word out about what domestic violence really is and how it affects our generations. Does it affect our children and our children’s children?” said lead author Noble, the founder and president of Eagle’s Wings Ministries in Upland, California, on a new episode of The Light + Life Podcast. “If we can stop domestic violence in our generation, then we can definitely stop it in the next.”
When people in the church experience domestic violence, they may turn to a pastor for help. Noble advised pastors, “If you have a woman or a man come in and say, ‘I’m being abused,’ know that took the most incredible courage for them to come in and share that with you. … Hear them, listen to them, and believe them. … Believe them over and above what you think you know about their mate.”
A sense of shame and fear may keep a church member from sharing about an abusive partner, especially a spouse in the same church whom the member may feel like she or he is betraying. If the pastor doesn’t listen and believe the person, then it makes the abuse worse because most people only share about part of the domestic violence they have experienced. A pastor also should be cautious with counseling to avoid using the same approach as with other couples who have relationship problems.
“One more thing that I saw countless times be very damaging — especially to the woman — is if they tried to counsel the man and the woman — the abuser and the woman — together,” Noble said. “It just had horrific outcomes, because she couldn’t be honest, and if she was, then after the counseling session ended, she would unfortunately be re-abused.”
Noble said she wants “to see Jesus involved in every broken heart and that He would heal them,” and Eagle’s Wings began out of her own journey with domestic violence and her desire to prevent other women from experiencing similar pain.
“I was in an abusive relationship with my husband for several years, and it was fairly violent,” Noble said. “In that process, I thought, ‘How can I reach other women? What is God’s heart? What does He want to do in this particular very confusing, conflicting issue?’”
The organization’s name was inspired by her life verse, Isaiah 40:31, and an experience on a trip to Alaska with the friend who led her to Christ. Noble lay on the Kenai River sand and saw “two eagles fly together, and the Lord said, ‘Those who hope and wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They’ll mount up like wings on eagles. They’ll run and not be weary and walk and not faint.’”
As she watched the two eagles, she understood them to “represent what God wanted to do with so many women and men that were limping along, and He wanted to rise them up and give them strength and healing.”
Living Free in Christ
Noble wrote the book with Limon, the Eagle’s Wings associate director who serves on the mentor team and facilitates “Love Does No Harm” support groups for women.
Limon believes the Holy Spirit supernaturally “led me to Eagle’s Wings and, once I became a mentor, started leading women’s groups and just saw how the curriculum was so effective. I was very excited to add what the Lord had taught me through my journey to what Judi was already working on, and so we collaborated.”
Her mentoring and writing draw upon her firsthand experience of abuse and the challenge of seeking help.
“I was married for over 10 years, and my husband at the time had a very respectable position in the community,” Limon said. “I finally got to a place where I was crying out to God, and I was very confused about just what domestic violence was. … I felt stuck for a long time, and finally the Lord made it very clear that was not His destiny for me. I was not living free in Christ. I was in bondage, and I believe that He wanted to set me free. Through my recovery, He showed me what real love is, and it does no harm.”
Her recovery also led to spiritual growth.
“My own experience with domestic violence led me to a deeper relationship with the Lord,” Limon said. “Through my healing process, as I started to discover my own identity or my true identity in Him, I just felt that He was changing my passion from being an artist to now using my gifts to help other people that were hurting from domestic violence.”
Defining and Understanding Domestic Violence
The “Love Does No Harm” book helps people understand what domestic violence is.
On the podcast, Noble explained, “Domestic violence is a repeated, deliberate act against an intimate partner. … It’s a deliberate, abusive, violent act against someone that they’re supposed to love.”
Most domestic violence occurs covertly and goes unreported.
“If they’re not being hit, that makes a huge difference for them. They probably won’t even call us because that’s what they think domestic violence is. However, there’s so much more to it,” Noble said. “Once we begin to explain to them that it’s not actually just hitting — that emotional and tormental abuse is so much harder on their hearts than physical [abuse]. The scars are left on their heart.”
Noble added that domestic violence usually escalates. If a person is experiencing abuse but not being hit, physical abuse is likely to come later.
“It’s a confusing subject, and it’s different for everybody,” Noble said. “But the wonderful thing is that we stand for what Jesus stands for. He wants to come and heal the brokenhearted and take the confusion out, and He told me in the beginning, ‘You hold their hand until they’re ready to grab Mine,’ and that’s what Susi and I have done. … When we give out love to them, they can see His love.”
The book includes “10 sessions, and we start with just talking about what domestic violence is, the signs of an abusive relationship, red flags, the different types of abuse, understanding the cycle of violence and the effects,” Limon said. “Every session starts off with Scripture, and we’re talking about the Lord in and through each topic.”
Limon said “Love Does No Harm” helps people who have experienced violence to “discover their true identity in Christ, because that’s going to make all the difference as they start believing who they are, then they’re going to open up to His healing power. And it’s really the Holy Spirit that’s going to guide them through these sessions.”
Some sessions address issues such as boundaries and codependency, which Limon said “is really important for us to understand, because a lot of us, when we’re in abusive relationships, we have learned codependent behaviors that keep us stuck in those relationships, and we confuse love with this codependency behavior.”
Click here to listen to the podcast.
Click here to order the book “Love Does No Harm.”
Click here for the e-book version.
For more information, call Judi Noble and Susi Limon at Eagle’s Wings Ministries at 909-529-3373 or contact them via their website at eagleswingsglobal.org/contact/.
Questions Raised by the Story
Questions Raised by the Story
How A Narrative Catechism Could Help Us
By Bishop Emeritus David W. Kendall
The church today is filled with people who do not know the Scriptures. Even though they claim to believe the Bible is God’s Word, pastors and church leaders often lament there is little evidence that such “belief” means much.
Indeed, religious polls reflect a sad reality. Many who identify as Christian — even as “born again” — do not know or subscribe to some of the most basic teachings of the Bible. For example, a surprising number of professing Christians are uncertain whether their faith or the Bible claims Jesus as the only Savior of people and the world. In one poll of 2,000 church people, 61% believe all faiths are of equal value, and 60% believe that people can earn their way into heaven if they are “good enough.” Likewise, 62% of respondents said that the Holy Spirit is not a member of the Triune Godhead but simply a vague representation of God’s attributes.1
Many who identify as Christians are confused about the differences between the Old and New Testament. Some assume that the New has rendered the Old no longer relevant. Others affirm both Testaments are inspired and thus apply select verses from either Testament in much the same way.2
1 https://fism.tv/poll-majority-of-professing-christians-believe-the-holy-spirit-is-not-real/
2 This represents common ways Bible-believing church members understand and apply Old Testament passages especially.
Moreover, professing Christians believe and practice things they assume are in the Bible but are not. Consider these popular sayings commonly attributed to biblical writers: God helps those who help themselves, cleanliness is next to godliness, and God won’t give you more than you can carry.3 Yet, none of these expressions can be found in the Bible. Worse, how such sayings are used to promote or discourage action leads to conduct that is questionable if not simply wrong.
Finally, surveys on how Christians live their lives suggest there may be little difference between Christians and non-Christians. The incidence of adultery and divorce, the use of pornography, and spouse or child abuse do not vary radically among those who claim to follow the Bible and those who do not. Indeed, people who subscribe to the Bible as God’s Word are no more honest in their relationships than those who do not.4
Who can doubt that churches struggle to help their members understand the Bible and live according to its teachings? I suggest a “catechism” could help us all. And perhaps you wonder:
What’s a “catechism”?
3 Relevant Magazine (Online), January 16, 2020. Other sayings include: God wants me to be happy; we’re all God’s children; bad things happen to good people.
4 Consider the fact that respondents to surveys often misrepresent themselves, a fact that must be taken into account when interpreting survey findings.
The word “catechism” comes from a Greek verb meaning “to teach or instruct.” Early in the Christian Church catechisms were developed as a means of teaching children and new converts the essentials of the faith. Because many could not read for themselves, these catechisms were organized in a question-answer format to help learners remember what they were taught. And, for much of church history, the use of catechisms was central to the teaching ministry of the church.
Churches today could benefit from a catechism that helps their people learn how to follow Jesus well — a catechism of questions and answers that rise out of the Bible itself in the way the Bible presents them. I call it a “Narrative Catechism.” Or, more simply, “Questions Raised by the Story.” Let me explain what I have in mind and why I think it can help us.
To begin, I’m not suggesting a primary focus on a list of questions exploring essential doctrines we all must know and believe. Because, although what we know and believe is important, it is not most important. Rather, and most importantly, we must focus first on what God has revealed to us in our Bibles, how God has revealed it, and why?
Since the Bible is essentially a story, the focus will be on questions that rise out of the Scripture- Story as the Story itself raises and then answers them. Thus, we begin with an overview of the Story and note questions the Story suggests and observe how the Story answers them. A list of questions and answers like that has several advantages. Here are three of them.
First, we are honoring the nature of the Bible as God’s Word to us. When we allow the Story to tell us what is important and how it is important, we are submitting to the authority of the Word God has given us. After all, it’s not just a story, it’s The Story by means of which God has chosen to guide His people in relating to Him, one another, and the world.
Second, by observing how the Story begins and then unfolds, and how its various sections and episodes elaborate and clarify the unfolding Story, we are in a better position to answer the questions it raises. We will see how the Story answers a question at one point and then sharpens or adjusts the answer as the Story proceeds. We will also understand that some questions have more than one answer, depending on “where we are” in the Story. For example, a question about God’s Law will have an answer at one point in the Story that is different than at another point. And, by allowing the Story to direct us to the question and then offer its varied answers, we gain deeper and more comprehensive understanding.
Third, and most importantly, questions raised by the Story are more likely to draw us into the Story itself, where we meet the Triune God who invites us to follow His lead. As we do, we come to know the Storyteller who enters His Story in Jesus, and we learn to love His ways. It will be good to know the proper answers as the Story offers them, but even better to know the Storyteller and learn to love His ways.
Bishop Emeritus David W. Kendall is the author of the forthcoming book “Questions Raised by the Story:
A Narrative Catechism” from Light + Life Publishing. His other books include “Prayers for the Seasons”
“Follow Her Lead,” and “God’s Call to Be Like Jesus.” He has served the Free Methodist Church as a bishop (from 2005 to 2019), superintendent, and pastor.
FMs Respond
Dear Free Methodist Family,
Entering the season of Lent this year, the suffering of our world weighs heavily on all of us. In addition to the escalating war involving Russia and Ukraine, there are many countries where our Free Methodist members are experiencing unimaginable economic, political, Covid-related, and other hardships. In fact, several countries among our 100+ are embroiled in war. Please remember our global family in your daily prayers.
Since our statement earlier this week, several people have asked about sending care packages to Ukraine or neighboring countries where our churches are involved in relief work. Our leaders advise us that sending physical goods is costly and risky and would incur shipping and customs costs that could easily exceed the value of the items. The best way to help, besides praying, is to give to the Bishops’ Crisis Response Fund and mark your donation “Ukraine.” Funds can be transferred to our partners, who are most appreciative.
We also have relied upon the wisdom of our leaders in Eastern Europe in carefully nuancing our statement so as not to jeopardize the safety of any of our personnel in Ukraine or Russia. Please continue to pray for peace and that our loved ones are protected from harm.
Together in concern and united in purpose,
Bishop Linda Adams Bishop Keith Cowart Bishop Matt Whitehead
To Donate by Check:
Checks can be made out to The Free Methodist Church USA and mailed to PO Box 51710, Indianapolis, IN 46251. Please write Bishop’s Crisis Fund – Ukraine in the memo line.
LEADERSHIP LESSONS FOR A NEW REALITY
This has been one of the most confusing seasons in our lived history. Take a pandemic; mix in a bunch of weird political stuff; add a few racial inciting events; and call it 2020-21. To refer to the last 18 months as a challenge, would be a huge understatement. However, one of the benefits of hard seasons is that they have a way of exposing some rough spots in each of our lives, our leadership, and our organizations. As I have paused and reflected on what we are emerging from, I realize that there is a new set of underlying assumptions which we must adopt and allow to fundamentally change our approach, particularly in the arena of church ministry, if we hope to remain relevant and effective moving forward.
1. ACCELERATED REALITY: We lost a decade. Today, we are living in what 2031 would have looked like, but it happened now. We can resist this and drift into obscurity, or we can embrace it and position ourselves to play a significant role in helping people navigate the challenges ahead. No doubt this will require taking risk, learning from our mistakes and quickly redirecting our efforts.
2. THE GREAT RESIGNATION: This season is marked by the largest loss of senior pastors and church staff in known history. As organizations and churches navigate these often unwanted and perhaps even unexpected staffing transitions, let me offer you a hope-filled perspective: First, God is still in control. Secondly, the church is His bride, and He will fight to protect and preserve her. Finally, I wonder if part of the great resignation is actually a strategic God initiative to reorganize and deploy His church leaders. I believe that God is always working to position His leaders in just the right place, at any given time, in order to contribute to the kingdom in ways that would not be possible otherwise.
3. THE BIG SWAP: The people who came back to church didn’t necessarily come back to the same church they left. Many individuals and families are taking this opportunity to reconsider what is most important to them. Interestingly, those who are coming back seem to be leveling up in their commitment to Christ and, thus, are looking for a church that is serious about helping them apply their faith in meaningful ways to their everyday lives.
4. THE SAD GOODBYE: Due to the ripple effects of the pandemic, many churches have had to shut down or are in the process of closing their doors. According to Barna Research Group, around 20% of smaller churches will not survive.(1) On top of that, Barna along with several other researchers have stated that approximately 32% of regular church attenders did not make the shift to online services during the shutdown.(2) Now more than ever, we need to look around our auditoriums and notice who is missing. Who is no longer connecting with us and what will we do about it?
5. LESS PEOPLE WILL RETURN TO IN-PERSON CHURCH: According to Warren Bird of Lifeway Research, overall church attendance is predicted to recover at 80% of 2019 levels.(3) However, that mark is still a long way off. Current attendance levels are trending well below that mark for most churches.(4)
6. ONLINE IS REAL CHURCH: Online church isn’t going away. If you haven’t already, this is the time to embrace a permanent hybrid: in-person and online. Do you remember just a few years ago when people debated if online church really counted? We bantered back and forth wondering if meaningful connections and spiritual development could really be accomplished in a virtual setting? Worship is essential. Christianity is both personal and corporate. We are called to gather. Over 30 years of ministry, I have not met a single person who is remotely mature in their faith who is not connected regularly in community. In this last season, I have seen many individuals take significant spiritual steps through our online community.
Before the pandemic somewhere around 3-4% of church goers viewed online church as a viable and preferred option for them and their families.(5) Moving forward, online will be a legitimate spiritual community for many more, plus another large percentage of our physical attenders will take advantage of a virtual option in addition to occasionally attending in-person.
7. BALKANIZATION IS OUR CURRENT REALITY: Balkanization is a term used to describe the division of a people into smaller hostile units of like-thinking groups. We are definitely experiencing balkanization on issues of critical race theory, LGBTQ, masks, vaccines, and politics. Americans have chosen distinct camps and want to be in a church that reflects their particular camp. Interestingly, this extreme polarization has resulted in transfer growth for the hyper-right.
The pandemic has changed life for everyone, and churches along with their leaders are certainly no exception. The future, especially the next 18 months, will be precarious for a number of churches, but for the nimble and focused it will provide significant opportunities for outreach and kingdom expansion.
Benjamin Sigman, D.Min., is the lead pastor of Timberlake Church and the co-superintendent of the Reach Conference.
[1] https://outreachmagazine.com/resources/research-and-trends/59661-research-1-in-5-churches-may-close-due-to-pandemic.html
[2] https://www.barna.com/research/new-sunday-morning-part-2/
[3] https://careynieuwhof.com/episode367/
[4] https://lifewayresearch.com/2020/10/20/few-churches-back-to-pre-covid-attendance-levels/ and https://christianstandard.com/2021/05/church-survey-facts-and-figures-from-a-funky-year/
[5] http://hirr.hartsem.edu/megachurch/2015_Megachurches_Report.pdf
Justice Network Summit 2021
“Jesus made himself an immigrant to break the system.” Host Pastor José Reyes of Iglesia Nueva Vida in Cleveland, Ohio, began the 2021 inaugural Justice Network Summit challenging the church to take seriously how to fix the broken immigration system. He commented that the immigration system all over the world needs to be addressed, citing the difficulties in his native land of the Dominican Republic and how its citizens discriminate against their Haitian neighbors.
Reyes’ opening address led into a panel of his church members sharing their stories of immigration. Both panel members and the congregation shed tears over their heart-wrenching stories, including one woman watching her husband being shot on the steps of their church. Their stories of suffering and struggle spoke volumes about the need for the church to step into this process.
Pastor Jaymes Lackey delivered another challenging message titled “A Methodist Ethic of Justice.” Pulling from both John Wesley and B.T. Roberts, Lackey reminded the church that the Wesleyan tradition would focus on action first, then spiritual needs. “If we have to pick acts of mercy or piety, we [as Methodists] pick acts of mercy.” Lackey also noted, “We are educated beyond our level of obedience.” His drawing on our traditions rooted the current movement in our past.
Thursday evening keynote speaker Superintendent Amelia Cleveland-Traylor pushed the audience to be truly free, beyond the masks worn and the roles played. She lamented in particular the pressure on people of color to assimilate to majority White culture and how that prevents them from being truly themselves. She proclaimed, “Jesus saves us from our sin and breaks the yoke of oppression” and “If we were free, we would not be afraid.”
Worship at the event included a diverse team of Topher Noyes (who planned the selections), Eric Logan, Vanilda Reyes de Noyes, Amizielis Figueroa, Jaymes Lackey, Soo Ji Alvarez and Ephram Wilkoff. Songs focused on justice issues and aimed to equip the churches for engaging on this at home. The host church’s dance team Ministerio de Danza (Ministry of Dance) along with flags by Serena and Jeff Oriero added physical expression to our musical and spiritual offerings during the evening sessions.
Friday morning began with a proclamation from Superintendent and Pastor Charles Latchison, who exhorted the congregation with “whatever spirit fullness looks like for you, we need you to walk in that more.” He noted, “Love smells differently after you’ve been restored.” Latchison also asked, “Lord, is there anything broken in me that needs healing so I can hear you well?”
Larissa Malone, a professor at the University of Southern Maine, addressed the topic of critical race theory, explaining its origins and some common tenets. To put it basically, critical race theory examines the relationship of race and racism and society. It began in the legal field because scholars noticed that justice was actually not blind but seemed biased against people of color. Questions from the audience helped the attendees to acquire a better understanding of this theory and how it intersects Christianity.
Women Clergy of Color Panel: Pastors Marissa Mattox Heffernan, Amelia Cleveland-Traylor, Marianne Pena, Soo Ji Alvarez and Katherine Callahan-Howell.
Superintendent Michael Traylor spoke on the “Relationship of Diversity and Justice in Church.” Traylor noted, “Justice leads to diversity. Diversity doesn’t always lead to justice-centered churches.”
Several panels during the event addressed various issues such as immigration, discipling for racial justice, women clergy of color, and preaching. The stories of the women of color clergy moved many and helped understand the barriers they have faced as both female and minorities in a predominantly male and White clergy denomination.
The preaching panel included Pastors Ben Wayman, Katie Sawade Hall and Joe Alvarez all bringing their take on Isaiah 50:4–9, the lectionary passage for the upcoming Sunday. Sawade Hall proclaimed during her segment, “If there is anything the last 20 years have made clear, it’s that White, evangelical, American Christians have struggled to know how to suffer for the sake of the gospel.”
In addition to the main sessions, eight workshops allowed participants to gain more hands-on approaches to anything from parenting to worship to rethinking incarceration.
Friday evening’s keynote speaker Dominique Gilliard shared from the theme of his new book, “Subversive Witness,” which each attendee received. Gilliard shared this particularly striking commentary, “We cannot allow the gospel that we proclaim to be dictated by what our members are ready for on their own terms. As pastors, we are called to disciple our members into faithfulness, not acquiesce to their disobedience.” He also noted, “When we really look at why young people are leaving the church, it’s because they see it as a social club without moral or spiritual authority.” His talk and book give a spiritual basis for justice work rooted in biblical examples.
Pastor José Reyes
On Saturday morning, the previously formed ally groups gathered to share their future intentions and what they had gained from the conference. Bishop Linda Adams closed the event with an address titled “Wake Up!” in which she said, “We are calling the church to a path of discipleship that asks about our founding charism and calls us to embody it in the 21st century.” She also served communion along with Bishop Matt Whitehead. He also shared on Saturday, “Thank you for both the hopefulness of this conversation and for the prophetic finger in the chest. It’s just been wonderful to be here.”
Pastor Marissa Mattox Heffernan served as emcee for the event, and noted that, “Justice is the result of community salvation. We were created to walk in relationship.” The Justice Network is posting talks from the summit on its resources page. Save the dates of September 8–10, 2022, to attend the next summit in Southern California.
Katherine Callahan-Howell is the founding pastor of Winton Community Free Methodist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Love-Driven Justice
Love-Driven Justice
References from Scripture, the Book of Discipline, and L+L Articles
The recipients of the grace and mercy found in Jesus’ mission.
- The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18–19 (emphasis added))
God’s heart for just action revealed in His Word.
- As to Foreigners: When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19:33–34)
- As to the Weak, Fatherless, Poor, Oppressed: Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. (Psalm 82:3)
- As to Our Obligation to Fairness and Equitable Treatment of Others: Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:9)
- As to Defending the Oppressed: Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. (Isaiah 1:17)
- As to Our Commitment to Be Merciful and Compassionate: This is what the Lord Almighty said: “Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.” (Zechariah 7:9–10)
- As to Our Call to Mirror God’s Holiness, Righteousness and Justice: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)
- As to Religion That Is Acceptable to the Father: Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)
Our pledge to active concern: ⁋3221 and ⁋3222 of the 2019 Book of Discipline (See the 2019 Book of Discipline for the entire content of these paragraphs)
Dignity and Worth of Persons (Introduction to ⁋3221)
We are committed to the dignity and worth of all humans, including the unborn, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, color, socio-economic status, disability, or any other distinctions (Acts 10:34-35) and will respect them as persons made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27) and redeemed by Christ’s death and resurrection.
The Old Testament law commands such respect (Deuteronomy 5:11-21). Jesus summarized this law as love for God and neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40). He ministered to all without distinction and His death on the cross was for all (John 3:16; Romans 5:8).
We are therefore pledged to active concern whenever human beings are demeaned, abused, depersonalized, enslaved or subjected to demonic forces in the world, whether by individuals or institutions (Galatians 3:28; Mark 2:27; 1 Timothy 1:8-10). We are committed to give meaning and significance to every person by God’s help. Remembering our tendency to be prejudicial, as Christians we must grow in awareness of the rights and needs of others.
Sanctity of Life (Introduction to ⁋3222)
God is sovereign: the world and all that is in it belongs to God. Though God’s eternal purposes may never be thwarted by human action we are still free and responsible to make God consistent choices in matters of life and death. Christians live in the reality that human beings are created for an eternal purpose. As we attend to human suffering, we acknowledge that the ability of medical technology to end human suffering is finite. Therefore, we accept our responsibility to use this technology with wisdom and compassion; honoring God, who is ultimately supreme.
Discipleship Materials: Engage small group conversation using this four-part small group series based on Bishop Matt’s L+L Article. They contain additional Scripture references and application.
- Click to download Love-Driven Justice: Part one, Part two, Part three, Part four.
Christ-Compelled Multiplication
Christ-Compelled Multiplication
References from Scripture, the Book of Discipline, and L+L Articles
Bringing life from life is found in the First Commission and the Great Commission.
- God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” (Genesis 1:22)
- So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. (Genesis 1:27-29)
- Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
FMCUSA Statistics that support our call to awaken to multiplication:
- A quick review of our most recent annual report reveals that many of our churches have not reported a new convert in years. Very few have seen significant growth from reaching people who are not already following Jesus.
- In terms of the number of churches in our movement, the first Free Methodists planted 500 new churches in the U.S. between 1860 to 1880. Over the next 20 years, that number doubled to more than 1,000. Over the last 120 years, our total number of churches has declined to fewer than 850 churches.
- When it comes to membership, our movement climaxed in 1992 at more than 74,000. Our most recent count (2018) was just over 68,000.
- Our greatest area of growth has come in worship attendance with averages rising to more than 100,000 a few years ago, but even this figure has declined to just under 92,000 in our most recent annual report (2018).
Declarations of the Apostle Paul that stir us to be a movement once again:
- “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).
- “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).
- “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
- “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:7–8).
¶6030 Disciple-making. 2019 Book of Discipline
Disciple-making is the great commission of our community. The church earnestly engages in evangelization and disciple-making. We are not casual about pointing out the way of life and holiness. We are concerned for the spiritual growth of all those in our charge, whether pre-Christians, new Christians, or longtime Christians.
Visit https://lightandlife.fm beginning April 1, 2021 for “Christ-Compelled Multiplication” by Bishop Keith Cowart and discipleship materials related to this value of The Free Methodist Way
Cross-Cultural Collaboration
Cross-Cultural Collaboration
References from Scripture, the Book of Discipline, and L+L Articles
Scripture Passages
Jesus Crosses Cultures.
- In John 4:4-42. The Samaritan woman at the well is a well-known passage, but indeed highlights Jesus, crossing cultural lines to offer living water.
- Acts 1:8seems to echo the event of John 4:4-42 as Jesus says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Jesus includes Samaria in His declaration.
Nations were united through a common message on the day of Pentecost.
- “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”” (Acts 2:4-11)
Jesus prays for us to be one, in loving mutuality – shalom.
- Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) and comes to restore people to loving mutuality in Him. Jesus prayed, “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father,protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. (John 17:11)
Revelation describes a kingdom made up of all nations.
- After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, peopleand language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10)
Dignity and Worth of Persons. ¶3221 of the 2019 Book of Discipline
We are committed to the dignity and worth of all humans, including the unborn, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, color, socio-economic status, disability, or any other distinctions (Acts 10:34-35) and will respect them as persons made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27) and redeemed by Christ’s death and resurrection.
The Old Testament law commands such respect (Deuteronomy 5:11-21). Jesus summarized this law as love for God and neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40). He ministered to all without distinction and His death on the cross was for all (John 3:16; Romans 5:8).
We are therefore pledged to active concern whenever human beings are demeaned, abused, depersonalized, enslaved or subjected to demonic forces in the world, whether by individuals or institutions (Galatians 3:28; Mark 2:27; 1 Timothy 1:8-10). We are committed to give meaning and significance to every person by God’s help. Remembering our tendency to be prejudicial, as Christians we must grow in awareness of the rights and needs of others.
- See also the subsequent points of this paragraph from the Book of Discipline:
- A. With Regard to Poverty
- B. With Regard to Racism
- C. With Regard to Immigrants, Refugees and Those in Bondage
Sanctity of Life. ¶3222 of the 2019 Book of Discipline
God is sovereign: the world and all that is in it belongs to God. Though God’s eternal purposes may never be thwarted by human action we are still free and responsible to make God-consistent choices in matters of life and death. Christians live in the reality that human beings are created for an eternal purpose. As we attend to human suffering, we acknowledge that the ability of medical technology to end human suffering is finite. Therefore, we accept our responsibility to use this technology with wisdom and compassion; honoring God, who is ultimately supreme.
- See also the subsequent points of this paragraph from the Book of Discipline:
- A. Reproductive Technology
- B. Abortion
- C. Euthanasia
- D. Other Ethical Dilemmas
Free Methodist World Missions
- Free Methodist World Missions provides this statement demonstrating our commitment to overcome Colonial mindsets and ethnocentrism: Free Methodist World Missions makes disciples by mobilizing the global church and empowering international leaders to establish transformational churches.
Visit https://lightandlife.fm beginning May 1, 2021 for “Cross-Cultural Collaboration” by Bishop Linda Adams and discipleship materials related to this value of The Free Methodist Way
God-Given Revelation
God-Given Revelation
References from Scripture, the Book of Discipline, and L+L Articles
The Scriptures – Authority: ¶108 of the 2019 Book of Discipline
The Bible is God’s written Word, uniquely inspired by the Holy Spirit. It bears unerring witness to Jesus Christ, the living Word. As attested by the early church and subsequent councils, it is the trustworthy record of God’s revelation, completely truthful in all it affirms. It has been faithfully preserved and proves itself true in human experience.
The Scriptures have come to us through human authors who wrote, as God moved them, in the languages and literary forms of their times. God continues, by the illumination of the Holy Spirit, to speak through this Word to each generation and culture.
The Bible has authority over all human life. It teaches the truth about God, His creation, His people, His one and only Son and the destiny of humankind. It also teaches the way of salvation and the life of faith. Whatever is not found in the Bible nor can be proved by it is not to be required as an article of belief or as necessary to salvation.
Scripture Passages
The Eternal Nature of God’s Word
- Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Matthew 24:35)
The Sustaining Nature of God’s Word
- Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” (Matthew 4:1-4)
- He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. (Deuteronomy 8:3)
The Authoritative Nature of God’s Word
- For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, jointsand marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
The Heart that Yearns to Live Obediently to God’s Word.
Psalm 119 is unparalleled in depicting the heart of one who desires to live in obedience to the Word of God. It beautifully depicts the self-awareness of the benefits of living according to the Word of God.
- Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart— they do no wrong but follow his ways. You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalms 119:1-11)
The Prophetic Nature of God’s Word
- Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction. (Proverbs 29:18)
The Unified Authority of the Old and New Testaments
- 63 times in the New Testament (NIV search), the phrase, “it is written” appears, calling forth the prophecies of the Old Testament to substantiate the authority of Christ as our Messiah.
Visit https://lightandlife.fm beginning June 1, 2021 for “God-Given Revelation” by Bishop Matt Whitehead and discipleship materials related to this value of The Free Methodist Way
Life-Giving Holiness
Life-Giving Holiness
References from Scripture, the Book of Discipline, and L+L Articles
The Scriptural Call to be Holy People.
- But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’ (1 Peter 1:15–16, quoting three occurrences in Leviticus).
- May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NRSV).
- Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14).
- Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 7:1).
The work of the Spirit.
- 2 Corinthians 3:6. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
- Ephesians 2:8–9. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
- Galatians 3:2b-3. Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?
Holiness in Action.
- You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43–48).
The Spirit Gives Life: ⁋119 of the 2019 Book of Discipline.
Sanctification is that saving work of God beginning with new life in Christ whereby the Holy Spirit renews His people after the likeness of God, changing them through crisis and process, from one degree of glory to another, and conforming them to the image of Christ.
As believers surrender to God in faith and die to self through full consecration, the Holy Spirit fills them with love and purifies them from sin. This sanctifying relationship with God remedies the divided mind, redirects the heart to God, and empowers believers to please and serve God in their daily lives.
Thus, God sets His people free to love Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love their neighbor as themselves.
Sanctification ⁋3108 of the 2019 Book of Discipline.
Christ gave himself for the cleansing of His church (Ephesians 5:25-27; Hebrews 13:12). His disciples are called to be holy (1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Corinthians 7:1). Christ provided for believers to be entirely sanctified in the atonement (Hebrews 9:13-14; 10:8-10). Accordingly, Paul prayed “May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). Sanctification begins with regeneration. It continues throughout the believer’s life, as the believer co-operates with the Spirit. A deeper relationship with Christ is possible as the believer is fully cleansed in heart (Psalm 51:5-13; 1 John 1:5-2:1).
God the Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2). Coming into one’s life at conversion, He fills with His unrivalled presence when the Christian’s consecration is complete, cleansing the heart and empowering for witness and service (John 3:5; Romans 8:9; Galatians 3:3; Acts 1:8). He sheds God’s love throughout the heart and life of the Christian (Romans 5:5; 1 John 4:12-13).
Accepting the promise of God by faith, believers enter into a deepened relationship with Christ (2 Corinthians 7:1; Galatians 2:20; Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 4:6-7). They are enabled to love God with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind, and their neighbor as themselves (Matthew 22:37-40; Galatians 5:25-26). They know an inner surrender to all the will of God, and their lives are transformed from inner conflict with sin to glad obedience (Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 5:16-25).
Sanctification cleanses Christians from sin and delivers from the idolatry of self (1 Peter 3:2-3; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:15-20). When they are cleansed, they are not made perfect in performance, but in love (Hebrews 6:1; 12:14; Matthew 5:43-48; 1 John 4:12-13).
Read “Life Giving Holiness” by Bishop Linda Adams
Discipleship Materials: Engage small group conversation using this four-part small group series based on Bishop Linda’s L+L Article. They contain additional Scripture references and application.
- Click to download The Well of Living Water: Part one, Part two, Part three, Part four.