Reinstatement In Church Sought

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32352, 18 July 1970, Page 14

Reinstatement In Church Sought

The Rev. D. W. Edmonds, a Christchurch Methodist minister who resigned from the church three years ago because of theological differences, has applied for reinstatement His application will be considered at the annual conference of the Methodist Church to be held in Christchurch in November. Mr Edmonds, who returned to Christchurch recently after a tour of the United States and Canada, said he

had been impressed by the spiritual renewal in many churches in these countries. If nothing else, the trip had confirmed the need for him to seek reinstatement and reconciliation. This did not mean, however, that he was prepared to make a compromise and to lessen his beliefs. He still felt the action he took three years ago was right. If his application for reinstatement were rejected by the Methodist conference this year, he would not be disappointed. He would apply for reinstatement again to be considered at the 1971 conference, he said. “If I am never reinstated 1[ will still continue to work for! the Christian church.”

After he resigned from the Methodist Church Mr Edmonds described himself as an independent Methodist evangelist, and began holding services and meetings at his home in New Brighton. He later moved to premises! in Gloucester Street, and for the last year he has carried on his work as preacher and counsellor from a house in Eversleigh Street, St Albans. He said he had no idea what would happen to this work if he was reinstated and allowed to take up duties within the 'Methodist Church, but it could (continue as there were qualified lay preachers.