What We Believe

About the United Methodist Church

The United Methodist Church (UMC) is a rich tapestry of sisters and brothers who realize our part in the larger family of God. We are incredibly diverse, and there are lots of us: 8.5 million United Methodists live in the U.S., and 1.5 million more worldwide, with the largest present growth in membership occurring in Africa and the Philippines.

What United Methodists Believe

We celebrate a shared faith in Jesus Christ and His Gospel. United Methodist doctrine is solidly rooted in the Scriptures and the ancient faith of the people of God. Our theology can be defined even more specifically as orthodox Protestant Christianity, flavored with the unique distinctive we have inherited from our founder, John Wesley. Beyond this, the United Methodist Church encourages us to think for ourselves, so we don't necessarily share the same opinions about every faith issue or social concern.

As United Methodists, we celebrate our joyful obligation to bear faithful witness to Jesus Christ and the difference He makes in our lives. We recognize and worship Christ as the living reality at the center of the Church's life and mission. In order that we might faithfully carry out that mission, we strive for our thinking to grow ever deeper. That means ongoing thoughtful, prayerful reflection on our biblical and theological inheritance and striving to express faithfully the witness we make in our own time.