Evangelical Methodist Church in the Philippine Islands
Evangelical Methodist Church in the Philippine Islands | |
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Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en las Islas Filipinas | |
Abbreviation | IEMELIF |
Classification | Mainline Protestant |
Orientation | Methodism |
Polity | Connectionalism (Modified episcopal polity) |
General Superintendent | Bishop Noel M. Abiog |
General Secretary | Rev. Elben B. Rodriguez |
Associations | National Council of Churches in the Philippines Christian Conference of Asia World Methodist Council |
Region | Philippines |
Headquarters | Beulah Land IEMELIF Center Marytown Circle, Greenfields 1 Subdivision, Brgy. Kaligayahan Quirino Highway, Novaliches, Quezon City, Metro Manila 1124 |
Founder | Nicolás V. Zamora |
Origin | February 28, 1909 Manila, Philippines |
Separated from | Methodist Episcopal Church |
Separations | I am Redeemer and Master Evangelical Church (IRMEC) (2011) |
Official website | https://www.iemelifchurch.com/ |
The Evangelical Methodist Church in the Philippine Islands (Spanish: Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en las Islas Filipinas) is a Methodist Christian denomination. Founded on 28 February 1909 by Bishop Nicolás Zamora, it is recognised in the Philippines as the first indigenous Evangelical Protestant denomination.
History
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Behind the founding of the IEMELIF were
When the United States of America
A group of Filipino preachers in the Methodist Episcopal mission in Tondo put up "Ang Katotohanan” (The Truth), an organisation that carried on evangelistic work in the country.
Nicolás Zamora
When approached by Ang Katotohanan, Zamora accepted the leadership against the advice and importuning of the Americans. After some preparation, the group established the Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en las Islas Filipinas on 28 February 1909. Their vision and motivation was faith in God's providence, and belief that the Filipino was capable of erecting a self-sustaining, autonomous, and self-propagating evangelical church.
After Zamora
The fledgling Church quickly grew in numbers, spreading rapidly in Manila and its surrounding
During the
Post-war
Bishop Eusebio Tech's administration (1947–1952) saw the democratisation of the Church. The Discipline was revised to create of the Supreme Consistory of Elders, a board that became the legislative body of the Church, whilst the general superintendent became the head of the Episcopacy, an organ which was tasked with administration.
The brief term of Bishop Marcelino C. Gutierrez (1952–1953) saw important contributions in the organisation of the Ministerial and Lay Workers Institute as a permanent agency of the Church. The Institute, which in 1991 became the present IEMELIF Bible College, trains the ministers, deaconesses, and other lay workers of the Church. Bishop Lázaro G. Trinidad's leadership (1953–1972) saw rapid progress; it was during this time that the Cathedral was finally rebuilt. The Church also introduced the then-innovative central fund system, and formalised relationships with both local and foreign religious groups.
Bishop Gerónimo P. Maducdoc took over as general superintendent from 1972 to 1980. His administration was marked by greater participation of the laity in Church administration, with the inclusion of two laymen in the Supreme Consistory, which until then had been composed of only ministers. Among its other achievements were the Pagasa Trust Fund, intended to finance the social security needs of the Church; The Church Building Construction fund, to help in emergency needs for church construction; the Manpower Development Program, to train both ministers and laymen in religious, financial and social fields; and the evangelisation program dubbed “Eighty by 1980”.
Bishop George F. Castro took over as the tenth general superintendent in 1980. The thrust of his administration was to adapt the Church to the changing times, to improve Church administration, to enhance evangelistic efforts, and to improve the professional and economic situation of ministers and Church workers. The IEMELIF also became more outgoing, participating in both local and international meetings and fellowships.
Schism
In 1992, the IEMELIF began experiencing some issues within its episcopal offices, which led to the secession of some 105 local churches and ministers forming what is now known as the IEMELIF Reform Movement (IRM), led by Bishop Reynaldo C. Domingo. The IRM initially referred to the original body as "IEMELIF Admin", which signifies acknowledgement of administration by the latter. In 2009, the two factions celebrated the IEMELIF's centennial in separate locations. The IEMELIF Admin held a programme at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, while the IRM held theirs at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.
In late 2011, the IRM completed its schism from the IEMELIF and is now registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as the I am Redeemer and Master Evangelical Church (IRMEC), leaving only one IEMELIF in the whole of the Philippines. IEMELIF maintains its membership to the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, while IRMEC joined the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches.
Recent years
Bishop Nathanael P. Lázaro was elected as the eleventh general superintendent in 2000. Imbued with administrative abilities, he caused significant changes in the organisation and administration of the Church to make it more "attuned to the
Government recognition
In October 1979 — in celebration of both the 80th anniversary of Methodism in the Philippines and the 70th founding anniversary of the IEMELIF — the Metro Manila Commission renamed Sande Street fronting the Church's cathedral to Nicolas Zamora Street, after the Church's founder.[1]
During the 75th founding anniversary of the IEMELIF,
Civic contributions
The Church does not confine itself to purely internal matters. It also conducts public crusades and rallies, as well as house-to-house Bible studies.
It also involves itself in civic and community affairs, extends help to victims of natural calamities like
It is also active in helping promote matters of public interest such as the movements against drug use and against air and water pollution. Helping promote public awareness of civic duties like voting is among its concerns.
Governance
The church is led by a general superintendent, who is responsible for the well-being of all churches within the jurisdiction of the IEMELIF. The current general superintendent is Bishop Noel M. Abiog, who accepted the post in 2016.
General superintendents of the Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en las Islas Filipinas |
Bishop Nicolás V. Zamora, 1909 – 1914 |
Bishop Alejandro H. Reyes, 1914 – 1922 |
Bishop Victoriano Mariano, 1922 – 1928 |
Bishop Francisco Gregorio, 1928 – 1939 |
Bishop Matias B. Valdez, 1939 – 1948 |
Bishop Eusebio Tech, 1948 – 1952 |
Bishop Marcelino C. Gutierrez, 1952 – 1953 |
Bishop Lázaro G. Trinidad, 1953 – 1972 |
Bishop Gerónimo P. Maducdoc, 1972 – 1980 |
Bishop George F. Castro, 1980 – 2000 |
Bishop Nathanael P. Lázaro, 2000 – 2016 |
Bishop Noel M. Abiog, 2016 – present; |
IEMELIF Cathedral
IEMELIF Cathedral | ||
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Style Gothic | | |
Groundbreaking | 1928 | |
Completed | 28 February 1959 | |
Specifications | ||
Number of spires | 2 | |
Clergy | ||
Bishop(s) | Rev. Noel M. Abiog |
The original cathedral of IEMELIF was built in 1928 and took 13 years to build. It was destroyed in a large fire that gutted Tondo, Manila on 3 May 1941 but was rebuilt at the same site and completed on 28 February 1959, which was also the Church's 50th anniversary.[1]
Architect Benjamin T. Felix drew up the structural design of the new cathedral.
A large, newly constructed
Gallery
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Upper façade
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Narthex and Choir loft
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West end of the cathedral
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Right transept with balcony
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The nave
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Left Pulpit
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Altar and sanctuary
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Pews with carved woodwork
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Iron hanging lamp
References
- ^ ISBN 971-92075-0-7.
External links
- Official website
- Media related to Evangelical Methodist Church in the Philippine Islands at Wikimedia Commons