Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches

The Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches (FIMC) is a Methodist denomination aligned with the conservative holiness movement that is based in the British Isles, with missions around the world.[1] The history of the Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches is a part of the larger history of Methodism in the British Isles, with the connexion forming as the result of a number of congregations departing both the Methodist Church in Ireland and the Free Methodist Church in 1973 due to what they perceived as the rise of Modernism in those denominations.[2][3][4] The connexion is theologically conservative, aiming to uphold the original ethos of early Methodism.[5] Though each congregation calls its own minister, a General Council of ministers and laypeople meets monthly to manage the work of the Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches.[3] Local congregations use the abbreviation "IMC" after their name, e.g. Omagh IMC, representing the full name Omagh Independent Methodist Church.[6] The Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches adheres to Wesleyan theology, teaching two dominical sacraments, Baptism and Holy Communion, in addition to observing the ordinance of headcovering.[7][8] It promulgates the Methodist doctrines of the New Birth (first work of grace) and entire sanctification (second work of grace).[8][9] A periodical called The Alert is regularly published by the Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches.[7]

Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches
Lisnaskea Independent Methodist Church is a local church belonging to the Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches
ClassificationMethodism
OrientationConservative holiness movement
PolityConnexionalism
Origin1973
Separated fromMethodist Church in Ireland and Free Methodist Church (1973)
Official websitefimc.info

References
  1. Megahey, Alan (17 August 2000). The Irish Protestant Churches in the Twentieth Century. Springer. p. 154. ISBN 978-0-230-28851-5.
  2. Matthews, Rex Dale (2007). Timetables of History for Students of Methodism. Abingdon Press. p. 231. ISBN 978-0-687-33387-5.
  3. Cooney, Dudley Levistone (2001). The Methodists in Ireland: A Short History. Columba Press. p. 120. ISBN 978-1-85607-335-6.
  4. John Vickers (2008). "Free Methodist Church". A Dictionary of Methodism in Britain and Ireland. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  5. Johnson, Paul; Vanderbeck, Robert (9 May 2014). Law, Religion and Homosexuality. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-135-05518-9.
  6. Brown, James; Brown, Katie (2021). Outreach in Ipswich. p. 10-12. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  7. "Statement of Faith". Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches. 31 January 2022. Archived from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  8. Turley, F. J. (2012). "Holiness". The Alert. 2 (29): 14-15.
  9. "Brief Description". Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches. 26 January 2022. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
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