Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en las Islas Filipinas
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| Classification | Protestant |
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| Orientation | Mainline Evangelical Christianity and Methodism |
| Polity | Episcopal |
| Leader | Bishop Nathaniel P. Lazaro |
| Associations | Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, National Council of Churches in the Philippines |
| Geographical area | Worldwide |
| Founder | Bishop Nicolas V. Zamora |
| Origin | February 28, 1909 Tondo, Manila, Philippines |
| Separated from | Methodist Episcopal Church |
| Tertiary institutions | 1 |
| Official Website | www.iemelif.org |
Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en las Islas Filipinas (IEMELIF) (English:The Methodist Evangelical Church of the Philippine Islands) was founded February 28, 1909 by Bishop Nicholas Zamora. It is the first Indigenous Evangelical Church in the Philippines.
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[edit] History
[edit] Prologue
Behind the founding of the Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en las Islas Filipinas (IEMELIF) on February 28, 1909 lies the long history of the struggle of the Filipino people for independence. The nearly 400 years of oppressive foreign domination under the Spanish governors and friars kindled a smoldering desire in the hearts of the Filipinos to seek freedom from alien control. This passion found expression in numerous uprisings led by fearless Filipino heroes whose names and exploits adorn Philippine history.
When the Americans came at the turn of the century, they were a radically different lot. First, they brought with them the more enlightened evangelical faith which they promptly propagated, together with the early Filipino evangelists, with literally missionary zeal all over the country. Second, they practiced religious toleration, a complete departure from their predecessors.
Although the Americans upheld the principle of religious freedom, the Filipinos wanted more — a truly self-governing church consistent with their yearnings for political freedom.
In this setting, a group of Filipino preachers in the Methodist Episcopal mission in Tondo put up an organization, “Ang Katotohanan” (The Truth), whose objective was to carry on evangelistic work in the Philippines under the leadership and aegis of Filipino evangelicals. Among the members of this organization were Filipino men whose names shall permanently etched in the annals of the Philippine evangelical history.
But they had a problem. Who was to be their leader? Besides, the Americans applied all sorts of ‘carrots and sticks’ to keep them in the fold. Besides the group though imbued with fervor was inexperience in church matters. Economic logistics were also wanting.
[edit] Nicolas Zamora
At about this time, a young Filipino preacher had been making quite a name for himself. His eloquence, his zeal, his brilliance as a speaker, had become well known among the Filipino faithful and among the Americans as well. He had also achieved quite a distinction; he had been ordained the first Filipino Protestant minister, and was one the founder and pastor at what is now the Knox Memorial Church. His name was Nicolas Zamora y Villegas.
In the young Zamora’s veins flowed the blood of the freedom-loving patriots. His own father, Don Paulino Zamora, had been banished from the country for possession of a Bible. Don Paulino’s uncle, Father Jacinto Zamora, was one of the immortal Gomburza triumvirate who had been executed by the Spaniards for their patriotic leanings.
Nicolas Zamora, when approached by the “Ang Katotohanan” group, accepted the leadership against the advice and importuning of the Americans. After some concerted preparations, the group established the Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en las Islas Filipinas. The date: February 28, 1909. Their vision and motivation: Their faith in God’s providence, and their belief that the Filipino had it in him to put up his own evangelical church that was to be self-supporting, self-governing, and self-propagating.
[edit] After Zamora
The fledgling group, fired by both patriotic and religious ardor, quickly grew in numbers and spread rapidly in the capital and in surrounding provinces. But on September 14, 1914, death suddenly claimed Pastor Zamora. The mantle of leadership fell upon the shoulders of Bishop Alejandro H. Reyes, who vowed to continue the expansion of the Church. His successor, Bishop Victoriano Mariano, aside from continuing the evangelization program from 1921 to 1926, also focused on Christian education. He saw to it that the church members knew what church membership was all about. His efforts earned him recognition as the “Father of Religious Education.” The succeeding administration from 1926 to 1939 under Bishop Francisco Gregorio aimed to consolidate and build upon the achievements of his predecessors with the view to fortifying the church organization. Bishop Gregorio initiated the formulation of the IEMELIF’s own Discipline, based upon the Methodist Episcopal Discipline which the Church had been using with minor adaptations until then. The first Central Temple was also built during this time in Tondo, Manila, at the site of the present Cathedral. Fire gutted that first temple in 1941, which had taken such a long and arduous effort to build.
The War Years of 1941 to 1945 were trying in the life of the Church. The occupying Japanese authorities wanted all Protestant churches consolidated into one Church. Bishop Matias B. Valdez, then the General Superintendent from 1939 to 1947, together with Bishop Dionisio D. Alejandro of the Methodist Church, firmly stood against the plan, and succeeded, whereas other churches yielded to the pressure.
Bishop Eusebio Tech’s administration (1947-1952) saw the democratization of the Church organization. The discipline was revised to provide for the creation of the Supreme Consistory of Elders, a board that became the policy making body of the Church, while the General Superintendent became the head of the Episcopacy which was tasked with the function of administration.
The brief term of Bishop Marcelino C. Gutierrez (1952-1953) made important contributions in the organization of the Ministerial and Lay Workers Institute as a permanent agency of the Church. This institute, which later evolved in 1991 into the present IEMELIF Bible College, has continued operating to this day, trains the ministers, deaconesses and other lay workers of the Church. The years 1953-1972 saw rapid progress in the Church with Bishop Lazaro G. Trinidad at the helm of the Church. It was during this time that the long-standing project to rebuild the Cathedral edifice was finally completed. The Church also introduced the then innovative central fund system. The Church then also formalized relationships with other religious organizations, both local and foreign. Long range planning was also initiated.
Bishop Geronimo P. Maducdoc took over the general superintendence in 1972 to 1980. This administration marked the greater participation of laymen in the church administration with the inclusion of two laymen in the hitherto all-minister Supreme Consistory. Among its other achievements: 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. A highly ambitious evangelization program dubbed “Eighty by 1980” was also launched.
Bishop George F. Castro took over as the tenth General Superintendent in 1980. The thrust of this administration was to adapt the Church to the changing times, to improve church administration, to enhance the evangelistic efforts, to see to the improvement of the status of the ministers and other church workers, both as to their professional standards and in their economic situation as well. This administration will go down the history for having broken the shell that long encrusted the Church in isolation. Under his leadership the IEMELIF participated in both local and international meetings and fellowships.
In 1992, the IEMELIF Church began experiencing some issues within its episcopal offices which led to the breaking away of some 105 local churches and ministers forming what is now known as the IEMELIF Reform Movement (IRM). The original group is referred to those in the IRM as the "IEMELIF Admin." Both groups take active parts in the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, the nation's umbrella organization for Evangelical Christians. However, the IEMELIF Admin takes a more vital role in the mainline Protestant movement within the National Council of Churches in the Philippines.
In 2009, the two factions of the historic IEMELIF denomination in the Philippines celebrated its 100th anniversary in two separate locations. The IEMELIF Admin celebrating at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City while IRM held theirs at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
[edit] IEMELIF Today with Some Changes
Bishop Nathanael P. Lazaro was elected as the eleventh General Superintendent in the year 2000. Being imbued with administrative abilities, he caused significant changes in the organization and administration of the Church to make it more attuned to the ‘great commandment’ of the Lord Jesus Christ as stated in the Gospels. His efforts lead to the over-all amendment of the IEMELIF Book of Discipline in 2007.
[edit] Vision-Mission
[edit] Vision
That the Church is Triumphant in the 21st Century thereon.
[edit] Missions
- To propagate the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Philippines and in the world at large so that men may be brought into membership in the family of God. (Matthew 28:18-20)
- To shape the Christian life of the members bound in Christian love and unity assembling together in sacred worship and service to one another in the love of Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13)
- To employ progressive methods that shall produce effective and exemplary workers and a vital life for the Church; put into practice scientific and practical management principles and methods in the administration of its affairs, which shall ensure smoothness and effectiveness in its operations, and foster a robust, sound and vigorous fiscal condition.(I Corinthians 14:40)
[edit] 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 typhoons, earthquakes, and fires. 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.
[edit] Governance
| General Superintendents of the Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en las Islas Filipinas |
| Bishop Nicolas 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 Lazaro G. Trinidad, 1953 - 1972 |
| Bishop Geronimo P. Maducdoc, 1972 - 1980 |
| Bishop George F. Castro, 1980 - 2000 |
| Bishop Nathaniel P. Lazaro, 2000 - present |
The church is led by a General Superintendent, who is responsible for the well being of all the temples within the jurisdiction of the IEMELIF. The current General Superintendent is the Bishop Nathaniel P. Lazaro, who accepted the post in the year 2000.
