United Methodists
are...
...people whose
actions bring new meaning to their faith.
We
have a story to tell
United Methodists
have a story to share with the world. As the familiar song
"We've a Story to Tell to the Nations" says, our is "a story
of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light." It's the
gospel story.
United Methodists
share our faith each time we tell the story of how God entered
the world through Jesus of Nazareth. Like John Wesley, Methodism's
founder, we embrace Christ's mandate to "make disciples
of all nations." The story of the Holy Spirit's continuing
work is the United Methodist story.
We're
a covenant people
When you join a
United Methodist congregation, you become a member of the
total United Methodist connection. The Book of Discipline
states that, as a member, you promise God and the congregation
to uphold the church by your prayers, your presence, your
gifts and your service.
We're
a diverse community
United Methodism
was formed when the Methodist church and the Evangelical
United Brethren Church merged in 1968. United Methodists
trace their spiritual heritage back to 18th-century leaders
including John and Charles Wesley, Francis Asbury, Philip
Otterbein, Martin Boehm and Jacob Albright.
All Persons are
welcome in The United Methodist Church. We are firmly committed
to inclusiveness. We celebrate a diversity of people, ideas
and cultures and are enriched by our broad history.
We
are Biblical in faith
United Methodists
trust free inquiry in matters of Christian doctrine. Our
faith is guided by Scripture, tradition, experience and
reason. Of paramount importance is Scripture. For United
Methodists, the Bible is the record of God's people living
out God's promise.
We
are mission-oriented and socially conscious
Mission
is important to our faith. We are aware of world events
and work to help those in need. United Methodists are one
in faith and tradition with Methodist Christians around
the world. Through the World Methodist Council, Methodists
from 68 member churches cooperate in support of ecumenical,
educational, evangelical, and other ministries.
We
are Ecumenical
For generations,
United Methodists have cooperated with other churches to
spread the gospel, care for those in need, alleviate injustice
and foster peace. In national and interfaith groups, United
Methodists reach beyond our own churches and our own communities
to express concern and to share God's love with people of
many faiths.
We
are involved
For more than 200
years, the United Methodist Church has expressed concern
for the worker, the sick, the poor, the orphaned, the aging,
the impaired, the oppressed and the imprisoned. Our church
participates in the struggles of women, people with physical
and mental impairments, and racial and ethnic minority persons,
helping them attain equality in the church, the economy
and society. United Methodists positively influence society
through responsible social action.
For more information
about the United Methodist Church,
please visit http://www.umc.org.
