Who We Are As United Methodists
In the words of John Wesley (1703-1791), "A Methodist is... one who loves the Lord his God with all his heart, with all his soul, with all his mind, and with all his strength."
John Wesley was an ordained Angelican priest. At a prayer meeting in London on May 24, 1738, he had a powerful spiritual experience that inspired him to become the first teacher of "Methodism."
"I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death."
Today, John Wesley's life and teaching still carry a special meaning to United Methodists:
- the goal of being faithful disciples of Jesus Christ
- the example of sharing God through missions
- concern with social problems
- openness to ecumenism.
What is the United Methodist Church?
The United Methodist Church is grounded in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Earlier Christians - Methodism traces its history from the early Christian church, through Roman Catholicism and the Protestant Reformation.
John Wesley - After his experience in 1738, Wesley set out with his brother Charles to form societies of "Methodists," so called because the members followed a daily routine of religious observance and social work. Wesley never intended to break from the Church of England, and died an Anglican priest.
American Methodism - In colonial America, traveling lay preachers spread the gospel and Wesley's teachings to the settlers. After the Revolution, a separate church was formed, the Methodist Episcopal Church. Other Wesleyan denominations also formed. In 1968, the Evangelical United Brethren Church and Methodist Church joined to form the United Methodist Church—this country's second largest Protestant denomination.
What do United Methodists Believe?
That's not an easy question, since United Methodists don't agree on all aspects of doctrine. But in general they share a Christian commitment. The distinguishing marks of a United Methodist are probably best illustrated by a commitment to the basics of Christianity and by a Christian lifestyle—rather than by assenting to a particular scheme of beliefs.
They have several sources for their faith. These include the Bible, John Wesley's writings, the Articles of Religion, the Confession of Faith, the United Methodist "Book of Discipline," theologians and educators.
They are common heritage with other Christians. Christians share conviction that God has mercy and love for all people; belief in a triune God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit; faith in the mystery of salvation through Jesus Christ; celebration of the sacraments. In these and many other ways, Methodism affirms the unity of all Christians in the Body of Christ.
United Methodists also have 4 main guidelines for belief. These guidelines help them understand their faith: scripture, tradition, experience, reason. They are interdependent and allow for variety in theology.
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