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
Practial Atheism in Church?
Introduction: When Mission Becomes Functionally Godless Most of us leading evangelical churches would never dream of calling ourselves atheists. We preach Christ, we pray, we plan missions because we genuinely want people to meet Jesus. But if you sit in enough...
Reclaiming Tradition
Modern Christians love to sing about “tradition” when Tevye belts it out in Fiddler on the Roof, but many of us grow uneasy when the same word comes up in church. We instinctively feel the pull of Tevye’s point: tradition gives shape, identity, and continuity to a...
Why Put Candles on the Communion Table?
This article was originally written for and posted on HolyJoys.org s as having deep spiritual symbolism. What we see in historic sanctuaries, such as those in older Anglican, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches, represents a blend of practical development and...
On the Lectionary: More Formation Needed
A while ago I wrote about utilizing the Lectionary for preaching. This ancient tool provides Scriptures for every Sunday of the Church year, each passage carefully selected to guide the Church through the rhythms of Christ’s life and the great mysteries of the gospel....
Untangling Revelation
One of the perennial issues of discussion, disagreement, and consternation in modern Christianity is how to solve a “problem” like the book of Revelation (cue The Sound of Music). It is one of the most talked-about and also one of the most misunderstood books of the...
Manifesting vs. Prayer – to control or to recieve?
One of the most unsettling episodes in Scripture comes right after the healing of Naaman in 2 Kings 5. Elisha, the prophet of God, refuses the lavish gifts that Naaman brings in gratitude for his healing. But Elisha’s servant Gehazi cannot resist. He runs after...
Re-centering Healing Where It Belongs: Within Christ’s Body
Before I say anything, I want to affirm clearly and without hesitation that I believe in healings. I believe that God acts in the world today in ways that are truly supernatural, transformative, and beyond the reach of human explanation. I believe that the gifts of...
Communion Further Explored
Since becoming a pastor people have asked me what my favorite part of the role is. Initially I would say sermon preparation. And I do love it. The prayer, study, condensing of the message and delivery are things I enjoy very much. But as time has progressed and I am...
A Protestant and a Catholic Study Bible
I love Bibles. My wife will tell you that I have too many. Being a pastor, preparing sermons weekly, doing deep dives into themes and Scriptures, studying for fun, or for devotion, it is helpful to have a variety of study resources available to help one look at the...
Truth in Love: The Gospel’s Response to a World That Can’t Define Love
Over my lifetime, I’ve seen a massive shift in how our culture engages with ideas we disagree with. Growing up, disagreement was an opportunity to talk — to debate, discuss, and think through differences, strategies, outcomes, and intentions.Now, that kind of dialogue...
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.
