Connected or Independent

Connected or Independent? Why Churches Should Prayerfully Consider the Global Methodist Church

by Mike Powers and Aaron Mansfield

 If you and your church are thinking about disaffiliating from the United Methodist Church—or if you already have—consider joining the work of the Global Methodist Church.  Your choice to disaffiliate was guided by a desire to remain true to the authority of the Word of God and to minister in the Wesleyan Spirit, which is exactly why the Global Methodist Church was formed.

Congregational and connectional church structures have both proven effective in the Kingdom of God.  The Global Methodist Church, in its Wesleyan approach to church government, reflects the best of both systems.  There are distinct advantages to a church governance that includes both connectional and congregation values.

First, the CONTINUITY of being connected to the Wesleyan tradition honors the legacy of the original founders and the tradition of their faithful witness throughout the years. The great effectiveness of the Methodist movement was found in a theology of grace and a system of church government to ensure that it continued to be preached, taught, and lived. The Global Methodist Church believes that those who faithfully went before us, generously investing their time and treasures in their beloved church, were wise in creating a connectional system of accountability that ultimately serves to make effective ministry possible.

Second, the UNITY of the congregation is secured by an accountability structure.  We have seen clearly what the lack of accountability can do in the chaos of the United Methodist Church. In the Global Methodist Church, local churches are recognized as the resident experts who will develop ministries, outreach, and worship that fit the context they know better than anyone. The network of Global Methodist congregations will be unified by a Wesleyan commitment to praise God, make disciples of Jesus Christ, and reach the lost.

Third, a solid connectional polity contributes to IMMUNITY from clergy malpractice. Clergy with no accountability beyond the local church can create conflict and ineffective work as they assume more power and control in a church. Conflicts in the church are normal and inevitable. Therefore, the Global Methodist Church will hold everyone accountable at all levels to remain faithful to our mission and purpose: churches to the theology and practice of Wesleyan ministry, clergy to the discipline of the church, and bishops to the mission of Jesus Christ.

Fourth, a COMMUNITY of faith is God’s Plan to fulfill the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations, and the Great Commandments, to love God and love neighbor. This happens in covenant relationships which are intentional experiences of authentic Christian community where faithful disciples walk together with Jesus Christ, being made into his likeness in the power of the Holy Spirit, through spiritual disciplines, mutual accountability and loving support. The Global Methodist Church is committed to the local church as the strategic center of making disciples connected in covenant relationships who make disciples.

Fifth, the Global Methodist Church is a once-in-a-lifetime OPPORTUNITY for this generation to contribute to the development of a Kingdom-centered mission and ministry from the ground-up. The Global Methodist Church is organized to resource local churches for the ministry of the Gospel across our streets and around the world. We want to invite you to join like-minded brothers and sisters across the street and around the world in this divinely appointed moment to live more fully into the vision and mission of a connectional ministry that will be eternally significant throughout the generations.

Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.                                                              Psalm 102:18