Living Hope, formerly known as Brooklyn First Free Methodist Church, was founded in 1869. After a long presence in our community spanning a century-and-a-half, God is leading us into an exciting new season of ministry in Park Slope, our surrounding communities, and beyond.
The following briefly describes our participation in the larger movement known as the Free Methodist Church.
Our Denominational Affiliation
The following is a brief synopsis of the beliefs and structure of the Free Methodist denomination to which we belong. For more detailed information, please click here.
John Wesley
In the early 1700’s John Wesley sought to reform the Church of England that had grown spiritually cold. He emphasized a personal relationship with Jesus, holy living and serving the poor. His followers were called “Methodists” because of their “methods” of daily devotion and ministry. Through Wesley and his follower’s preaching the movement grew and spread to America.
The Free Methodist Church
In 1784 Methodism began in America as a denomination separate from the Church of England. It flourished and spread rapidly across the nation. By 1860 the Methodist church had grown spiritually cold. A group of Methodist pastors and leaders led by B.T. Roberts wanted to bring renewal to the church. When their efforts were rejected they formed the Free Methodist movement in New York State. Since that time the Free Methodist movement has grown to over 1000 churches nationwide
Free Methodist Beliefs
The Free Methodist church was founded to stress several FREEDOMS. Some of these freedoms are:
Freedom for all people: They took a strong stand for freedom for the slaves.
Freedom for the poor: Pews in churches were rented, not free. Rich people got the seats, poor people the floor. FM said all people are welcome on the front row at no charge.
Freedom in worship: Worship had become performance & non-participatory. Free Methodists believed in participatory, heartfelt, and free worship of God.
Freedom for involvement: Free Methodists, although believing in spiritual authority through godly pastors, believed God could speak to all of His people and wanted to give them a voice in church ministry.
The Organization of the Free Methodist Church
- Bishops are elected by a conference of ministers and lay people every four years.
- Superintendents oversee each of the 25 districts in the United States. They are elected every four years by an annual conference of ministers and lay people elected by individual churches. LLCF is a part of the Free Methodist Southern California Conference.
- Pastors are appointed to churches after Superintendents work with local church leaders in finding the Pastor that could serve the church best. The pastor is then accountable morally and doctrinally to an official to a group of pastors and leaders called the Ministerial Educational Guidance Board.