This section includes information on United Methodist Doctrine, Policy and Missions
The World Methodist Social Affirmation
(as found in the United Methodist Hymnal… #886)
We believe in God, creator of the world and of all people; and in Jesus Christ, incarnate among us, who died and rose again; and in the Holy Sprit, present with us to guide, strengthen, and comfort.
We believe;God help our unbelief.
We rejoice in every sign of God’s kingdom: in the upholding of human dignity and community; in every expression of love, justice, and reconciliation; in each act of self-giving on behalf of others; in the abundance of God’s gifts entrusted to us that all may have enough; in all responsible use of the earth’s resources.
Glory be to God on high; and on earth, peace.
We confess our sin, individual and collective, by silence or action: through violation of human dignity based on race, class, age, sex, nation, or faith; through the exploitation of people because of greed and indifference; through the misuse of power in personal, communal, national, and international life; through the search for security by those military and economic forces that threaten human existence; through the abuse of technology which endangers the earth and all life upon it.
Lord, have mercy; Christ have mercy; Lord, have mercy.
We commit ourselves individually and as a community to the way of Christ: to take up the cross; to seek abundant life for all humanity; to struggle for peace with justice and freedom; to risk ourselves in faith, hope, and love, praying that God’s kingdom may come.
Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Exerts from the United Methodist Social Principles:
“All creations is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it. Water, air, soil, minerals, energy resources, plants, animal life, and space are to be valued and conserved because they are God’s creation and not solely because they are useful to human beings”.
“The community provides the potential for nurturing human beings into the fullness of their humanity. We believe we have a responsibility to innovate, sponsor, and evaluate new forms of community that will encourage development of the fullest potential of human beings”.
“We support the basic rights of all persons to equal access to housing, education, communication, employment, medical care, legal redress for grievances, and physical protection. We deplore acts of hate or violence against groups or persons besed on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or economic status”.
“We claim all economic systems to be under the judgment of God no less than other facets of the created order…”.
“While our allegiance to God takes precedence over our allegiance to any state, we acknowledge the vital function of government as a principal vehicle for the ordering of society”.
“God’s world is one world. The unity now being thrust upon us by technological revolution has far outrun our moral and spiritual capactiy to achieve a stable world… We commit ourselves as a Church to the achievement of a world community tht is a fellowship of persons who honestly love one another”.