| 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.
Theological
traditions steeped in the Protestant Reformation and
Wesleyanism, similar ecclesiastical structures, and
relationships that dated back almost two hundred years
facilitated the union. In the Evangelical United
Brethren heritage, for example, Philip William
Otterbein, the principal founder of the United Brethren
in Christ, assisted in the ordination of Francis Asbury
to the superintendency of American Methodist work. Jacob
Albright, through whose religious experience and
leadership the Evangelical Association was begun, was
nurtured in a Methodist class meeting following his
conversion. Kindly go into
The United Methodist Church’s main
web site to read
further into:
- Roots, 1736-1816
- The Churches Grow,
1817-1843
- The Slavery Question and
Civil War, 1844-1865
- Reconstruction,
Prosperity, and New Issues, 1866-1913
- World War and More Change,
1914-1939
- Movement Toward Union,
1940-1967
- Developments and Changes
Since 1968
OUR BELIEFS With
Christians of other communions we confess belief in the
triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This confession
embraces the biblical witness to God’s activity in
creation, encompasses God’s gracious self-involvement in
the dramas of history, and anticipates the consummation
of God’s reign.
The created order
is designed for the well-being of all creatures and as
the place of human dwelling in covenant with God. As
sinful creatures, however, we have broken that covenant,
become estranged from God, wounded ourselves and one
another, and wreaked havoc throughout the natural order.
We stand in need of redemption.
" ...
Because God truly loves us in spite of our willful sin,
God judges us, summons us to repentance, pardons us,
receives us by that grace given to us in Jesus Christ,
and gives us hope of life eternal." Again,
The United Methodist Church’s main
web site has detailed
write-ups on the following:
- Scripture
- Tradition
- Experience
- Reason
- A Triune God
- Prevenient Grace
- Justification and
Assurance
- Sanctification and
Perfection
- Faith and Good Works
- Nurture and Mission of the
Church
- Mission and Service
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