We are a group of churches situated mainly in the North of England with others in Bristol, the Midlands and Ramsey on the Isle of Man. Most of them bear the name “Independent Methodist”, but a few have local names, often related to their origins.
Each of our churches is self-governing, but they are grouped into local circuits to provide help and mutual support to one another. The churches together form the Independent Methodist Connexion, which acts as a spiritual and collective focal point. The Connexion has several departments, groups, officers and employees to facilitate the work of our churches by providing encouragement, motivation and resource provision/support wherever practical.
Our denomination is not large, which gives it a character quite different from much larger church bodies. This has the advantage of simplified administration, but the drawback of a limited national profile. Each year we hold an Annual Meeting where all the major decisions affecting the denomination are taken by representatives from the churches.
Our group of churches is represented on the appropriate committees of Churches Together in England, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, Free Churches’ Group and Women’s World Day of Prayer. It is also a member of the Evangelical Alliance.
STATEMENT OF FAITH:
The Independent Methodist Churches are Trinitarian, believing that God the Father is revealed through Jesus Christ his Son, who alone is Saviour of the world. The Holy Spirit makes God’s saving work real in the lives of his people. On acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, a person is born again and becomes a child of God by adoption. The full doctrines of the denomination are defined in our statement of faith under ten headings:
The Trinity – We believe in One Living and True God, Creator of all, eternal in three persons as Father, Son and Holy Spirit; him alone we worship and adore.
God the Father – We believe that God the Father Almighty, in holy love, gave his Son for the salvation of mankind.
God the Son – We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is God the Son. For our sake he became man, was truly human and truly divine, and lived a sinless human life. We believe that he reveals the Father, that he died to atone for our sins, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven and was exalted. He is our Advocate, Mediator and Lord. We believe that he will return personally in power and glory.
God the Holy Spirit – We believe that God the Holy Spirit convinces of sin, righteousness and judgement. He causes those who repent to be born anew and dwells within them, witnessing to their salvation and developing the fruit of a Godly life. He endows believers with gifts for the up-building of the Church. He glorifies Jesus.
Mankind – We believe that all people are sinful and are unable to deliver themselves from the guilt, penalty and power of their sin.
Salvation – We believe that salvation from the guilt, penalty and power of sin to eternal life is a free gift of God. Salvation is his purpose for all mankind and is only possible through personal faith in the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that all must stand before the final judgement of Christ and that those who have refused his salvation will be separated eternally from God.
The Bible – We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God and are the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
The Church – We believe that the Church is the whole company of the redeemed in heaven and on earth and consists of all who are united to God through faith in Christ. We believe that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church, which is his body. The purpose of the Church is to worship God, to promote the fellowship of his people, to preach the Gospel and to make disciples of all nations.
The Sacraments – We believe that the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper are to be practiced in obedience to the command of the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that in the observance of the Lord’s Supper, Christ is certainly and really present, though not bodily in the elements. When used by believers with faith and prayer, the sacraments are, through the operation of the Holy Spirit, outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace.
The Christian Life – We believe in the priesthood of all believers, affirming that each believer has direct access to God through the Lord Jesus Christ. The individual believer is required to render obedience to Christ in every area of life, seeking always, under his direction, the advancement of his Kingdom.
CHRISTIANS IN THE COMMUNITY
What do we mean when we say that we are “Christians in the Community”? To answer this you would need to understand the mission statement of our churches – “Every Independent Methodist Church is to be involved in ministry and mission within the local community, preferably in conjunction with other Christian groups in the area”. This means that we are where God has placed us, committed to Jesus Christ, and we love him, serve him – by loving and serving one another.
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