A Little About ARM

Aldersgate Renewal Ministries is the "working name" of the United Methodist Renewal Services Fellowship, Inc. (UMRSF). The UMRSF is a network of United Methodists who are praying and working together for the spiritual renewal of the United Methodist Church, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The UMRSF is a non-profit religious corporation and is supported entirely by the freewill gifts of those who have caught the vision and share the burden of renewing the church, the body of Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. The UMRSF receives no financial support from the General Church.

The UMRSF is a movement that is committed to "Bringing the life of the Holy Spirit into the life of the Church." Our purpose is to glorify Jesus and to provide witness and teaching regarding the person and work of the Holy Spirit in the renewal of the church and in personal spiritual growth.

Since 1974, the UMRSF has sponsored Aldersgate, an annual, national conference on the Holy Spirit, which is highlighted by lively praise and worship, and focuses on the equipping of believers for the work of the ministry.

In addition, Life in the Spirit Seminars, week-end renewal events that teach about and testify to the person and work of the Holy Spirit are available for local congregations.

We have also encouraged the formation of Regional Affiliate Renewal Fellowships. These regional communities provide opportunities for fellowship, worship, learning and networking at the Annual Conference (regional) level.

We encourage dialogue within the UMC, attempting to interpret the movements of the Holy Spirit and the work of renewal across the church. We also try to help the church understand the richness of our Wesleyan heritage and history. In our opinion, John Wesley's theology of grace is in fact a theology of the Holy Spirit,

Since it's beginning, the UMRSF has worked with and within the UMC as a nonadversarial group that is more concerned about "lighting candles than cursing the darkness." UMRSF is an affiliate of the General Board of Discipleship through the Upper Room Program Section. The staff of the UMRSF meets regularly with the staff of the Upper Room Program Section for prayer and planning.