Why Global Methodist?

I’m a horrible sales person. I like people to know that facts and make up their own mind…whatever that might be. If people ask me for advice or guidance, I’ll share my thoughts, but I always try to let folks know that the decision is theirs.

That being said, I was asked the other night by a church why I chose to align with the Global Methodist denomination. Why do I align with the Global Methodist denomination? Because we share the same core convictions. These core convictions shape decisions on finance, organization, administration, and so much more. Here’s what I share with the church.

Committing to the Bible

When a plain reading of the bible conflicts my personal convictions, beliefs, or practices, what do I do? I struggle. Depending on how convicted I feel, I’ll usually search the bible to see what else the LORD says on the subject. I’ll likely also check to see if John Wesley or others weighed in on the subject. I may even do a Google search. Long story short, I may not like it, but the bible eventually seems to win out. I don’t feel free to dismiss or distort it when I don’t like it.

The leaders of the Global Methodist denomination seem to share my conviction. I was surprised that one of the first acts of the denomination was to draft a catechism. I like the idea of drawing from scripture and tradition to clearly spell out the beliefs. I also like how churches and clergy need to agree with these core beliefs in order to join the denomination. I like how they are thoroughly testing seminaries so see if they can teach in a way that agrees with these beliefs. It’ll be interesting to see how those that stray from these beliefs are handled.

Committing to Evangelism

I’m not saying I’m a good evangelist, but I know it’s of the utmost importance. I pray for the lost regularly. I love helping new churches and those that are reaching new people with the good news of Jesus Christ. I see my role in the body as supporting those on the front lines although I’m not afraid to share my beliefs in a conversation.

The leaders of the Global Methodist denomination seem to share my conviction. Many of them have planted new churches. One of the first things they did was setup a partnership with The River Network. In the Upper Midwest (Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Dakotas), in our second gathering we brought in a church multiplication expert to let it be known that we are serious about reaching new people. Already, the Upper Midwest is launching three new church plants.

Committing to Holiness

About twenty years ago, I really began to admire John Wesley and the early Methodist. Their pursuit of holiness gave me hope that we can overcome sin in this life. We don’t have to live in bondage. In the Methodist tradition, small groups have been an important part of my life. I’ve been part of Men’s Group for 20 years. Five years ago, I joined a Band Meeting where we confess our sins to one another and pray over each other.

The leaders of the Global Methodist denomination seem to share my conviction. It is quite common for Global Methodist clergy (at least in my region) to be part of a Band Meeting. Besides the Band Meetings, there is a new hymnal (Our Great Redeemer’s Praise), and a plethora of books on reclaiming our Wesleyan heritage coming from or endorsed by those connected to the denomination.

Submitting to the Holy Spirit

I was going to say “Committing to the Holy Spirit,” but that didn’t sound quite right to me. I consider myself a Pentecostal Methodist. I pray in tongues. I seek the gifts of the Spirit. I aim to remember that, without the Holy Spirit, our wisdom and works are worthless to the LORD.

The leaders of the Global Methodist denomination seem to share my conviction. One of the first things I noticed is that the Global Methodists have been slow to add employees or raise money or even buy properties. It would be easy to see all these things as the solution to building the Kingdom. Because it is impossible for the handful of employees to get all the work done, it is forcing the denomination to trust in the moving and operation of the Holy Spirit in the lives of so many others.

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Useful Links

• 10 Reasons to Consider the GMC: https://www.uppermidwestgmc.org/_files/ugd/c3bbb1_0303cbcd619e424b8de7bf23eca95b0c.pdf
• GMC Catechism: https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Catechism-for-the-Global-Methodist-Church.2023052496.pdf
• GMC Book of Discipline: https://globalmethodist.org/what-we-believe/
• GMC Red Tape: http://jctaccounting.com/2022/09/16/umc-vs-gmc-who-has-more-red-tape/
• GMC Costs: http://jctaccounting.com/2022/08/19/umc-vs-gmc-which-one-costs-more/
• GMC Trust Clause: http://jctaccounting.com/2022/09/09/umc-vs-gmc-what-about-the-trust-clause/