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
Chair
Rev Pete Pillinger
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
Please feel free to connect with us