Who We Are
HISTORY
Let's start with the funny name!
"Zion": (pronounced like "lion" only start with a "z" sound instead of "l") an old Bible name which simply means "the Promise Land." The pioneer founders of our church felt their church and community and their land was full of promise. That was back in 1901. In 1976 the first building was replaced by the current structure.
"Methodist": this was a movement started by a fellow named John Wesley (June 28,1703 – March 2, 1791) who lived in England. Among many things, he felt the story of Jesus should not be confined to highfaluting churches. So he began preaching at the coal mines and even in graveyards - anywhere poor people could gather to listen. Rev. John Wesley was a part of the Anglican (Church of England) denomination, but soon after his death those who were a part of his movement exited. They formed their own denomination called the "Methodist" because they were methodical in their approach to scripture reading, prayer, and service to the Lord.
"Free": the word got tacked on in front of the word Methodist by a fellow by the name of B.T.Roberts (1823 – 1893) who lived in the U.S.A. As time went by, the Methodist denomination began to experience some spiritual coldness. Rev. B.T.Roberts tried to revive things but was "booted out" for his efforts. He and other like-minded pastors adopted the name "Free Methodist" for a number of reasons, among them, 1) freedom from slavery (Christians should not be allowed to own slaves); 2) freedom from rented pews (the poor of the congregation should be treated equally); 3) freedom of the Holy Spirit (that is God should direct a pastor on what he should teach, not have it mandated from some headquarters far away). In 1876, Rev. C.H.Sage brought Free Methodism to Canada. There are Free Methodist Churches from British Colombia to Quebec. To find the closest congregation you could check: http://fmcic.ca/congregations/
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Here are the basics:
1) We believe that God is both loving and absolutely just.
2) We human beings have sinned against God because of our pride. Our relationship with him was shattered.
3) Because of God's tremendous love for us he desire that we be reconciled with him, BUT
4) because of his sense of justice he can not let sin go unpunished.
5) To solve this dilemma, God sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to show us what God was really like and then to die upon a cross, taking on our sin and punishment and forgiving us, thereby making us able to enter into a relationship with him again.
6) However, this gift of forgiveness must be received by each individual person, and God has given us the responsibility to choose to love him or not.
7) When we do choose to receive his gift of forgiveness, we are given the presence of God (the Holy Spirit) to live in our life.
8) Then we start to grow (mature) in our new-found Christian faith by following the leading of the Holy Spirit, by reading God's word (the Bible) and by talking with God regularly, that's called prayer.
9) God calls us on to lead a life pleasing to Him; a life of full surrender to Him.
10) There is only one God, but he has three "persons": God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. If you say you don't completely understand that - that's o.k., neither do we, but it is a mystery. After all, who wants a god who is completely comprehendible by little feeble human minds!
Now if you would like to know in greater details what "Free Methodists" believe why not go to: http://fmcic.ca/our-ethos/articles-of-religion/
our vision statement → |
Zion Free Methodist Church exist for the purpose of: worshiping God Almighty, discipling God's children so they mature in their faith, equipping them so they can effectively serve God, His church, and our community, seeking to win others to God by evangelizing, and loving everyone in the process."
|