This past September, the Global Methodist Church held its historic Convening General Conference. Reflecting on the event over the past few months, I wanted to document some surprises that stood out to me. These moments captured the spirit of this pivotal gathering and left a lasting impression.
1. Worship That Sounded Heavenly
Watching the worship services during the conference, I was blown away by how incredible the music sounded—even through the livestream. Mixing live worship bands for an online audience is notoriously challenging, yet the result was stunning.
This is a testament to the hard work and talent of the worship team, including Rev. Sterling Allen and Rev. Tesia Lee Mallory. Their efforts helped bring a sense of connection and reverence to all who participated, whether in Costa Rica or tuning in from afar.
2. Outstanding Coverage by Christianity Today
I was pleasantly surprised by the exceptional coverage of the event by Christianity Today. Daniel Silliman’s on-the-ground reporting brought the heart of the conference to life, capturing both its historical significance and joyful spirit.
Silliman’s insights on social media and articles like:
- “It’s Okay to Say We’re Born Again”: Global Methodists Embrace Evangelical Identity
- Global Methodists Find Joy in Costa Rica
- Global Methodist Bishops to Dance
Silliman’s writing highlighted the distinctive ethos of the Global Methodist Church, including its focus on sanctification and renewal. In an age where Methodism often receives less-than-favorable media coverage, it was refreshing to see the vibrancy of our tradition celebrated so widely.
3. Jimmy Towson’s Brief Candidacy as Bishop
A touching surprise was seeing Jimmy Towson briefly considered as a candidate for bishop. Each delegation was asked to present someone as a nominee alongside the existing slate of candidates, and Jimmy’s name was offered.
Jimmy has been a vital leader in the South Georgia Conference of the Global Methodist Church, and I have no doubt he would have made an excellent bishop. True to his humble nature, he graciously withdrew his name early in the process to help streamline the voting. Even so, his brief nomination was a moment of pride for many of us in South Georgia.
4. Missing Out on the Experience
The biggest surprise for me personally was not being able to attend the conference in Costa Rica. My daughter, who was recovering from a broken tibia, had an unfortunate fall just 30 hours before my departure, breaking her femur. While my wife encouraged me to go, I felt it was best to stay home and care for her during such a challenging time.
Although I couldn’t be there in person, I am deeply grateful to our South Georgia delegation. Both clergy and laity represented us with grace and faithfulness, helping to pave the way for a bright future in the Global Methodist Church.
The Convening General Conference was a historic moment for our denomination, full of worship, joy, and vision for the future. Though I watched from afar, I continue to reflect on how these surprises reveal God’s faithfulness and the promise of renewal within our church.
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It is a new day in Methodism. The rapidly expanding Global Methodist Church (GMC) is blazing a trail for what the future of Orthodox Wesleyan-Methodism could and should be. Along the way, we can correct problems large and small.
One thing I implore all pastors and worship teams to consider is to celebrate an entire season of Pentecost instead of one Sunday. Most churches follow some sort of calendar to celebrate high holy days like Christmas and Easter. Some even celebrate the Christian seasons of Advent before Christmas and Lent leading into Easter. For each of these seasons there are colors traditionally associated with these seasons.
- Purple or Blue for Advent
- White or Gold for Christmastide
- Purple for Lent
- White or Gold for Easter
- Red for Pentecost
- Green for Ordinary Time
There once was a time where the church calendar celebrated an entire season of Pentecost. Now, the majority of churches I know of put out the color red on Pentecost Sunday then the majority of summer time they move to ordinary time which is green and last from Trinity Sunday until the start of Advent.
Pentecost is the day the Holy Spirit came to the church in what looked like tongues of fire (Acts 2:1-4). This is why the liturgical color is red. Pentecost is an important season for many reasons. Most important, the Day of Pentecost marked the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Christian church. The disciples who were hiding behind locked doors become bold in proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The church exploded with gifts of prophecy, teaching, healing, deep discipleship, encouragement, and hope. These are the types of movements we desire in the GMC.
The 1964 The Methodist Hymnal I think had it right. They had a season of Pentecost where the color was red and it lasted from eleven to sixteen Sundays.
Out of all the challenges facing the GMC the liturgical colors might not even crack the top one thousand. Still, let’s keep the red out and remind ourselves about the Holy Spirit, the birth of the church, and this important aspect of the life God is calling us to.
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What is Baptism in the Global Methodist Church?
January 26, 2024
What is baptism in the Global Methodist Church (GMC)?
While working on my sermon on Jesus’ baptism I compiled a list of what the Global Methodist Church. No need for it stay only in a personal folder. Here is my compilation. Please share what you find helpful. I am always open to feedback if you see anything that needs clarity or correcting.
Here are the foundational documents we have at the moment.
The Catechism
The GMC has “an educative and regulative formulation of doctrine” document in a question and answer format called a catechism. In A Catechism of Christian Faith and Doctrine for the Global Methodist Church we have information about baptism found in in questions 33, 34, 40, 41, and 42. Here they are:
33. Do you believe that there is but one baptism?
Yes. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. (Eph. 4:4-6.)
34. What is Baptism?
Baptism signifies entrance into the household of faith and is a symbol of repentance and inner cleansing from sin, a representation of the new birth in Christ Jesus, and a mark of Christian discipleship. (Acts 2:37-39; Rom. 6:1-5; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Gal. 3:27-28; Col. 2:11-14; Heb. 10:19-22; CoF VI.)
40. How many Sacraments are there?
Two Sacraments are ordained by Christ our Lord, namely Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. (2 Kgs. 5:14; Isa. 44:3; Ezek. 36:25-27; Mark 14:22-24; Matt. 26:26-28; 28:19; Luke 22:19-20; John 3:5; 6:53- 58; Acts 22:16; CoF VI.)
41. May we baptize children?
Yes. We believe children are under the atonement of Christ and as heirs of the Kingdom of God are acceptable subjects for Christian Baptism. (Luke 18:15-17; Acts 10:44-48; 16:15, 30-34; 18:8; 1 Cor. 1:16; CoF VI.)
42. Is Baptism sufficient for salvation?
No. Baptized children should be nurtured and led to personal acceptance of Christ, and by profession of faith confirm their Baptism. (Deut. 6:20-25; Mark 16:16; John 1:12; 3:16; Acts 2:38; 16:29-34; Rom. 10:9-11; CoF VI.)
From the Transitional Book of Doctrines and Disciplines there is information of baptism found in
- the Nicene Creed (A.D. 381),
- Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church
- Article XVI – Of the Sacraments
- Article XVII – Of Baptism
- The Confession of Faith of the Evangelical United Brethren Church
- Article VI – The Sacraments
- Paragraph 304 – Ministry of Laity
- Paragraph 314 – The Meaning of Baptism
- Paragraph 315 – The Mode and Practice of Baptism
Nicene Creed
“We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins”
Article of Religion of the Methodist Church XVI – Of Sacraments
“Sacraments ordained of Christ are not only badges or tokens of Christian men’s profession, but rather they are certain signs of grace, and God’s good will toward us, by which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm, our faith in him.
There are two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel; that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord.
The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to be gazed upon, or to be carried about; but that we should duly use them. And in such only as worthily receive the same, they have a wholesome effect or operation; but they that receive them unworthily, purchase to themselves condemnation, as St. Paul saith.”
Article of Religion of the Methodist Church Article XVII – Of Baptism
“Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christians are distinguished from others that are not baptized; but it is also a sign of regeneration or the new birth. The Baptism of young children is to be retained in the Church.”
The Confession of Faith of the Evangelical United Brethren Church Article VI
“We believe the Sacraments, ordained by Christ, are symbols and pledges of the Christian’s profession and of God’s love toward us. They are means of grace by which God works invisibly in us, quickening, strengthening and confirming our faith in him. Two Sacraments are ordained by Christ our Lord, namely Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
We believe Baptism signifies entrance into the household of faith, and is a symbol of repentance and inner cleansing from sin, a representation of the new birth in Christ Jesus and a mark of Christian discipleship.
We believe children are under the atonement of Christ and as heirs of the Kingdom of God are acceptable subjects for Christian Baptism. Children of believing parents through Baptism become the special responsibility of the Church. They should be nurtured and led to personal acceptance of Christ, and by profession of faith confirm their Baptism…”
Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline Paragraph 304. Ministry of Laity
“All Christians are called through their baptism to be in ministry to others, both as individuals and as a part of the church, using the gifts and graces with which they have been equipped by the Holy Spirit”
Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline Paragraph 314 – The Meaning of Baptism
“Through Holy Baptism we are united in Christ’s death in repentance of our sins; raised to new life in Him through the power of the resurrection; incorporated into the Body of Christ; and empowered through the work of the Holy Spirit to go on to perfection. Holy Baptism is God’s gracious gift to us, flowing from the once for all work of Christ Jesus, and our pledge to follow as His disciples.”
Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline Paragraph 315. The Mode and Practice of Baptism (See paragraph 316 for full Baptismal Vows).
“Holy Baptism may be performed by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. The outward and visible sign of Holy Baptism is water. Candidates are baptized “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). The inward and spiritual grace is death to sin and new birth to righteousness by faith through union with Christ in His death and resurrection.
Holy Baptism is administered among a gathered congregation. Those present vow on behalf of Christ’s Holy Church to receive the baptized into the Church universal, to grow together in grace, and to remember the profession made and benefits received in Holy Baptism. Candidates for Holy Baptism, and those presenting candidates unable to answer for themselves, shall be instructed in the Christian faith and the meaning of Holy Baptism.
Holy Baptism, as initiation into Christ’s Holy Church, occurs once in a person’s life. Holy Communion serves as the regular and continual affirmation of baptismal vows within the church. Through a service of baptismal remembrance and reaffirmation of baptismal vows people can renew the covenant declared at baptism.”
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David Donnan 