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CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
PREAMBLE
A/375. We believe rites and ceremonies of the church are to be accorded
respect. Members should not through private judgment willfully and
purposefully disregard the rites of the church to which they belong.
Such rites are not the same in all places or churches. There have
always been differences reflecting the diversity of times and countries
and the customs of society. Therefore, we acknowledge the right
of every denomination to change and ordain rites and ceremonies,
for the edification of all. But let nothing be ordained against
God's Word.
A/376. Public worship in our churches shall seek a balance between
freedom and form. Preaching shall be emphasized as a means of edifying
believers and converting sinners. All public worship shall be in
the language of the people.
1. ORDER OF PUBLIC WORSHIP
A/377. The Sunday morning corporate worship service should provide
four basic results:
- (1) to provide opportunity for the praise of God;
- (2) to give worshipers insight into the will of God;
- (3) to lead individuals to commit themselves personally to God's
revealed will; and
- (4) to strengthen the dedicated person to perform the will of
God.
To accomplish these desired results, each service should include
congregational singing, reading from the Scriptures, pastoral prayer,
the Lord's Prayer, and preaching. The apostolic benediction is recommended
for dismissing the congregation.
Other services shall include congregational singing, prayer, reading
from the Scriptures, and preaching. On occasion, sharing, healing
of human hurts, and other forms of worship may be used. The order
of services should avoid routine by providing fitting variations
in worship forms within the limitations of propriety, the Scriptures,
and specific rituals when used (Chapter IX).
By precept and example, the minister shall insist on reverence and
a worshipful attitude before, during, and after worship.
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2. MUSIC
A/378. The purpose of music in divine worship service is to inspire
and to sustain worship. Vocal and instrumental music used in the
service shall seek to contribute to reverence and exalted worship
and not the display of talent, however excellent. Qualified persons
whose character and life reveal the scriptural principles and support
the standards of the Free Methodist Church shall be selected to
lead the singing in public worship and to play the instruments.
Congregational singing is a part of divine worship in which all
persons present should unite. Worship services should be planned
which encourage all members to worship meaningfully together. Care
should be given to include worship music which recognizes our Methodist
heritage in hymnody and gospel songs, while concurrently considering
the musical styles and compositions of the present.
3. LOVE FEAST
A/379. The love feast is one of the fascinating yet least understood
aspects of the rites of the early church. John Wesley reintroduced
it to millions of modern Christians, to whom it proved (and still
proves) an inspiring means of grace. Historically, Free Methodists
observed the love feast at least once in three months.
Love feasts are characterized by the singing of hymns, opportunity
for testimony, extemporaneous prayer, and the breaking of bread
in symbolizing the meals shared by the early Christians. The love
feast is not to be confused with the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
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4. CHRISTIAN GROWTH GROUPS
(CLASSES)
A/380. In the year 1739 eight or ten persons sought the spiritual
counsel and guidance of Mr. Wesley in London. They asked that he
spend time with them in prayer and the study of the Scriptures.
Thus began the Methodist United Societies. Members saw themselves
as "a company of persons having the form and seeking the power
of godliness, united in order to pray together, to receive the word
of exhortation, and to watch over one another in love, that they
may help each other to work out their salvation."
For the purpose of Christian nurture and more intimate fellowship,
societies were divided into classes, not exceeding twelve in number.
These classes proved to be one of the most important features in
the perpetuation of the Methodist revival. The practice of Christian
nurture through small groups has always been regarded as a vital
feature of the Free Methodist Church.
Christian growth groups should be formed within the congregation
for the careful oversight of the members and the confirmation of
seekers in the assurance of God's forgiveness in Christ. Membership
in the groups ideally should be not more than twelve. A leader shall
be chosen by the group, and the pastor may nominate. The groups
should meet in a convenient location on a regular schedule.
Group meetings should be devoted to meaningful creative prayer;
the study of the Scriptures; the sharing of needs, aspirations,
and victories; and fellowship in Christian love. Persons not yet
believers should be invited into the fellowship as they desire to
learn of Christ.
Leaders of small groups should be chosen carefully. They shall be
members of the Free Methodist Church, persons of mature Christian
faith and experience. They should have a good understanding of the
Scriptures and agree fully with the doctrines and practices of the
church. (See Pars. A/620, A/621.)
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5. SERVICES WITH SACRAMENTS
AND RITUALS
_ A/381. Rituals are provided in Chapter IX of the Book of Discipline
to provide for uniformity in certain special services used throughout
the denomination. However, the total service providing the context
in which the appropriate ritual is used is left to the discretion
and order of the minister in charge. Appropriate variations in forms
of worship may be used with propriety to enrich the worship experience.
Pastors are exhorted to prayerfully consider making every service
involving a ritual a fresh means of grace for the worshiper.
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