FAQs - United Methodists are...
Journeying Together...  Encountering Christ...   Growing in Faith...
Journeying Together... Encountering Christ... Growing in Faith

The United Methodist Church is...

...an 11-million-strong global church that opens hearts, opens doors and opens minds through active engagement with our world.  Our founder, 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.  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.” 


We reach out to people and welcome them into the church..

We have a direct responsibility for people of the “world” around our church, the community in which we and others study, work, shop, play, and so forth. In this world are people with many hurts, doubts, and questions. There are some who are new in the community and feel a little lost, some who are proudly self-sufficient, and others who are in desperate circumstances. Our mission is to reach out to them, listen to them, accept them, share the good news of Christ through our words and actions, invite them into the family of faith, and joyfully receive all who will respond.


We help people deepen their relationship with God...

United Methodists offer people opportunities for growing closer to God. Wherever you are on your journey of faith  just beginning the journey of faith or well along the road—we are all in need of God’s love in Christ. Through worship, prayer, study, and honest sharing, we help one another discover that the Holy Spirit is not far off but present with us, wanting an open and loving friendship with each of us—not only friendship but commitment as well.


We nurture people in Christian living...

Our mission is to nurture people of all ages in the Christian faith and to help them live it out in their lives. The church exists not to serve itself but to serve the world. We come to church not only for our own personal enrichment but also to prepare ourselves to do the work of love and to get ready to be Christ’s disciples in the community. Through worship, baptism, Communion, Bible study, prayer, and other means of grace, we’re strengthened for ministry.


We support people in their ministry...

We believe that we’re sent into the community to serve those in-need and to make our community more loving and just. We believe that the Holy Spirit empowers and guides us in these ministries and that wherever there’s need and suffering, we meet Christ, already at work. But still, we cannot be effective in ministry on our own. So the congregation exists, in part, to surround and support each member in his or her ministry. We do not always succeed in our efforts to be faithful disciples in the world, but with the loving support of the community of faith, we can continue to grow.
Adapted from The United Methodist Member’s Handbook by George Koehler (Discipleship Resources, Rev. 2006), p. 10-11. Used by permission.




Methodists in Mission..

The United Methodist faith is deeply rooted in the Scripture and in the basic beliefs of all Christians. Out of that base have grown some specific actions that mark United Methodists as Christians engaged in ministry to the world. The early members of the groups that eventually became The United Methodist Church:

    •    took strong stands on issues such as slavery, smuggling, and humane treatment of prisoners;
    •    established institutions for higher learning;
    •    started hospitals and shelters for children and the elderly;
    •    founded Goodwill Industries in 1902;
    •    became actively involved in efforts for world peace;
    •    adopted a Social Creed and Social Principles to guide them as they relate to God’s world and God’s people;
    •    participated with other religious groups in ecumenical efforts to be in mission.
Excerpt from What Every Teacher Needs to Know About The United Methodist Church, p.20-23, Discipleship Resources © 2002. Used by permission.
New Day UMC
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Big Lake, MN  55309
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