The Kerusso – April | 2021
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
EMC’s Heritage Anniversary Sunday Next month, the Evangelical Methodist Church will pass a milestone, celebrating 75 years in ministry. The anniversary will fall on a Sunday, and we invite you to celebrate with us by taking just a few moments on May 9th to commemorate the occasion of the organizing of the church at a meeting in Memphis, Tennessee on that same date in 1946. In the words of Dr. J. H. Hamblen, “I believe with all my heart that God has put the Evangelical Methodist Church in the world for such a time as this [because] I saw things begin to come that I knew were contrary to the will of God, and the Word of God, and that stirred my heart.”
(from an address to the Conference in July 1971, Wichita, Kansas)
Dr. Hamblen made those remarks as our church was celebrating its 25th anniversary. He spoke of how he had followed the conscience of his conviction and left the Methodist Church because of their slide toward “modernism.” The authority of the Bible was being rejected, and he felt he could no longer tolerate it. Soon after his decision to exit, he heard from others around the country who were feeling the same resolve, and an assembly gathered to discuss the formation of a new, theologically conservative church that would stand for truth upon the authority and inspiration of Scripture. The historical section of our Discipline includes this brief notation: “On May 9, 1946, in the city of Memphis, Tennessee, a small group of preachers and laymen met together for consultation and prayer, endeavoring to cope with the growing apostasy of the church. After long hours of waiting before God in prayer, they felt definitely led of God to organize the Evangelical Methodist Church.” ~ EMC Discipline ¶11 In the 75 years since our founding most mainline denominations have not tightened their stand on Scriptural authority. The reality is fewer and fewer hold an orthodox view, which is why our conservative witness and voice is vital. Indeed, in our time of declining moral condition and weakening theological conviction, we do stand opposed to certain things, and yet the Evangelical Methodist Church is not best described by listing things we are against, but by those we stand for! We believe that Jesus Christ is THE SON OF GOD; that he is indeed the world’s ONLY HOPE; and that just as he said, he is “THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE” (John 14:6). Jesus is the founder of the New Testament church, of which we are a small part. Together we have one purpose and vision, that is to be faithful disciples and ambassadors of his, carrying the pure Gospel with us into the world. Pastors, please take a few moments in your worship services on Sunday, May 9th, to celebrate the founding of the Evangelical Methodist Church, and to remind your people why we exist. Jesus is the focus, and he is the answer, and we humbly thank God for calling us into service, sending us out into a corner of his great harvest field. The world desperately needs Jesus Christ, and in his consummate wisdom he has commissioned us as witnesses to bear his name and character. “And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.” (2 Corinthians 5:18) ~ Max Edwards, EMC International General Superintendent