“Faith is not about holding a certain set of beliefs—it’s about trusting in God’s constant goodwill.” – Rev. Dr. Robert Long
As Dr. Long’s quote implies, people in the church don’t always agree about everything, nor do they have to. But there are core principles we hold in common when we tell the world that we are Christians:
God: There is one God, but he is revealed in three distinct persons: Read More
God the Father: We believe in one creator God who is traditionally referred to as “The Father,” though this is not about gender, but rather the role God plays in our lives.
Jesus: We believe in salvation through Jesus Christ, sometimes referred to as “The Son.” God became human in Jesus of Nazareth; and his life, death and resurrection demonstrate God’s redeeming love. Through Jesus, God experienced our suffering, and we experienced God’s presence on Earth. Read More
The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is God’s present activity in our midst. When we sense God’s guidance, God’s challenge, or God’s support or comfort, it’s the Holy Spirit at work. Read More
Human Beings: Genesis 1:27 asserts that we’ve been made in the image of the Creator. Like God we have the capacity to love and care, to communicate, and to create. Read More
The Church: The church is the body of Christ, an extension of Christ’s life and ministry in the world today. In practical terms, that means the church is there to share God’s love and the gospel (a.k.a. the “good news”) with all people. Read More
The Bible: We believe that the Bible is the primary authority to guide and define our faith and practice. We don’t worship the Bible, but the Bible teaches us how to worship. Read More
God’s Reign: The kingdom or reign of God is both a present reality and future hope. Read More
Our Social Principles
The United Methodist Church believes God’s love for the world is an active and engaged love, a love seeking justice and liberty. We cannot just be observers. So we care enough about people’s lives to risk interpreting God’s love, to take a stand, to call each of us into a response, no matter how controversial or complex. The church helps us think and act out a faith perspective, not just responding to all the other ‘mind-makers-up’ that exist in our society.”
Excerpt from The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church 2016. Copyright © 2016 by The United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission.
Preface: Social Principles
The Social Principles are a prayerful and thoughtful effort of the General Conference to speak to the issues in the contemporary world from a sound biblical and theological foundation. Read More
Preamble
We affirm our unity in Jesus Christ while acknowledging differences in applying our faith in different cultural contexts as we live out the gospel. Read More
The Natural World
All creation is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it. Read More
The Nurturing Community
We believe we have a responsibility to innovate, sponsor, and evaluate new forms of community that will encourage development of the fullest potential in individuals. Read More
The Social Community
We affirm all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God’s sight. We reject discrimination and assert the rights of minority groups to equal opportunities. Read More
The Economic Community
We claim all economic systems to be under the judgment of God no less than other facets of the created order. Read More
The Political Community
We hold governments responsible for the protection of people’s basic freedoms. We believe that neither church nor state should attempt to dominate the other. Read More
The World Community
God’s world is one world. We pledge ourselves to seek the meaning of the gospel in all issues that divide people and threaten the growth of world community. Read More
Our Social Creed
Our Social Creed is a statement of faith reflecting our Social Principles. Read More