Ang Iglesia Metodista sa Pilipinas: Difference between revisions

|name = Ang Iglesia Metodista sa Pilipinas <br/>The Methodist Church in the Philippines <!-- It only needs the English translation-->

|parentbranched_from = [[Methodism]]

'''Ang Iglesia Metodista sa Pilipinas''' ([[Tagalog language|Tagalog]] for '''The Methodist Church in the Philippines''', also known as '''AIM Pilipinas''') is an indigenous autonomous Methodist church in the [[Philippines]]. The founders of the church, led by Presiding Bishop Rev. [[Lito Tangonan]] officially registered inon December 7, 2011 the congregation with the [[Government of the Philippines|Philippine Government]] through the [[Securities and Exchange Commission (Philippines)|Securities and Exchange Commission]].<ref>[http://www.tripleiconsulting.com/main/philippines-government-registrations/philippines-government-agencies#sec SEC Philippine Government webpage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426025804/http://www.tripleiconsulting.com/main/philippines-government-registrations/philippines-government-agencies#sec |date=2012-04-26 }}; accessed 26 August 2015.</ref>

The group adopted the methods of [[John Wesley]] as the father of [[Methodism]].<ref>[http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/Wesley/shorthistory.stm John Wesley biography] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413175648/http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/Wesley/shorthistory.stm |date=April 13, 2012 }}, gbgm-umc.org; accessed 26 August 2015.</ref> <ref>{{Bibleref2cbibleverse|Rev|22:18-19}}</ref> Like the rest of Methodists in the world, it is a Trinitarian, apostolic and mission church which adheres to the deity of [[Jesus Christ]].

From the early 1980s a call for autonomy within [[The United Methodist Church]] was discussed at many conferences led mostly by bishop candidates to come up with mutual understanding and a treaty of goodwill although the dream of self-determination started in the 1960s. Most of the requests were rejected that prompted some leaders to make a unilateral decision. And in the middle of 2010 decisive action of members spearheaded by the "Wounded Healers" led to the establishment of the ''Ang Iglesia Metodista sa Pilipinas'', with Methodist groups in Palawan, Bataan, Zambales, Pangasinan, Bulacan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Metro Manila Area, some of Pampanga, and Cavite.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}

Each quasi-district held distinct conferences and appointed their leaders, workers and missionaries. Key leaders of the movement were Bishop [[Lito C. Tangonan]], Rev. George O. Buenaventura, Ms. Chita R. Millan and Atty. Joe Frank E. Zuñiga. The Bulacan group <ref>{{cite web|url=http://aimpilipinas.blogspot.com/2011/06/annual-conference-at-iral.html|title=AIM Pilipinas Blogsite: Conference at Iral|work=AIM Pilipinas|accessdate=26 August 2015}}</ref> was led by Emil C. Macarasig, District Superintendent, who held a separate conference in Guiguinto, parallel to the one held in Plaridel by the United Methodist Church on 20 May 2011.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}

The group declared its full autonomy and incorporated legally with [[Securities and Exchange Commission (Philippines)|Securities and Exchange Commission]] of the Philippines and was approved on 7 December 2011 with papers held for by present procurators. It now has 126 local churches all over the Philippines. The first general Christmas Youth Assembly<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aimpilipinas.org/index.php/news/73-i-am-free-the-first-christmas-youth-assembly-2011|title=AIM Pilipinas site|work=AIM Pilipinas|accessdate=28 March 2012}}</ref> with the theme "I AM FREE!" was held in John Wesley Methodist Center at Brgy. Gugo, Samal, Bataan from December 26–29, 2011 with a total of 342 official delegates. Rev. Lito Tangonan became the first bishop of the autonomous church and was consecrated on 17 March 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aimpilipinas.blogspot.com|title=AIM Pilipinas Blogsite|work=AIM Pilipinas|accessdate=26 August 2015}}</ref>

AIM-Pilipinas embraces the doctrines introduced by [[John Wesley]]<ref name="Longhenry-Wesleyanism">{{cite web|url=http://www.deusvitae.com/faith/denominations/wesleyanism.html |title=Wesleyanism |publisher=Longhenry |accessdate=26 May 2009 |deadurlurl-status=yesdead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725124513/http://www.deusvitae.com/faith/denominations/wesleyanism.html |archivedate=25 July 2009 |df= }}</ref> and adheres to his method that was later called the [[Wesleyan Quadrilateral]]: four sources of beliefs, i.e. Scripture, Reason, Tradition and Experience.<ref>{{cite web|first=Albert C.|last=Outler|authorlinkauthor-link=Albert C. Outler|url=http://wesley.nnu.edu/fileadmin/imported_site/wesleyjournal/1985-wtj-20-1.pdf|title=The Wesleyan Quadrilateral in John Wesley|editor=Jason Gingerich|publisher=Wesley Center for Applied Theology|year=1985|accessdate=2011-04-18}}</ref> The group believes that the church should be free to follow the Holy Bible as the sole reference of faith and discipline in the church or [[prima scriptura]].<ref name="UMC - Wesleyan Quadrilateral">{{cite web|url=http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=258&GID=312&GMOD=VWD&GCAT=W|title=Wesleyan Quadrilateral|publisher=The United Methodist Church|accessdate=26 August 2015}}</ref> It has suspended the use of the United Methodist Church's [[Book of Discipline (United Methodist)|Book of Discipline]]. The group tolerates diversity in styles of worship services as it encourages autonomy to all congregations.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}

*Leaning Bamboo Cross reflects the unique Philippine art blend. The bamboo symbolizes strength and flexibility. The bamboo could bounce back if it is being bent down. The leaning cross emphasizes resilience. The cross generally emphasizes [[Christianity]] or death of [[Jesus Christ]] or live a Christian life.<ref>{{Bibleref2cbibleverse|Gal|2:20}}</ref>

*The dove in [[Philippine Flag]] color symbolizes freedom<ref>{{Bibleref2cbibleverse|Gal|5:1}}</ref> of the indigenous Methodist church in the Philippines. It also symbolizes patriotism in a greater sense of Christianity. The dove also symbolizes the Holy Spirit. <ref>{{Bibleref2cbibleverse|Acts|10:13-17}}</ref>

*[[Bamboo]] border is an optional mark symbolizes brotherhood<ref>{{Bibleref2cbibleverse|John|13:34-35}}</ref> and one faith among indigenous Methodist churches in the country. Bamboo is a very common art form in the Philippines as the raw materials are always available.

AIM Pilipinas adopted the model from Holy Bible on how the apostles run the church. Although most of the hierarchical positions are maintained the group believes in the equality for all.<ref>{{Bibleref2cbibleverse|Gal|3:26-28}}</ref> All clergies must originate from the local churches and they must be members of them. The bishop is a member of the church and the locale that he/she resides as well as the District Supervisors, Elders and local pastors. As suggested during the conference coinciding the Christmas Youth Assembly in December 2011 at Samal, Bataan, a bishop should be elected by all members of the church with which he/she will represent as a presiding head although presently Bishop Tangonan was nominated during May 2011 conferences.

Membership in the church is free and equal.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}} The infants must be presented to the church before being baptized on the right age. The right age of baptism is when the child understands the basic doctrines in the Holy Bible. Converts are also encouraged baptism in the water as the first step of membership and must adhere to the salvation of the souls and accepting the grace from God through [[Jesus Christ]] at the same time submitting to the mission that [[John Wesley]] taught.<ref name="Establishments">{{cite book|url = https://booksarchive.google.comorg/books?iddetails/modelsforchristi0000unse|url-access =0qKNkgSKPXsC&pg registration|page =PA290&dq=wesleyan+christian+church+hospitals+schools+orphanages+universities+serve+others#v=onepage&q&f=false [https://archive.org/details/modelsforchristi0000unse/page/290 290]|title =Models for Christian Higher Education: Strategies for Survival and Success in the Twenty-First Century|publisher = [[William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company]]|quote=Wesleyan institutions, whether hospitals, orphanages, soup kitches, or schools, historically were begun with the spirit to serve all people and to transform society.|accessdate = 2007-10-18|isbn =9780802841216|year =1997}}</ref>

The local church council is the basic unit of church governance composed of council person, assistant, secretary, treasurer, auditors, youth representation, young adults, church men and women and board of trustees. As elders of the local church they collect opinions and decisions for any changes they will make. They decide who they would send as pastor to the district or to their own. This idea was taken from [[Acts of the Apostles]] with which elders are appointed in every church.<ref>{{Bibleref2cbibleverse|Acts|14:23}}</ref>

*[https://archive.istoday/20130415034736/http://jesusknights.org/profiles/blogs/aim-pil-given-a-national-headquarter/ AIM Pilipinas Quarter]

*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130418183528/http://aimpilipinas.org/ AIM Pilipinas Website]

[[Category:ReligiousChristian organizations established in 2011]]