"United Methodists Are . . ."
A covenant people
When you join a United Methodist congregation, you become a
member of the total United Methodist connection. Members promise God and the
congregation to uphold the church with their prayers, presence, gifts and
service.
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, Jacob Albright, Philip Otterbein, Martin Boehm and Francis
Asbury.
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.
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.
Mission-oriented, socially conscious
United Methodists are mission-oriented and socially
conscious. This is important in our faith. We are ware 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,
educational, 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 to 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 church-wide levels.
The highest legislative body
– the only organization that can speak for the whole church – is the General
Conference. An assembly of up to 1,000 delegates, 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
the 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.