New Methodist Conference
How We Began
Like all American Methodism, the New Methodist Church has its roots in the first Methodist Conference - the "Christmas Conference" - of 1784, held in Baltimore.
More directly, the NMC arose out of a series of "Wesley lunches" between Rev. Rob Angus Jones and Rev. Deborah Giordano, who were drawn together by parallel journeys and a passion for Wesley's extraordinary life and teaching. Years before they met, each had left the United Methodist Church during seminary as a vote of conscience, feeling that the UMC was not walking its talk, and that it had abandoned Wesley's core values. Each minister in the intervening years had found refuge in supportive small independent denominations, where they were each ordained for ministry. A mutual friend brought them together, when Rev. Jones participated in Rev. Giordano's ordination.
Rob and Deborah realized that there must be other exiles from the mainline denominations, and recognized the
Spirit's invitation to make a new oasis of inclusive and generous Christian faith and practice for all who could
no longer find a home in other denominations. Rev. Jones determined to formally create such a place, to offer
hospitality to spiritual pilgrims, and empower ministry to and for those ignored or rejected by the mainline
denominations.
Their vision was given form when the New Methodist Conference was created on 1 May 2005, and formally organized at the innaugural Annual Conference in October 2005.