Methodist Beliefs

The heart of our Christian faith is Christ's ministry of outreaching love. We are all called to minister wherever Christ would have us work to heal and free others. United Methodists believe in God's grace, which means the unearned and loving action of God in our daily lives. In spite of suffering, violence, and evil in the world, we assert that God's grace exists everywhere. Despite any circumstance, we remain creatures brought to life by a just and loving God. The reign of God is both a present and a future reality.

Sometimes people call The United Methodist Church "the church of the warm heart" because we have a history of caring about and working to create justice for all people. It all started with founder John Wesley, who felt his own heart strangely warmed nearly three centuries ago. After this experience he was compelled to reach out to England's poorest citizens, which he did with the help of his brother Charles. Their work launched a movement that spread to the American colonies and took hold with a fervor that still exists almost 300 years later.

During that time, our hearts have led us to build almost as many schools as churches. Methodists were among the first to create institutions of learning for settlers, women, and newly freed slaves. There are now 120 United Methodist institutions, including schools outside the U.S., most notably Africa University in Zimbabwe.

Today United Methodists comprise the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States. Our churches are connected by a system that guides our work and governs our policies. We continue to take the lead in social, spiritual, political, and moral concerns. In the tradition of John and Charles Wesley, our members study Scripture, encourage thoughtful debate, and confront the tough issues of the day. We still lead with our hearts, keep our minds open, and welcome everyone through our doors.

The director of an orphanage watched one of his children climb a tall tree. The little girl worked her way out on a limb to place a note on the end of a branch that extended just outside the walls of the orphanage. She obviously wanted someone to find the note. The director became curious and went outside to pull the note down. In her lovely, childlike handwriting, the girl had written, "To whoever finds this, I love you. Pass it on."

This story illustrates the aspirations of United Methodists worldwide: saying to people inside and outside our congregations that they are accepted and loved, and inviting them to help be the instruments of God's love to other people too.

According to John Wesley:

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.

Methodists have the:

Goal of improving ourselves as Christians
Example of sharing God through missions
Concern with social problems
Emphasis on ecumenism
Belief in the grace and forgiveness of God's love

The distinguishing marks of a Methodist are probably best illustrated by a commitment to the basics of Christianity and by a Christian life-style -- rather than by assenting to a particular scheme of beliefs.

In general, Methodists agree on major aspects of theology. Sources for our faith include:

The Bible
John Wesley's writings
Methodist theologians' writings
Church literature
The United Methodist "Book of Discipline"

United Methodists share a common heritage with other Christians:

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 (Baptism, The Lord's Supper)

United Methodists also have a distinct emphasis and believe there are four main sources for Christian theology:

Scripture
Tradition
Experience
Reason

Information is from the following resources:

The History of The United Methodist Church South Deerfield, MA: Channing L. Bete Co., Inc., 1982 (1997 Edition)

About Being United Methodist Greenfield, MA: Channing L. Bete Co., Inc., 1975 (1977 Edition)

About John Wesley Greenfield, MA: Channing L. Bete Co., Inc., 1977 (1978 Edition)

The People of the United Methodist Church The United Methodist Publishing House, 2001.