Free Methodist at Central - Central Christian College of Kansas Skip to content

Rooted in Wesleyan-Holiness

Group of students from 80's at an outside chapel

Rooted in Wesleyan-Holiness

Group of students from 80's at an outside chapel

Rooted in Wesleyan-Holiness

About  |  Free Methodist |  Core4  |  APPLY

Free Methodist

Providing the Theological Foundation & Direction for Central and Her Mission

About  |  Free Methodist |  Core4  |  APPLY

Free Methodist

Providing the Theological Foundation & Direction for Central and Her Mission

About  |  Free Methodist |  Core4
APPLY

Free Methodist

Providing the Theological Foundation & Direction for Central and Her Mission

Free Methodism

For over 160 years, Free Methodists have known that we have been invited to partner in the redemption narrative of the world, and to do that individuals need to be professionally equipped, rooted in Christ, transformed by Him to where we reflect his Character, to engage civically, and to seek restorative Justice for the other.

This page will cover:
History of Free Methodism
What We Believe
FM Way
Five Freedoms of Free Methodism

Photo of Bishop Cowart and Bishop Whitehead dancing in black Central shirts at the FMYC conference in 2022

Free Methodism

For over 160 years, Free Methodists have known that we have been invited to partner in the redemption narrative of the world, and to do that individuals need to be professionally equipped, rooted in Christ, transformed by Him to where we reflect his Character, to engage civically, and to seek restorative Justice for the other.

History of Free Methodism >
What We Believe >
FM Way >
Five Freedoms of Free Methodism >

Photo of Bishop Cowart and Bishop Whitehead dancing in black Central shirts at the FMYC conference in 2022
Photo of Bishop Cowart and Bishop Whitehead dancing in black Central shirts at the FMYC conference in 2022

Free Methodism

For over 160 years, Free Methodists have known that we have been invited to partner in the redemption narrative of the world, and to do that individuals need to be professionally equipped, rooted in Christ, transformed by Him to where we reflect his Character, to engage civically, and to seek restorative Justice for the other.

History of Free Methodism >
What We Believe >
FM Way >
Five Freedoms of Free Methodism >

To Grow…

Follow the Spirit and He will lead you into all truth. But it will often come through study and by searching out the revelations which God has made to others. If you would grow, you must love the truth. You must go hear men and women preach who have the ability and courage to preach the truth.” 
-B.T. Roberts, “Editorial Notes” The Free Methodist 1887

Cartoon version of B.T. Roberts & Ellen Roberts wearing Central shirts standing in front of vintage photo of Orleans Seminary.

Benjamin Titus (B.T.) & Ellen Roberts

B.T. Roberts,  who is attributed as one of the founders of Free Methodism, was a Methodist Episcopal (ME) pastor in rural New York who promoted returning to the traditional views and practices of Methodism. In 1860, he was voted out of the ME church primarily to his growing promotion of the importance of being accessible to the poor, standing against all forms of slavery, and growing political issues in his conference. From there the movement  that would become the Free Methodist Church started as a group of Methodist pastors and local leaders who worked to live out what would become their mission to “love God, love people, and make disciples.” (Book of Discipline, 2019.)

Cartoon version of B.T. Roberts & Ellen Roberts wearing Central shirts standing in front of vintage photo of Orleans Seminary.

Benjamin Titus (B.T.) & Ellen Roberts

B.T. Roberts,  who is attributed as one of the founders of Free Methodism, was a Methodist Episcopal (ME) pastor in rural New York who promoted returning to the traditional views and practices of Methodism. In 1860, he was voted out of the ME church primarily to his growing promotion of the importance of being accessible to the poor, standing against all forms of slavery, and growing political issues in his conference. From there the movement  that would become the Free Methodist Church started as a group of Methodist pastors and local leaders who worked to live out what would become their mission to “love God, love people, and make disciples.” (Book of Discipline, 2019.)

Cartoon version of B.T. Roberts & Ellen Roberts wearing Central shirts standing in front of vintage photo of Orleans Seminary.

Benjamin Titus (B.T.) & Ellen Roberts

B.T. Roberts,  who is attributed as one of the founders of Free Methodism, was a Methodist Episcopal (ME) pastor in rural New York who promoted returning to the traditional views and practices of Methodism. In 1860, he was voted out of the ME church primarily to his growing promotion of the importance of being accessible to the poor, standing against all forms of slavery, and growing political issues in his conference. From there the movement  that would become the Free Methodist Church started as a group of Methodist pastors and local leaders who worked to live out what would become their mission to “love God, love people, and make disciples.” (Book of Discipline, 2019.)

What We Believe

Free Methodists have six overarching belief statements that can be further broken down in individual doctrines of belief. The full statements can be found on FMCUSA.org or in the current Book of Discipline. The following is the overview statements.

God in white text

We Believe…
in One Living God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The Scriptures in White text

We Believe…
in the authority of God’s Word over our lives.

Humankind in white text

We Believe…
humankind are created in the image of God as free moral persons. 

Salvation in white text

We Believe…
that new life in Christ free from the guilt and penalty of sin, is given to all who believe.

The Church in white text

We Believe…
in The Church. The people of God, who exist to fulfill the purposes of God in Christ.

Last Things in white text

We Believe…
in the Kingdom of God established now in the hearts of believers, the return of Christ, at a time chosen by the Father, and our hope in the resurrection and eternal glory. 

What We Believe

Free Methodists have six overarching belief statements that can be further broken down in individual doctrines of belief. The full statements can be found on FMCUSA.org or in the current Book of Discipline. The following is the overview statements.

God in white text
The Scriptures in White text

We Believe…
in One Living God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

We Believe…
in the authority of God’s Word over our lives.

Humankind in white text
Salvation in white text

We Believe…
humankind are created in the image of God as free moral persons.

We Believe…
that new life in Christ free from the guilt and penalty of sin, is given to all who believe.

The Church in white text
Last Things in white text

We Believe…
in The Church. The people of God, who exist to fulfill the purposes of God in Christ.

We Believe…
in the Kingdom of God established now in the hearts of believers, the return of Christ, at a time chosen by the Father, and our hope in the resurrection and eternal glory. 

What We Believe

Free Methodists have six overarching belief statements that can be further broken down in individual doctrines of belief. The full statements can be found on FMCUSA.org or in the current Book of Discipline. The following is the overview statements.

God in white text

We Believe…
in One Living God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The Scriptures in White text

We Believe…
in the authority of God’s Word over our lives.

Humankind in white text

We Believe…
humankind are created in the image of God as free moral persons.

Salvation in white text

We Believe…
that new life in Christ free from the guilt and penalty of sin, is given to all who believe.

The Church in white text

We Believe…
in The Church. The people of God, who exist to fulfill the purposes of God in Christ.

Last Things in white text

We Believe…
in the Kingdom of God established now in the hearts of believers, the return of Christ, at a time chosen by the Father, and our hope in the resurrection and eternal glory. 

The FM Way

The Free Methodist Way (FM Way) is the outcome of diligent work to clearly articulate the things that make Free Methodism unique and what the denomination offers the Church and culture at large. It is made up of 5 values that shape the corporate and personal identity of Free Methodists. To read more go to fmcusa.org/thefmway.

Icon for Life-Giving Holiness

Life-Giving Holiness

GOD’S CALL TO HOLINESS was never meant to be a burden, but a gift that liberates us for life that is truly life by delivering us from the destructive power of sin.

Icon for Love-Driven Justice

Love-Driven Justice

LOVE IS THE WAY WE DEMONSTRATE GOD’S HEART FOR JUSTICE by valuing the image of God in all men, women, and children, acting with compassion toward the oppressed, resisting oppression, and stewarding Creation.

Icon for Christ-Compelled Multiplication

Christ-Compelled Multiplication

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST — the message He proclaimed, the life He lived, and the ministry He modeled — set into motion a redemptive movement destined to fill the whole earth. 

Icon for Cross-Cultural Collaboration

Cross-Cultural Collaboration

FROM THE BEGINNING, GOD’S INTENT WAS TO HAVE A PEOPLE FROM EVERY NATION, culture and ethnicity, united in Christ and commissioned to carry out His work in the world.

Icon for God-Given Revelation

God-Given Revelation

WE HOLD UNWAVERINGLY to our conviction that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and our final authority in all matters of faith and practice.

The FM Way

The Free Methodist Way (FM Way) is the outcome of diligent work to clearly articulate the things that make Free Methodism unique and what the denomination offers the Church and culture at large. It is made up of 5 values that shape the corporate and personal identity of Free Methodists. To read more go to fmcusa.org/thefmway.

Icon for Life-Giving Holiness

Life-Giving Holiness

GOD’S CALL TO HOLINESS was never meant to be a burden, but a gift that liberates us for life that is truly life by delivering us from the destructive power of sin.

Icon for Love-Driven Justice

Love-Driven Justice

LOVE IS THE WAY WE DEMONSTRATE GOD’S HEART FOR JUSTICE by valuing the image of God in all men, women, and children, acting with compassion toward the oppressed, resisting oppression, and stewarding Creation.

Icon for Christ-Compelled Multiplication

Christ-Compelled Multiplication

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST — the message He proclaimed, the life He lived, and the ministry He modeled — set into motion a redemptive movement destined to fill the whole earth. 

Icon for Cross-Cultural Collaboration

Cross-Cultural Collaboration

FROM THE BEGINNING, GOD’S INTENT WAS TO HAVE A PEOPLE FROM EVERY NATION, culture and ethnicity, united in Christ and commissioned to carry out His work in the world.

Icon for God-Given Revelation

God-Given Revelation

WE HOLD UNWAVERINGLY to our conviction that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and our final authority in all matters of faith and practice.

The FM Way

The Free Methodist Way (FM Way) is the outcome of diligent work to clearly articulate the things that make Free Methodism unique and what the denomination offers the Church and culture at large. It is made up of 5 values that shape the corporate and personal identity of Free Methodists. To read more go to fmcusa.org/thefmway.

Icon for Life-Giving Holiness

Life-Giving Holiness

GOD’S CALL TO HOLINESS was never meant to be a burden, but a gift that liberates us for life that is truly life by delivering us from the destructive power of sin.

Icon for Love-Driven Justice

Love-Driven Justice

LOVE IS THE WAY WE DEMONSTRATE GOD’S HEART FOR JUSTICE by valuing the image of God in all men, women, and children, acting with compassion toward the oppressed, resisting oppression, and stewarding Creation.

Icon for Christ-Compelled Multiplication

Christ-Compelled Multiplication

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST — the message He proclaimed, the life He lived, and the ministry He modeled — set into motion a redemptive movement destined to fill the whole earth. 

Icon for Cross-Cultural Collaboration

Cross-Cultural Collaboration

FROM THE BEGINNING, GOD’S INTENT WAS TO HAVE A PEOPLE FROM EVERY NATION, culture and ethnicity, united in Christ and commissioned to carry out His work in the world.

Icon for God-Given Revelation

God-Given Revelation

WE HOLD UNWAVERINGLY to our conviction that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and our final authority in all matters of faith and practice.

Five Freedoms of Free Methodism

Why “Free”?  The word free was added as the designation for the churches because they were distinctly anti-slavery and ensured that all people had free access to church which at that time was uncommon. These things are still true but as the denomination further defined what it wanted to be known for five specific things became what they are known for. 

1. Freedom of all races to worship together in unity.
2. Freedom of women and men to be treated respectfully and use their gifts equally in the church, in the home and in the world.
3. Freedom of the poor to be treated with dignity in the church and with justice in the world.
4. Freedom of the laity and clergy to be given equal authority and decision-making positions within the church.
5. Freedom of the Holy Spirit to inspire our worship.

Five Freedoms of Free Methodism

Why “Free”?  The word free was added as the designation for the churches because they were distinctly anti-slavery and ensured that all people had free access to church which at that time was uncommon. These things are still true but as the denomination further defined what it wanted to be known for five specific things became what they are known for. 

1. Freedom of all races to worship together in unity.
2. Freedom of women and men to be treated respectfully and use their gifts equally in the church, in the home and in the world.
3. Freedom of the poor to be treated with dignity in the church and with justice in the world.
4. Freedom of the laity and clergy to be given equal authority and decision-making positions within the church.
5. Freedom of the Holy Spirit to inspire our worship.

Female Student preaching in chapel

Five Freedoms of Free Methodism

Why “Free”?  The word free was added as the designation for the churches because they were distinctly anti-slavery and ensured that all people had free access to church which at that time was uncommon. These things are still true but as the denomination further defined what it wanted to be known for five specific things became what they are known for. 

1. Freedom of all races to worship together in unity.
2. Freedom of women and men to be treated respectfully and use their gifts equally in the church, in the home and in the world.
3. Freedom of the poor to be treated with dignity in the church and with justice in the world.
4. Freedom of the laity and clergy to be given equal authority and decision-making positions within the church.
5. Freedom of the Holy Spirit to inspire our worship.

Interested in Learning More

Interested in Learning More

Interested in Learning More

Black square with the Light and Life logo in white and red

Light & Life

Check out Light & Life for additional information on what is happening with Free Methodists around the world! L&L features articles and podcasts of everyone from local leaders to the bishops. Whatever your interest level, there is something for you.

Bruce Cromwell, white tall man with beard, speaking in chapel in Greer Auditorium in front of a podium.

Take a Class

Central offers two classes online to learn more. You can take Free Methodist History and Polity and Wesleyan Thought fully online. In these classes you will study B.T., Ellen, and John Wesley and the movements that have lead to where we are today. 

Brown building with words Free Methodist Church on it. This is the logo for the Marston Free Methodist Archive logo

Marston Memorial Historical Center

With over 160 years of rich history, there are countless incredible resources. The Martson Center is the historical arm of the denomination and houses free access to many of the impactful books or resources for Free Methodists around the world. 

Back To Top