Good News Free Methodist Church

Real People, Real Relationships, Real Growth and Change, Together Making a Real Difference

Visiting a new church can come with a whole host of feelings, one of which is the fear of the unknown: how do they dress, what do they sing, what are the people like, will I sit when I should stand? Hopefully the following information will help you understand a little more of what GOOD NEWS is like.

GOOD NEWS was started in 1991 by Rev. Sam Schreffler, a church planter with the Free Methodist Church. Initially, we met in the basement of an office building on Trindle Road, close to the YMCA. Several years ago, Pastor Sam moved to New York to continue his church planting efforts and Pastor Al Sones stepped into the leadership role of senior pastor.

We average about 100 people at our weekly celebration services. If you are looking for a church where you can consistently come and go without being noticed--we're not the place. The smaller size has allowed for the people in our congregation to get to know and embrace each other well. If you're looking for a smaller congregation where people want to know you by something other than "the family that sits in that particular set of seats each week", check us out.

We are not a formal church, but we are a lively church. We invite you to dress in attire in which you feel comfortable, whether that is traditional Sunday morning clothes, or jeans and a T-shirt. During our worship, people are encouraged to use appropriate forms of expression, such as lifting their hands and clapping. The songs are primarily choruses, but hymns often find their place in the mix. While Pastor Al's messages are interspersed with humor, you will find in them a challenge to go deeper into the Christian life. During the service, time is made available for prayer for specific needs and sharing of testimonies.

Differences between Free Methodists and United Methodists

In a nutshell, the Free Methodist church differs from the United Methodist church in that it continues to provide a more uniform expression consistent with historic Methodism.
Both the United Methodist Church (commonly referred to as Methodist) and the Free Methodist Church share a common heritage, hearkening back to the Wesleyan revival in England during the middle 1700s.
However, by the middle 1800s concern arose over the waning of several key expressions of the Wesleyan revival. So the Free Methodist Church began as an attempt to restore those vital "Wesleyan" convictions, such as the doctrine of entire sanctification, the concern for the poor, the vision to end discrimination and racism, and Christian growth through small groups.
Since that time the Free Methodist church has proven itself capable of preserving a sound commitment to classic conservative Christian doctrines such as the infallibility of scripture, salvation by faith, and the deity of Jesus Christ. Free Methodist Church FAQ

More information on basic doctrines of the Free Methodist church.

For more information on where the Free Methodist church stands on things such as abortion, ordaining women, etc.

Please feel free to call the Ministry Center and ask to speak with someone , or email us at GoodNewsFMC@aol.com.