United Methodist Beliefs, Practices and Traditions

John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, along with other founding members were particularly attentive to inviting people to experience God’s grace and develop their spiritual self through disciplined Christian living. They placed particular emphasis on Christian principles of placing faith and love into action. This emphasis on what Wesley referred to as "practical divinity" has continued to be a cornerstone of United Methodism today. Please use this page and website as a resource to learn more about the United Methodist faith.

No matter how or where they serve Jesus Christ, United Methodists do God’s work in a unique structure—referred to as “The Connection." This concept has been central to Methodism from its beginning. Connectionalism comes to life through our clergy appointment system, our mission and outreach, and through our collective giving. We live out our call to mission and ministry by engaging in ministry with the poor, combating diseases of poverty by improving health globally, creating new places for new people and renewing existing congregations, and developing principled Christian leaders. No one congregation can do all these ministries, but together, through the power of our connection, we can make a tremendous difference.

The United Methodist Church is a global movement of churches comprised of people that share a faith in Jesus Christ and that are dedicated to serving others to make a positive difference throughout the world.

Just as creeds such as the Apostles' Creed summarize the belief of all Christians, the Articles of Religion of The Methodist Church and the Confessions of Faith of The Evangelical United Brethren Church form a foundation of doctrine for all United Methodists.

These creeds, along with Wesley's Sermons on Several Occasions and Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament, are "standards" for all United Methodists. In practice we believe in affirming our faith through the sacred Christian practices of baptism and communion.

To learn more about the United Methodist faith please Contact Our Pastor.