Rikssvenska metodistpredikanters betydelse för ... - Doria

would become an “independent mission” within the Methodist Episcopal
Church, a decision supported by the American General Conference. The
Swedish preachers working in Finland did not approve of this decision and
contemplated leaving the country; it was only after intervention from the
American Bishop that the Swedes decided to remain in Finland and continue
their work.
The conflicts and tensions in the Finnish Methodist Church at the turn of the
19 th century demonstrate how difficult it was to turn the growing church into
a “Finnish” church, complete with Finnish leaders. The Swedish preachers
had resolutely worked towards educating Finnish preachers to work for the
Methodist church in Finland and their endeavors yielded Finnish-speaking
preachers who could be sent to Finnish-speaking areas. As a result of this,
several new purely Finnish-speaking congregations were founded from 1900-
1910. At the same time, however, this evolution led to a decrease in the
influence of the Swedish preachers.
334