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Heritage and Vision
Four main guidelines for beliefThese guidelines help them understand their faith, and include:
Basic United Methodist beliefsPrimacy of Grace: Grace in God's loving action in human existence through the Holy Spirit. It is the spiritual climate and environment surrounding all human life. Human Dignity: God endows each person with dignity and moral responsibility. Humanity and its destiny are chief among God's purposes. The full splendor of true humanity is seen in Jesus Christ, as God's personal revelation. Conversion and New Birth: Change in the human heart can and does occur -- through grace and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Christian experience may be expressed in many different thought forms and life-styles. Faith and Good Works: They belong together. Personal salvation leads to involvement in Christian Mission in the world. Personal religion and Christian social action are mutually reinforcing. Prevenient Grace: This is the Grace -- the divine love -- that "runs ahead" of our conscious impulses and leads our hearts toward faith. Tolerance: While United Methodism retains much from its several heritages, it allows a variety of "special-interest" theologies. It acknowledges the virtues of different points of view even within the same community of believers. The SacramentsLike most other Protestants, United Methodists recognize only those sacraments in which Jesus Christ Himself participated -- Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism For United Methodists, baptism is the sacrament of initiation that joins us with the church and with Christians everywhere. It's a symbol of new life and a promise of God's saving love ... and a sign of God's forgiveness for our sins. Both infants and adults can be baptized. A person receives the sacrament only once in his or her life. Water is the special symbol of baptism. United Methodists baptize by sprinkling, immersion or pouring. United Methodists also celebrate other religious ceremonies. United Methodists embrace liturgical services, preaching, prayer, confirmation, marriage, funerals, family devotions. The Lord's Supper The Lord's Supper is a holy meal of bread and wine that symbolizes the body and blood of Christ. By sharing this meal, United Methodists give thanks for Jesus' sacrifice for our sins. The Lord's Supper recalls the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and celebrates the unity of all the members of God's family.
The Nurturing Community ... The role of the family is to nurture people in mutual love, respect and fidelity. The Economic Community ... United Methodists believe in the equitable sharing of the world's wealth. The World Community ... God's world is one world. United Methodists believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Jesus. The Natural World ... Human beings are stewards of the earth and must protect its natural resources. The Social Community ... United Methodists work toward a society where each person's value is recognized, maintained and strengthened. The Political Community ... The role of government is to protect freedom, and guarantee the rights of people to adequate food, clothing, education, etc. United Methodists and Social ConsciousnessFor United Methodists, Social Consciousness has always gone hand in hand with faith. Early Methodists opposed: slavery, liquor traffic, gambling, industrial exploitation and war. Today, United Methodists seek to follow:
Membership VowsOn behalf of the whole Church, I ask you: Do you reject the spiritual forces of wickedness, the evil powers of this world, and the bondage of sin? Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves? Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord, in union with the Church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races? According to the grace given to you, will you remain faithful members of Christ's holy Church and serve as Christ's representatives in the world? To be loyal to Christ through The United Methodist Church and do all in their power to strengthen its ministries; To faithfully participate in its ministries by their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service, and their witness.
Childhood John Wesley was born in 1703 in Epworth, England, to Samuel Wesley, an Anglican priest, and Susanna Wesley, a devout Christian. She had a strong influence on her son's life. Education At age 11, Wesley was sent to school in London, and at 17, he began study at Oxford. In 1726, he was elected a fellow at Lincoln College. Two years later, at the age of 25, he was ordained a priest of the Church of England. Origin of the "Methodists" While at Oxford, Wesley his brother Charles and other students formed a religious society. Dedicated to methodical religious life, they studied the Bible daily, fasted regularly and took Communion weekly. Other students teased them, calling them "Bible Moths" and "Methodists" -- a name that stuck! American Mission In 1735, John and Charles sailed to the American colony of Georgia as missionaries to the pioneers and Indians. The project was a failure and Wesley returned to England 2 years later, depressed and doubting his faith. Conversion Back in London, Wesley befriended members of a German Christian society, the Moravians. (On the voyage to America, he had been impressed by the faith of a group of Moravians.) On May 24, 1738 while attending a religious society meeting, Wesley had a deep religious experience. "I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me, that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death." A New Mission With renewed faith, John (with Charles and a friend George Whitefield) spread the Word of God's love and salvation throughout Britain. The neglected poor and lower classes were given their first hope of salvation and their first incentive to lead better lives through Christ. Services were held anywhere -- in fields, barns, abandoned buildings, even mining pits. The great number of converts were organized into religious "societies" (small local groups guided by Wesley's teachings). In the words of John Wesley (1703-1791) "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." Beginnings of a New Church in England
1740: Conflicts The Anglican Church refused to let the Wesley brothers preach in church and denied Methodist converts communion. Many Methodist preachers and followers were persecuted for their beliefs. 1741: Circuit System Wesley organized a network of traveling preachers who made the rounds to distant communities, telling the good news and bringing men and women to faith. 1742: Further Organization Religious societies were divided into classes under lay leaders. The following year, Wesley wrote the "General Rules of the United Societies." 1744: Conference The first conference between the Wesleys and their preachers was held to settle questions about doctrine and discipline. Conferences became annual events. Following years: Ordinations In 1784, Wesley began to ordain ministers for America -- an act which deepened the split between Methodists and the Anglican Church. Foundations of Methodists in America
1760s: First Lay Societies Organized Methodism in America began as a lay movement. In New York in 1766, a small society was started by Phillip Embury and Barbara Heck. In 1768 they built the John Street Church. Societies were also organized elsewhere:
1769: Missionaries Sent to America In 1769, Wesley sent his first preachers to America to take charge. Later, Francis Asbury, Richard Wright, George Shadford and Thomas Rankin were also assigned to the colonies. (Rankin was appointed superintendent over American Methodist activities.) The Revolutionary War Wesley supported England in the war, so in many colonies it was dangerous to be Methodist. The British preachers returned to England -- all but Asbury, who worked tirelessly and at great risk to keep the societies together. He rode thousands of miles to preach and organize throughout the colonies; by the war's end, membership had tripled to 15,000 due to Asbury's extraordinary efforts! Establishment of 3 New American Churches
Methodist Episcopal Church On Christmas Eve of 1784, 60 American preachers met in Baltimore, Maryland to form the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Church Leaders:
United Brethren in Christ Two great men founded this denomination:
The 2 men met in 1767 at a revival meeting in Lancaster, PA. After Boehm's sermon, Otterbein embraced Boehm, and said "We are brethren." In 1800, they formed the United Brethren, a German-speaking church that followed Methodist discipline. Evangelical Association Jacob Albright, founder, was originally a Lutheran farmer from Pennsylvania. When 3 of children died, leaving him spiritually shaken, he found strength and renewed faith in attending Methodist meetings. He became a Methodist preacher, whose fervor won him many followers among German settlers in Pennsylvania, Maryland and the Shenandoah Valley. In 1803, his followers founded the Newly Formed Methodist Conference.
1828 - 1830: Methodist Protestant Church This denomination was formed by Methodists who wanted lay people to share power with clergy in governing the church. 1843: Wesleyan Methodist Church Growing hostilities between southerners and radical abolitionist members of the Methodist Episcopal Church over the issue of slavery interfered with conference work. When moderate members prohibited discussion of slavery, the radicals withdrew and formed the Wesleyan Methodist Connection. 1845: Methodist Episcopal Church, South Once again, the slavery issue led to a division in the church.
These were formed as a result of discrimination that prevented early Black Methodists from serving the gospel as they wishes. These churches include: 1816: African Methodist Episcopal Church This church was founded in Philadelphia by Richard Allen and Daniel Coker. 1822: African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church This church was created in New York largely by black members of the John Street Church. 1870: Colored Methodist Episcopal Church Members of this church came primarily from the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In 1954, the church name was changed to Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. 1900s -- Unification
Involvement in Social Consciousness
Education Beginning in the 18th century, Methodists founded many colleges, including McKendree, Wesleyan, Syracuse, Duke, Boston University, Northwestern, Southern Methodist University and many more. Women's Rights In the 1800s, there were many famous women preachers in Methodist churches. For example: Maggie VanCott, Amanda Smith (former slave) and Lydia Sexton. The United Brethren Church began ordaining women in 1889. Methodist women were given full rights as laity (1900); limited rights as clergy (1924) the right to be conference members (1956). Publishing Through the 19th and 20th centuries, Methodists have been active in publishing hymnals and magazines such as "Christian Advocate" and "Methodist Magazine." The "Ladies' Repository and Gatherings of the West" was one of the first women's magazines. The Structure of the United Methodist ChurchDistinguishing Methodism from other denominations is the structure of the United Methodist Church. It is organized for ministry at several levels; levels maintain "connectional" links with one another. Both clergy and laity are elected to serve on the governing bodies of the church. It's similar to American democratic government with an executive, legislative and judicial branch. The Local Church United Methodists think of the local church as the visible extension of Christ in the world today. Ordained and lay ministers lead the local congregation, although every United Methodist is called to minister to others. The local church's Council on Ministries recommends church programs to the Administrative Board and sets up committees to direct them. Areas of work include: Christian Unity, Education, Evangelism, Church and Society, Stewardship, Worship, Higher Education, Missions, Religion and Race. Episcopacy (similar to the U.S. Executive branch) Methodist Bishops are elected for life from the ranks of the ministry. They function as both spiritual and administrative leaders for their area, and participate in governing the whole church organization. Conferences (similar to the U.S. Legislative branch) Conferences are made up of both clergy and laity. The General Conference is the primary law-making body. There are five Jurisdictional Conferences which elect bishops and direct church programs. The Annual Conference is technically the basic unit of the church. The District Conference is organized in the Annual Conference. The Charge Conference is the governing body of a local pastoral unit. Judicial Council (similar to the U.S. Judicial branch) The nine-member lay and clerical Judicial Council is the court of ultimate appeal in the church. The authority and basis of all decisions is The Book of Discipline. Boards and Agencies These governing bodies are set up by the General Conference, and are coordinated by a General Council on Ministries. They include:
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