Valuing Methodist Attributes

Developments in World Methodism

Online Webinar – 7:30pm 8th September 2023

THE VOICE OF METHODISM

Our Beliefs

WE BELIEVE that Methodism was raised up by God to ‘spread Scriptural Holiness throughout the land by the proclamation of the Evangelical faith’

This calling is still unfulfilled as is the only remedy for the ills of our nation.

‘I am not afraid that the people called Methodist should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should exist only as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this will surely be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit and discipline with which they first set out’  John Wesley

Valuing Methodist Attributes

The Voice of Methodism Association (VMA) is a body which was formed in the late 1960’s. Negotiations were in progress with the Church of England which would have compromised vital facets of the Methodist movement. People gave sacrificially to ensure that an alternative voice could be heard.

VMA is in favour of working together with other Christians – but we do not believe that Christian unity can be achieved by adopting a common form of high organisation, for example by adopting Anglican style bishops.

VMA is committed to the support of a

Methodist movement true to its origins and dynamic in its present activities for God.

VMA does not believe that when Jesus prayed for the unity of his disciples (John 17) he was praying about a unity of organisations. Rather we believe that he was praying for a unity of purpose and a closeness of purpose. These cannot be achieved by forced uniformity,

“ask not, therefore, of him with whom I could unite in love … Are you of my church, of my congregation?

Do you receive the same form of church government, and allow the same church officers, with me? …. my only question at present is this,
“Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart?”

 John Wesley – Sermon on the Catholic Spirit

Distinctives

The Deed of Union of the Methodist Church states that “Methodism was raised up to spread Scriptural Holiness through the proclamation of the evangelical faith.”

Methodist Christians should rejoice to proclaim the evangelical faith of Christ’s Gospel

The Deed of Union declares that there is no separate ‘priesthood’ in the Methodist Church.

A church which is a true expression of the Methodist movement cannot accept doctrines which create such a priesthood.

John Wesley declared the doctrine of the ‘Historic Episcopate’ to be a ‘vain fable which no man ever did or could prove.’

A church which is a true expression of the Methodist movement cannot assent to be limited by such a fable.

Methodism is concerned with the nurture of converts. In the times of John Wesley much of the Church of England was more concerned with status and power rather than the souls of men and women.

A church which is a true expression of the Methodist movement remains more concerned with people and their needs than with status and rank and the privilege of the few.

While committed to work with all other Christians in mission Methodism has never been part of the ‘Establishment’.

A church which is a true expression of Methodism cannot be yoked to an ‘established’, state church.

The Officers

Rev David Miller

Rev David Miller

Chair

Rev Pete Pillinger

Rev Pete Pillinger

Rod Ingrouille

Rod Ingrouille

Trustees Secretary

Finance

Get In Touch

The Voice Of Methodist Association

51 Upper Bristol Road, Milton,

Weston Super Mare BS22 8BZ

@vmatrust.org.uk

The Voice of Methodism Association

51 Upper Bristol Road, Milton, Weston Super Mare BS22 8BZ

Email: info@vmatrust.org.uk

Telephone: 

The Voice of Methodism Association

 

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