My church is part of the Rio Texas Conference and recently disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church. Our pastor had been reassigned last June so we have had an interim in place that is leaving in a week. We have begun our search for a new pastor. We are becoming an independent church that will follow a Methodist Wesleyan theology.

Our disaffiliation should be official on December 2, so we will be starting a more aggressive search at that time. I have been reaching out to leaders at various churches in our area trying to get the word out. I expect that there are UMC or former UMC pastors who are looking for new opportunities. We feel that we have a great opportunity. I am seeking any feedback on the best methods or practices on identifying candidates who might be interested. Any guidance that you can provide would be appreciated.

OldSchoolRdAg said:

---

My church is part of the Rio Texas Conference and recently disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church. Our pastor had been reassigned last June so we have had an interim in place that is leaving in a week. We have begun our search for a new pastor. We are becoming an independent church that will follow a Methodist Wesleyan theology.

Our disaffiliation should be official on December 2, so we will be starting a more aggressive search at that time. I have been reaching out to leaders at various churches in our area trying to get the word out. I expect that there are UMC or former UMC pastors who are looking for new opportunities. We feel that we have a great opportunity. I am seeking any feedback on the best methods or practices on identifying candidates who might be interested. Any guidance that you can provide would be appreciated.

---

Are you going independent or Global Methodist?

We are becoming an independent church that will follow a Methodist Wesleyan theology.

Lutherans most certainly do not hold to "once saved always saved."

TheGreatEscape said:

---

Pretty sure that Wesleyans do not hold to eternal security.
They don't believe in "once saved always saved."

Neither do Lutherans. But I love all of them the same.

---

Well, there are some Methodists who identify with a more Calvinist theology. Perhaps Charles Stanley's Eternal Security is a good first stop.

Good point. Forgot he was a Methodist.

George Whitfield was a Methodist…He was my kind of Methodist.

And Charles, John's brother, was as well…

Great hymn writer!

Pro Sandy said:

---

UTExan said:

---

TheGreatEscape said:

---

Pretty sure that Wesleyans do not hold to eternal security.
They don't believe in "once saved always saved."

Neither do Lutherans. But I love all of them the same.

---

Well, there are some Methodists who identify with a more Calvinist theology. Perhaps Charles Stanley's Eternal Security is a good first stop.

---

Wesley did not subscribe to eternal security as any reading of his teachings would show. There are many things taught in Methodist churches that Wesley did not teach.

---

Wesley did not. Howell Harris definitely did. Whitefield also leaned toward eternal security IIRC.

Yep. Whitfield was definitely Reformed (Calvinist).

Terminus Est said:

---

I would like to throw my hat in the ring, with a warning. I have some small attachments to Rome which may prove problematic for you and the congregation.

---

I would also like to throw my hat in the ring.
I would be preaching like Whitfield and we would grow in faith and numbers.

We could call it, "Heritage Methodist Church." Or "Heritage Church…"

OP, we are in very similar situations, although we are a few months behind you. I'm chairing our church's post-disaffiliation team and expect that we will also become Independent Wesleyan (to be confirmed by vote soon).

Might be good to touch base and compare notes! Shoot me an email at pletchm (at) gmail. Thanks.

UTExan said:

---

Pro Sandy said:

---

But the Methodist church is Wesleyian. The Methodist church doctrine does not hold to eternal security. You'll find people in the church teaching and believing it, but it is not a Methodist doctrine.

It was one of my first steps away from the Methodist, the comfort that eternal security gives that even on my worst day, God holds and keeps me in Him and I do not have to fear day to day if I am saved.

---

I agree. How can you ever be secure in a Heavenly Father's love if you may lose it at any moment?

---

Agree. Eternal security and complete trust in Christ for that security is the firm foundation of my faith. And when I pray, I often hear that still, small voice reassuring me that mine and my family's names are all written in the book of life.

Brings such peace and joy.