WHO ARE UNITED METHODISTS?
At a very basic level, United Methodists are...
Grace-full
we are fully dependent upon God's redeeming and transforming grace.
Connectional
every United Methodist congregation is connected to every other one.
Missional
we have to serve others in Jesus’ name and proclaim the gospel through word and deed.
Practical
our faith needs to make a difference in the way we live each day
we are fully dependent upon God's redeeming and transforming grace.
Connectional
every United Methodist congregation is connected to every other one.
Missional
we have to serve others in Jesus’ name and proclaim the gospel through word and deed.
Practical
our faith needs to make a difference in the way we live each day
Our Beliefs
United Methodists share a common heritage with all Christians. According to our foundational statement of beliefs in The Book of Discipline, we share the following basic affirmations in common with all Christian communities:
TRINITY
We describe God in three persons. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are commonly used to refer to the threefold nature of God. Sometimes we use other terms, such as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.
We describe God in three persons. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are commonly used to refer to the threefold nature of God. Sometimes we use other terms, such as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.
GOD
We believe in one God,
who created the world and all that is in it.
We believe that God is sovereign;
that is, God is the ruler of the universe.
We believe that God is loving.
We can experience God’s love and grace.
We believe in one God,
who created the world and all that is in it.
We believe that God is sovereign;
that is, God is the ruler of the universe.
We believe that God is loving.
We can experience God’s love and grace.
JESUS
We believe that Jesus was human.
He lived as a man and died when he was crucified.
We believe that Jesus is divine.
He is the Son of God.
We believe that God raised Jesus from the dead and that the risen Christ lives today. (Christ and Messiah mean the same thing—God’s anointed.)
We believe that Jesus is our Savior. In Christ we receive abundant life and forgiveness of sins.
We believe that Jesus is our Lord and that we are called to pattern our lives after his.
We believe that Jesus was human.
He lived as a man and died when he was crucified.
We believe that Jesus is divine.
He is the Son of God.
We believe that God raised Jesus from the dead and that the risen Christ lives today. (Christ and Messiah mean the same thing—God’s anointed.)
We believe that Jesus is our Savior. In Christ we receive abundant life and forgiveness of sins.
We believe that Jesus is our Lord and that we are called to pattern our lives after his.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is God with us.
We believe that the Holy Spirit comforts us when we are in need and convicts us
when we stray from God.
We believe that the Holy Spirit awakens us to God’s will and empowers us to live obediently.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is God with us.
We believe that the Holy Spirit comforts us when we are in need and convicts us
when we stray from God.
We believe that the Holy Spirit awakens us to God’s will and empowers us to live obediently.
HUMAN BEINGS
We believe that God created
human beings in God’s image.
We believe that humans can choose to accept
or reject a relationship with God.
We believe that all humans need to be in relationship with God in order to be fully human.
We believe that all humans have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and
stand in need of redemption.
We believe that God created
human beings in God’s image.
We believe that humans can choose to accept
or reject a relationship with God.
We believe that all humans need to be in relationship with God in order to be fully human.
We believe that all humans have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and
stand in need of redemption.
SALVATION
We hold in common with all Christians a faith in the mystery of salvation in and through Jesus Christ. At the heart of the gospel of salvation is God's incarnation in Jesus of Nazareth. Scripture witnesses to the redeeming love of God in Jesus' life and teachings, his atoning death, his resurrection, his sovereign presence in history, his triumph over the powers of evil and death, and his promised return. Because God truly loves us in spite of our willful sin, God judges us, summons us to repentance, pardons us, receives us by that grace given to us in Jesus Christ, and gives us hope of life eternal.
We hold in common with all Christians a faith in the mystery of salvation in and through Jesus Christ. At the heart of the gospel of salvation is God's incarnation in Jesus of Nazareth. Scripture witnesses to the redeeming love of God in Jesus' life and teachings, his atoning death, his resurrection, his sovereign presence in history, his triumph over the powers of evil and death, and his promised return. Because God truly loves us in spite of our willful sin, God judges us, summons us to repentance, pardons us, receives us by that grace given to us in Jesus Christ, and gives us hope of life eternal.
THE CHURCH
We believe that the church is the body of Christ,
an extension of Christ’s life and ministry
in the world today.
We believe that the mission of the church is
to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
We believe that the church is “the communion of saints,†a community made up of all
past, present, and future disciples of Christ.
We believe that the church is called to worship God and to support those who participate
in its life as they grow in faith.
We believe that the church is the body of Christ,
an extension of Christ’s life and ministry
in the world today.
We believe that the mission of the church is
to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
We believe that the church is “the communion of saints,†a community made up of all
past, present, and future disciples of Christ.
We believe that the church is called to worship God and to support those who participate
in its life as they grow in faith.
THE BIBLE
We believe that the Bible is God’s Word.
We believe that the Bible is the primary authority for our faith and practice.
We believe that Christians need to know and study the Old Testament
and the New Testament (the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Scriptures).
We believe that the Bible is God’s Word.
We believe that the Bible is the primary authority for our faith and practice.
We believe that Christians need to know and study the Old Testament
and the New Testament (the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Scriptures).
THE REIGN OF GOD
We believe that the Kingdom or Reign of God is both
a present reality and future hope.
We believe that wherever God's will is done, the Kingdom or Reign of God is present. It was present in Jesus' ministry, and it is also present
in our world whenever persons and communities experience
reconciliation, restoration, and healing.
We believe that although the fulfillment of God's kingdom--
the complete restoration of creation--is still to come.
We believe that the church is called to be both witness
to the vision of what God's kingdom will be like
and a participant in helping to bring it to completion.
We believe that the Reign of God is both personal and social. Personally, we display the kingdom of God as our hearts and minds are transformed and we become more Christ-like. Socially, God's vision for the kingdom includes the restoration and transformation of all of creation.
We believe that the Kingdom or Reign of God is both
a present reality and future hope.
We believe that wherever God's will is done, the Kingdom or Reign of God is present. It was present in Jesus' ministry, and it is also present
in our world whenever persons and communities experience
reconciliation, restoration, and healing.
We believe that although the fulfillment of God's kingdom--
the complete restoration of creation--is still to come.
We believe that the church is called to be both witness
to the vision of what God's kingdom will be like
and a participant in helping to bring it to completion.
We believe that the Reign of God is both personal and social. Personally, we display the kingdom of God as our hearts and minds are transformed and we become more Christ-like. Socially, God's vision for the kingdom includes the restoration and transformation of all of creation.
SACRAMENTS
With many other Protestants, we recognize the two sacraments in which Christ himself participated: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
With many other Protestants, we recognize the two sacraments in which Christ himself participated: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
BAPTISM
Through baptism we are joined with the church
and with Christians everywhere.
Baptism is a symbol of new life and a sign of God's love
and forgiveness of our sins.
Persons of any age can be baptized.
We baptize by sprinkling, immersion or pouring.
A person receives the sacrament of baptism only once in his or her life.
Through baptism we are joined with the church
and with Christians everywhere.
Baptism is a symbol of new life and a sign of God's love
and forgiveness of our sins.
Persons of any age can be baptized.
We baptize by sprinkling, immersion or pouring.
A person receives the sacrament of baptism only once in his or her life.
THE LORD'S SUPPER (COMMUNION, EUCHARIST)
The Lord's Supper is a holy meal of bread and wine
that symbolizes the body and blood of Christ.
The Lord's Supper recalls the life, death and resurrection of Jesus
and celebrates the unity of all the members of God's family.
By sharing this meal, we give thanks for Christ's sacrifice and are nourished and empowered to go into the world in mission and ministry.
We practice "open Communion," welcoming all who love Christ,
repent of their sin, and seek to live in peace with one another.
The Lord's Supper is a holy meal of bread and wine
that symbolizes the body and blood of Christ.
The Lord's Supper recalls the life, death and resurrection of Jesus
and celebrates the unity of all the members of God's family.
By sharing this meal, we give thanks for Christ's sacrifice and are nourished and empowered to go into the world in mission and ministry.
We practice "open Communion," welcoming all who love Christ,
repent of their sin, and seek to live in peace with one another.