(updated 2/5/06 )

Methodist 101

Methodist Beliefs

What is a United Methodist?

"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 Welsey (1703-1791)

Methodism, like all Christian denominations, traces its roots to Jesus Christ, the first apostles, the first century church and Paul.

What is the meaning of the Cross and Flame?

United Methodist believe:

the Word of God as contained in the Old and New Testaments,
conviction that God has mercy and love for all people,
belief in a triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
celebration of the sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion,
primacy of grace - God's loving action to catch our attention and lead our hearts toward faith and servant hood,
conversion and new birth - a change in the heart can and does occur and may be expressed in many different forms,
faith and Good works - personal salvation must lead to involvement in Christian Mission . Faith without works is dead and works without faith is hollow.
tolerance - acknowledging the virtues of different points of view. Unity is not conformity; rather unity is having the same purpose in Jesus Christ.
stewardship - spiritual growth requires financial giving as well as recognizing that we are stewards of our natural world,
nurturing community - role of the church family is to nurture people in mutual love, respect and fidelity,
the world community - God's world is one world
membership involves four vows of spiritual growth - to grow in prayer, worship, service and giving.