Editing Free Methodist Church (section)

==Beliefs and practices== 
In doctrine, Free Methodists’ beliefs are the standard beliefs of Wesleyan-[[Arminianism|Arminian]] Protestantism, with distinctive emphasis on the teaching of [[entire sanctification]] as held by [[John Wesley]], to whom the Free Methodist Church traces its origins.<ref name="FMC-John Wesley">{{cite web|url = http://www.freemethodistchurch.org/Sections/About%20Us/Basic%20Info/FAQs/What%27s%20A%20Free%20Methodist.htm|title = Who are Free Methodists?|publisher = Free Methodist Church|access-date = 2009-05-28|archive-date = March 17, 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090317084610/http://www.freemethodistchurch.org/Sections/About%20Us/Basic%20Info/FAQs/What%27s%20A%20Free%20Methodist.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref>

The Free Methodist Church, along with the [[United Methodist Church]], shares a common heritage linked to the Methodist revival in England during the 18th century. The Free Methodist Church itself arose within the context of the [[holiness movement]] within 19th century Methodism.<ref name="ReferenceC">Free Methodist Church of North America</ref>

The first general superintendent, B. T. Roberts, was in favor of ordaining women, but never saw it take place in his lifetime. Out of his own conviction he wrote ''Ordaining Women: Biblical and Historical Insights''. The impact of his writings eventually prevailed in the church. The Free Methodist Church affirmed the ordination of women in 1911.<ref>The Female Pastor: Is There Room for She in Shepherd</ref> As of June 2008, women represented 11% of ordained clergy (216 of 2,011) and 26% of candidates for the ministry.<ref name="ReferenceC"/>

Free Methodists recognize and license unordained persons for particular ministries. They mandate lay representation in numbers equal to clergy in the councils of the church.<ref name="ReferenceA">''2007 Book of Discipline'', Free Methodist Church of North America</ref>

As a reaction to paid musicians in the [[Methodist Episcopal Church]], early Free Methodists enjoyed [[A cappella#Christian|a capella]] congregational hymns during worship. However, the General Conference of 1943 voted to allow each Conference to vote on whether or not their churches could have instrumental music.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1996&dat=19430619&id=baAiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bK8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2624,7104324|title = Free Methodists to Have Church Music. The Daily Times Beaver and Rochester (NY), June 19, 1943, p. 2.|access-date = 2011-12-30}}</ref> As a result, pianos and organs became common across most conferences. Currently, many churches have worship teams composed of vocalists, drums, keyboards, guitars, and other instruments.