Beliefs

Our Beliefs

The United Methodist Church is an 12-million-strong global church that opens hearts, opens doors and opens minds through active engagement with our world.  John Wesley and the early Methodists placed primary emphasis on Christian living, on putting faith and love into action. This emphasis on what Wesley referred to as "practical divinity" has continued to be a hallmark of United Methodism today.

We invite you to learn more about our rich theological heritage.

Our Christian Roots

United Methodists share a common heritage with all Christians. Read more about our Christian roots.

Our Wesleyan Heritage

John Wesley and the early Methodists emphasized Christian living, putting faith and love into action. Read more about our Wesleyan Heritage.

Practicing our Faith

Faith is the basic orientation and commitment of our whole being—a matter of heart and soul. Read more about the essentials of practing your faith.

Foundational Documents

Several sources form the foundation of doctrine for United Methodists. Read more about our foundational documents.

Mission and Ministry

Why does the church exist? According to Matthew’s Gospel, the risen Christ made it clear: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you” (28:19-20). Based on this “Great Commission,” our United Methodist Church has stated its purpose: “The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." Read more about the Mission and Ministry of The United Methodist Church.

Church and Society

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, and to call each of us into a response. Read more about the Church and Society.

Discipleship

Theology is not just about God. It is also about us. We live out of our understanding of who we are in relationship to God, to one another, and to the world. Read more about Discipleship.

For more information about United Methodism, visit the global website of The United Methodist Church.