The Primitive Methodist is a resource for recovering the Anglican and sacramental heart of the Methodist tradition. Rooted in the evangelical faith, disciplined piety, and liturgical inheritance that formed early Methodism, we seek a renewed pan-Methodist identity—one shaped by Scripture, the historic Church, holy communion, baptismal life, and the pursuit of holiness.
In the 21st century, Methodism need not choose between evangelical conviction and catholic depth, personal conversion and sacramental grace, or mission and worship. We believe its original witness calls for all of these: a people formed at the altar, nourished by the means of grace, committed to holiness of heart and life, and sent into the world to proclaim Christ.
Want to Pray?
Primitive Methodist Prayer: Prayer in the Free Methodist Tradition invites you into the ancient rhythm of praying morning, midday and evening, rooted in the Wesleyan way. Each day follows the Revised Common Lectionary, offering psalms and Scripture readings from the Berean Standard Bible alongside meditations from Rev. Tyler Boyer’s Free Methodist prayer books. Pray alone or lead a group with the Solitude and Community versions, listen for the voices of John Wesley, Francis Asbury, B. T. Roberts and the saints of the Church, and close the day with the Daily Examen. Holy Communion can be added to morning or evening prayer, and the Services page includes a Sunday order of worship, Holy Communion, and Baptism and Confirmation. With Psalms you can sing, a collection of prayers from across the centuries, and a simple tracker to mark each time of prayer, it’s a companion for learning to live each day before God, free to use on any phone or computer at pray.theprimitivemethodist.com.
Recent Blog Posts
St. Brendan & the Case for the Christian Calendar
We are all subject to one kind of schedule or another. We all have something we are building our lives around, whether it is the secular national calendar where we immensely look forward to the 4th of July, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and other holidays where most get...
Gas Station Communion
There’s a joke of a conversation between a husband and wife talking about where they want to go for their date night. The husband promises his wife, after telling her to get all gussied up that it will be an expensive place. And they go to a gas station. Outside of a...
GMC Draft Liturgies and Free Methodist Liturgical Reform
Anyone who has known me for the last few years knows that I am a nerd, especially when it comes to all things liturgical. To highlight this, during the past weekend a pastor friend sent a message asking about why the lectionary readings between the Book of Common...
Original Methodism’s Sacramental Deficiency
In the study of the theology and practice of John Wesley one of the most evident realities was the very high place that John placed on the Sacraments. When you survey his journals it is obvious he celebrated the Lord’s Supper multiple times as week, and it became a...
B.E. Paul Ellis, “Parents Dedicate, The Church Baptizes”
This photo was pulled from the Light + Life Magazine issue published in 1984 that included excerpts from Ellis’ article
ONE Baptism for the Forgiveness of Sins
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins… This phrase of the Nicene Creed is declared in my church, like many around the world every Sunday. Much of the time we might not think about it too often, yet it carries much significance. I’ve written about Baptism...
Book Review – Against the Machine
Every once in a while you encounter a book that makes a deep and lasting impact. I remember when I read The Unseen Realm by the late Michael Heiser and my eyes were open to seeing the supernatural thread that was weaved all throughout Scripture. Taking seriously the...
Worship As an Evangelical Sacrament
Protestant Christians have two Sacraments, ordained by Christ. Holy Baptism where one enters into the people of God. The second is Holy Communion, the Christian Passover, where we come to not just remember His death, but where we receive His grace as we encounter Him...
Sacramental Neglect: Do we do what we say we believe?
In the Free Methodist Book of Discipline (2023), the phrase ‘means of grace’ is used 10 times throughout, as it should be as the guiding constitutional document for a denomination in the Methodist tradition. While an actual definition is not found within the BOD (it...
What is a Second Commandment Violation (2CV)?
“You keep using that word; I do not think it means what you think it means.” It is one of the most iconic lines in modern cinema. In The Princess Bride, Inigo Montoya delivers this line in response to Vizzini’s constant use of the word “inconceivable,” a word he...
Hi, my names is Joel
Joel Webb is an ordained Elder of the Shoreline Conference in the Free Methodist Church, and as a pastor, theologian, and writer, he explores the intersection of Scripture, historic worship, and spiritual formation through a sacramental worldview. He is committed to helping the Church recover theological depth and faithful worship practices as a means of shaping disciples in a polarized age. Through his preaching, published writings, and podcasts, Joel emphasizes the importance of Scripture in its historical context (both Biblical background and Patristic commentary), the formative power of liturgical tradition, and the call of the Gospel to transform both individuals and communities. Joel is co-chair of the Coordinating Council for the Free Methodist Liturgical Network.
Joel lives with his family in the Thumb of Michigan
Lead Pastor – Croswell FMC
Joel is lead pastor at Croswell Free Methodist Church. A liturgical and sacramental expression of Free Methodism that seeks to bring the beauty of Christian worship to the modern world.
