Above Board A Position Paper of the Free Methodist Church - USA
Above Board
A Position Paper of the Free Methodist Church — USA
A Contemporary FMC Understanding of and Approach to Problems of Secrecy, and Our Desire to Live
Relationally in Christlike Harmony
September 2020 — pg. 15
¶3132 Secret Societies
The Christian’s supreme loyalty is to Jesus Christ who is Lord (Romans 14:9; Acts 2:36). In
every association Christians must keep themselves free to follow Christ and obey the will of
God (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). Therefore, as members of the Free Methodist Church we abstain
from membership in secret societies.
Those voluntary associations which demand an oath, affirmation, promise of secrecy or a secret
password as conditions of membership are to be considered secret societies. In contradiction
to the teaching of Christ and the New Testament, these societies require pledges and vows
which bind the future actions of those who join (Matthew 5:34-37). As Christians, therefore,
we refuse to swear unreserved loyalty to any secret society since we see such an allegiance
to be in direct conflict with unconditional surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord. We must keep
ourselves free to follow the will of the Lord in all things.
Most secret societies are religious in nature. Prayers are offered, hymns are sung, and members
engage in acts of worship before an altar. Chaplains are chosen to lead in worship and to
conduct funerals. But the worship of these societies is typically unitarian, not Christian; the
religion is moralistic, not redemptive; and the ends are humanistic, not evangelical (Acts
4:12). We refrain, therefore, from membership in all secret societies and when we unite with
the Church we resign from active membership in any lodge or secret order previously joined.
Introduction
Secrets are universally popular for insiders of clubs, cliques or organizations, but are not enjoyable for
those adversely affected by them. In fact, trading in secrets can cause incalculable damage to individuals,
groups and entire organizations.
Historic Free Methodism and Secrecy
The Free Methodist Church — as part of a comprehensive worldview committed at its founding to help
the poor and disenfranchised, care for the widows and orphans, raise the value of women in life and
access to leadership in ministry, and advocate for the freedom of slaves — also made a commitment
for its members to be free from membership in secret societies (Book of Discipline Par. 3132). Distinct
commitments to abolition, gender equality, care for the poor, and freedom from secret societies closely
affirm the church’s principle that no one should be excluded, marginalized, or disadvantaged. Everyone is
valued, and thereby informed and supported.