What United Methodists Believe

United Methodists uphold the historic Christian faith as outlined in the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed.  

  • We believe in the Triune God, the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

  • We believe every individual is a cherished child of God.

  • We believe in the church as the community called to be vessels of God’s presence and the coming reign in Jesus Christ.

  • We believe the Bible discloses the Word of God.

  • We believe in the final victory of God’s reign of empathy, justice, hospitality, and peace.

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Our Wesleyan Heritage

The United Methodist Church (UMC) was formed in 1968 as a result of a merger between the Evangelical United Brethren Church and The Methodist Church.  But, we trace our heritage back to the movement derived in 18th-century England by John Wesley.

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John Wesley and the early Methodists were very methodical in their approach to guiding Christians in becoming and living as disciples of Christ; thus, the nickname "Methodists" originated.  Their methodical technique concentrated on small groups of communal support and accountability, devised to promote spiritual growth and transformation of life.

Our heritage is grounded on the centrality of grace.  Grace is the unmerited favor and love of God which we all experience whether we realize it or not. In other words, this is the love that God has for all of us, although we do not deserve it, nor can we earn it. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — not the result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NRSV).

Consequently, John Wesley believed God’s grace affects us in primarily three aspects:

  • Prevenient grace

  • Justifying grace

  • Sanctifying grace

Furthermore, the Wesleyan movement was marked by various significant theological principles:

  • God’s grace and human activity work collectively in the relationship of faith and good works.  This is achieved through works of piety (collaborating with the Holy Spirit to grow in personal relationship with God) and works of mercy (collaborating with the Holy Spirit to serve others).

  • Personal salvation always comprises of Christian mission and service to the world. Biblical holiness requires more than personal piety.  Love of God is always connected with love of neighbor, a desire for justice, and revitalization in the life of the world.

  • The nurturing and serving capacity of Christian fellowship in the church is accentuated. As the church community nourishes the personal experience of faith; we are as well nurtured and prepared for service to the world.

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source: www.umc.org/what-we-believe