Congregational Methodists are in the tradition of John Wesley, Wesleyan-Arminian in doctrine, congregational in system of worship, republican or representative in system of government, connectional in nature, missionary in outlook, evangelistic in endeavor, and cooperative in spirit. (Each local church calls its pastor, owns its property, and sets its budget.)
Congregational Methodists believe and preach the basic, fundamental doctrines of the historic Christian Faith within the framework of traditional Methodism. Divine inspiration of the Scriptures The new birth The deity of Christ The virgin birth of Christ The redemptive death of Christ and His resurrection The pre-millennial second coming of Christ Entire sanctification as the second definite work of grace subsequent to regeneration.*
The Congregational Methodist Church is located primarily in the South, and is expanding to new areas where there are people who are looking for a church where the Bible is preached and taught and the schedule of activities is designed to minister to them on the level of their need.
Denominational activities are directed from the Congregational Methodist Church Headquarters at Florence, Mississippi, which include the following: The General Conference President's Office The Offices of Clerical Ministries The Division of Church Ministries The Division of Educational Ministries (Wesley College) The Division of Mission Ministries
The President of the General Conference oversees all the programs of the divisions of the church and the work of all support groups in the denomination. He promotes the spiritual and fiscal leadership of the General Conference and develops goals with the Executive Committee, the Division Directors, and the Annual Conferences for small, medium size, and large church care and growth, for evangelism and church planting at home and abroad and discipleship of all members.
The Clerical Office receives, receipts, and disburses General Conference Funds. It handles the financial resources and insures that all personnel and facilities are adequately bonded and insured. The office keeps financial records in accord with current laws and regulations, and procures the services of an auditor annually.
The Division of Church Ministries produces, procures, and promotes quality educational materials for S.S., C.M.T.H., W.M.S., V.B.S.; provides training for teachers and leaders; and publishes the official organ of the denomination, the MESSENGER.
The Division of Educational Ministries is Wesley College, and offers baccalaureate degrees in Biblical literature, Christian Education, Christian Ministries, Pastoral Studies, and Religious Education. A two-year general education program is available for students who do not plan to enter church vocations. A three-year ministerial certificate program designed to prepare the adult learner for his ministry is also available. Wesley is accredited by the American Association of Bible Colleges and the State of Mississippi.
The Division of Mission Ministries includes a cross-cultural missions outreach which is steadily increasing with missionaries serving Latin America, Europe, and among American Indians, Mexican-Americans, and in inner cities of the United States; and includes the directing of the planting of new churches and assisting existing churches in programs of evangelism and church growth.
The governmental structure of the church consists of the local church conference, the annual conference, and general conference. Delegates are elected from the local church conference to the annual conference, and from the local church conference to the general conference.