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
When an Atheist goes to Church
One of the many things that I have been hearing in a variety of church circles the last couple years is the question, “what makes our church welcoming to an outsider?” And I believe this question comes from a good place, because we want to see people encounter Jesus...
Apostolic Succession: A Protestant Perspective
When talking about historic theology, and the development of the Church throughout the ages, one of those topics that is bound to come up, particularly when talking to Roman Catholic or Orthodox brothers & sisters is the idea of Apostolic succession. According to...
The Forgotten Office: Restoring the Deacon’s Role in the Life of the Church
Recently I did a post about the need to refocus the role of pastors (derived from presbyter in the NT and also called priest in some traditions) back to its historic and Scriptural role of being a priest, rather than a business leader. Since then I have been thinking...
Reformation Day 2025
Today is Reformation Day. October 31st is the day that Martin Luther posted his 95 theses, an open request to debate points of theology and abuse going on in the Medieval Roman Catholic Church. Here’s the thing…posts about today from both Protestants and Roman...
Beyond the Number: Recovering the Meaning of the Sacraments
The question and conversation of Sacraments, particularly in the Protestant context, is an interesting one. Primarily, it is not even over the number of Sacraments—that, as we’ll see, is a secondary concern. Often the prevailing question is, “Do Sacraments even...
Canterbury on the Rocks
Less than a month ago the first woman was appointed to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury. This decision has thrown the Anglican world into a fury of activity and debate as to what to do next. As an outsider of the Anglican Communion it has been fascinating to...
Ravenous Restorationism
When one studies Church history as a Protestant there are one of two avenues to approach it. The first is that of the magisterial reformers such as Luther, Calvin, Cranmer and others who saw the ongoing move of the Church as good, with the need to reform and adapt to...
Evangelical Pastor’s as Priests…not CEO’s
Over my lifetime I have seen many different types of Church leadership styles come and go, in and out of vogue. Most of them have been focused on the leadership qualities and abilities that one possesses, and how do we develop them further for use in the church...
The Need for Evangelical Sacramental Confession
Evangelical Christianity has rightly emphasized that forgiveness is grounded in the once-for-all atoning work of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:10–14), received by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8–9). Yet Scripture and the historic Christian tradition alike reveal...
Evangelical Sacramentalism: Recovering a Sacramental Worldview
Within the spiritual framework and practice of many evangelical Christians in the United States, there exists a significant gap in our understanding and application of the historical theology and praxis of the sacraments—or, more broadly, of sacramental actions. These...
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.
