The United Methodist Faith

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

          he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. 

We believe that every person must reject the evil powers of this world, repent of their sin and accept the power God gives us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.  That everyone must confess Jesus Christ as their Savior, trusting only in His grace, and commit themselves to serve him as their Lord to truly be a Christian.  Only Christians can join a United Methodist congregation.

A covenant people

When you join a United Methodist congregation, you become a member of the total United Methodist connection.  You promise God and the congregation to uphold the church by your prayers, your presence, your gifts and your service.

A diverse community

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.  We believe persons of all ages, nations, and races have been called by Jesus Christ to accept and serve Him as Savior and Lord.  Therefore we welcome everyone to 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.

Biblical in faith

United Methodists trust free inquiry in matters of Christian doctrine.  Our faith is grounded in Scripture, and guided by tradition, experience and reason.  For United Methodists, the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit, and is therefore the authoritative record of God's people living out God's promise.

Mission-oriented, socially conscious

United Methodists are mission-oriented and socially conscious. This is important to our faith. We are aware of world events and strive 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, education, evangelical and other ministries.

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.

Involved

For more than 200 years, The United Methodist Church and its predecessor bodies have 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.

Connectional

United Methodism took form as an organized church in this country during the revolutionary period of our history.  Its structures parallel those of the United States government.  Church leadership is shared by executive, legislative and judicial branches.  Representative bodies carry out church functions at local, regional and churchwide levels.  The highest legislative body - the only organization that can speak for the church - is the General Conference.  An assembly of up to 1,000 delegate, it is composed of equal numbers of laity and clergy and meets once every four years.  Delegates are chosen by regional units (annual conferences) throughout the United States and in 15 other nations.  Non-voting representatives come from affiliated churches in 25 other countries.  Annual conferences respond to needs in their regions by developing programs and ministries that carry out the work of Christ and support the policies set by General Conference.

Evangelical

The United Methodist Church continues its strong evangelical heritage. Within each congregation is a vital center of biblical study and evangelism - a blending of personal piety and discipleship.