The United Methodist Story
The heart of our ministry, symbolized by the cross and the flame, is to make disciples of Jesus Christ through continuing to live out Christ's ministry of outreaching love with the guidance and grace of the Spirit of God.
The Methodist movement that was to sweep across the world began in England in 1729. Students at Oxford University, under the leadership of John and Charles Wesley,
first gathered in a "holy club" to pray, study the Bible, and seek the strength of communion. They then departed out into the world to serve the spiritual and physical needs of those around them - especially the poor and the children.
On April 23, 1968, The United Methodist Church was created when Bishop Reuben H. Mueller, representing The Evangelical United Brethren Church, and Bishop Lloyd C. Wicke of The Methodist Church joined hands at the constituting General Conference in Dallas, Texas. With the words, "Lord of the Church, we are united in Thee, in Thy Church and now in The United Methodist Church," the new denomination was given birth by two churches that had distinguished histories and influential ministries in various parts of the world.
Today, the United Methodist Church, with 8 million members worldwide, is a party of the ongoing Wesleyan movement that now claims a total of 18 million members in various churches around the world.
Our beliefs are grounded in:
Scripture, as the primary source for Christian doctrine.
Tradition, which challenges us to learn from all that is past, in the understanding that God does not start anew with each generation, or each person, or each culture.
Reason, through which we use our minds to read and interpret Scripture, as questions of faith, and understand God's action and will in the world.
Experience, offering us the opportunity to examine, through both personal and church wide witnesses, the realities of God's grace, which are attested to in Scripture.
Along with Christians of other communities, we believe in a triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, acting in the world as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. We believe that God's grace is unearned and undeserved, yet offered to us each day for the fulfillment of our lives as God's children, even before we know it. Through baptism, God's offer of Grace to each life is recognized. Holy communion is open to all persons of any Christian affiliation. We continue to receive the grace that enables us to live as Christ's body in the world.