| Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches | |
| Orientation: | Conservative holiness movement |
| Polity: | Connexionalism |
| Founded Date: | 1973 |
| Separated From: | Methodist Church in Ireland and Free Methodist Church (1973) |
| Website: | fimc.info |
The Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches (FIMC) is a Methodist denomination aligned with the conservative holiness movement that is based in the British Isles, with missions around the world.[1] The history of the Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches is a part of the larger history of Methodism in the British Isles, with the connexion forming as the result of a number of congregations departing both the Methodist Church in Ireland and the Free Methodist Church in 1973 due to what they perceived as the rise of Modernism in those denominations.[2] [3] [4] The connexion is theologically conservative, aiming to uphold the original ethos of early Methodism.[5] Though each congregation calls its own minister, a General Council of ministers and laypeople meets monthly to manage the work of the Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches.[3] Local congregations use the abbreviation "IMC" after their name, e.g. Omagh IMC, representing the full name Omagh Independent Methodist Church.[6] The Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches adheres to Wesleyan theology, teaching two dominical sacraments, Baptism and Holy Communion, in addition to observing the ordinance of headcovering.[7] It promulgates the Methodist doctrines of the New Birth (first work of grace) and entire sanctification (second work of grace).[8] [9] A periodical called The Alert is regularly published by the Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches.[7]