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This is the question I want to address for the next several weeks with you. United Methodists are sometimes  accused of not believing in anything. Or we are accused of not having any established doctrine. But the fact of the matter is that there are definitely distinguishing characteristics of a United Methodist, and I intend on presenting at least eight of them for you in this series of newsletter articles. It is important to remember that as United Methodists we are Wesleyan in the expression of our faith. This means that we adhere to the spiritual and doctrinal emphases of John Wesley, the great church reformer in the Anglican tradition. Of course the Anglican Church never embraced the reforms of John Wesley, which did not prevent Wesley from maintaining his Anglican Church membership till the day he died. It was the Wesleyan “reformation movement” which eventually became known as Methodism. From the original Methodist movement sprang many other religious traditions, too numerous to mention here.
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As United Methodists we are Wesleyans, which means that when we think
theologically, and that when we express ourselves theologically, we are
governed by these three things: The 39 Articles of Religion (Anglican
Church), John Wesley’s Sermons and Notes, and John Wesley’s Explanatory
Notes Upon the New Testament. Contained within these documents is
sufficient “church doctrine” to keep any religious purist contented.
<*>
First, Wesleyans are ecumenical. We desire to have fellowship with all
other Christians. The term ecumenical comes from the Greek word
“oikoumene,” which refers to the “inhabited world.” Wesleyans are
concerned with the Christian Church in its worldwide scope. We are
concerned with establishing and promoting unity among the various
Christian traditions.
<*>Wesleyans are not separatists or sectarian. We are not exclusivists,
meaning we don’t believe we have the only valid interpretation of the
Christian Faith and that those who don’t believe as we do are consigned
to hell.<* />
John Wesley’s first publication about the early Methodist movement was
entitled, “The Character of a Methodist.” In that little pamphlet
Wesley made it clear that Methodists had no desire to be distinguished
from any other believers. That is still true today. We affirm the basic
Christian doctrines. We affirm the historic creeds. We join in ministry
with other Christians whenever and wherever we can.
ethodists are people of generous spirit. We respect the diversity of
opinions held by conscientious persons of faith. John Wesley followed a
time-tested approach: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials,
liberty; and in all things, charity.” For Wesleyans the crucial matter
in religion is steadfast love for God and neighbor; exemplified in the
life, teachings and ministries of Jesus Christ, and empowered by the
redeeming and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.<*>
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