Difference between Free & United Methodist

Free Methodists are "Free" because of two things. As a church they didn't feel that other Methodists condemned slavery enough. Also they believe that people shouldn't be charged for a seat in a pew. These things don't apply anymore but these things happen.

Yes, the conference decides who the pastor is. And the pastor can make all the difference in the world. Right now at our UMC, we love our pastor. You would love his sermons. When the time comes for him and his family to leave, I just know I'm gonna cry.

Hmmm, this is interesting. Thanks for the info on the differences.

I guess I am so used to the Conference assigning pastors I really don't think much about chosing my own pastor. It's all I have ever known. I know that there is certain criteria that you have to have to be ordained in the Conference, so I accept that the pastor I am getting is truly called by the Lord and that the Conference has consulted Him in making their decision on where to place the pastors. I don't think it is done willy nilly. I know that I don't really like that they leave so regularly sometimes, but I do to an extent understand the reasoning behind it. I suppose it is all in what you are used to.

Having grown up Catholic and then attending Baptist churches for a bit, after I first joined UMC, it was strange to me when I learned the pastors would be moved. I can't say that I'm used to it yet, but I'll live with it.

rookie

Contarini said:

The Free Methodists were started just before the Civil War, I believe. They were staunchly anti-slavery, opposed to the practice of renting pews (which meant that the wealthy and influential members of the community had an exclusive right to much of the seating in the church), more evangelical and "holiness" in their outlook than other Methodists, and also more open to women's ministry.

Edwin

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I agree, my UMC history class I just attended says that the Free Methodist Church was started in 1860 by B.T. Roberts, broke off from the Methodist Episcopal Church due to slavery.