Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Wouldn’t it be great to gather with warm-hearted and Spirit-filled friends who value the ministry partnerships we have as Free Methodists? After all, this year the FMC will be 150 years old! And, as we gather, wouldn’t it be great to focus joyfully on our common heritage in celebrating the transforming grace of Jesus that targets all persons, and especially the poor? And would’t it be even better if in our gathering we shaped the entire agenda to anticipate the Holy Spirit speaking into our assembly, equipping and launching us into the next four years of mission as a church?  If you agree you will want to be part of the 2011 General Conference.

We have captured our reason for gathering in one word: WHOLE.

We envision deepening our understanding of, and recommitting to, the whole gospel as good news for the whole world and the whole person. And to do justice to this focus we simply must have a good representation from the whole Free Methodist Church.

We are serious when we speak of shaping the entire agenda around this worthy focus! We have formulated a plan to care for the essential business of the church as quickly and efficiently as possible, so that the bulk of our time will be filled with learning what our calling is, exploring how best to share the whole gospel with the whole world, hearing from practitioners of whole-gospel ministry, praying and discerning how Free Methodists may embrace a future mission consistent with our founders’ original passion, and formulating plans that will take us there. In contrast to former General Conferences, perhaps, this gathering will not be especially for delegates, but for all who yearn for the Free Methodist Church to be at its best in coming decades and who have ideas and vision for what the Spirit is saying to the church.

We urge you to reserve July 13-17, 2011 for participation in what we are convinced will be a great gathering. The campus of Roberts-Wesleyan College and North Eastern Seminary in North Chile, NY is the place. We will expect to see you there!

Expectantly,

The Board of Bishops

Free Methodist Church