Thanks for checking out “Who We Are.”  By the fact that you’ve come to this page, we can only assume that you’re at least a little bit curious about the United Methodist faith. Consider these very basic points, taken from the RETHINK CHURCH website:

•At the risk of stating the obvious, we’re Christians.
•There are 8 million of us in the United States and another 3.5 million in countries around the world. You can help that number grow.
•Our congregations are deeply involved in their own communities and in outreach far from home.
•Both women and men are our clergy/pastors.  We believe that we are all in ministry together.  Our decision-making bodies always include clergy and lay church members.
•We have two sacraments – baptism and communion – and our communion table is open to all. (Yes, that really means everyone.)
•We believe that many of the things that separate people from each other are more important to them than they are to God.
•Our name, Methodist, at first was a term meant to poke fun at our theological founder, John Wesley. (He’s an interesting character, and you’ll learn more about him if you keep asking questions.)
•We hope you’ll do exactly that – keep asking questions about United Methodism and about how you can grow spiritually and do good works in God’s name.
To read more about United Methodism (and its history), click here.

United Methodists come in all sizes, shapes, colors, dispositions, outlooks and life stories, but share a unique history and faith perspective. Our members speak many languages and live in many countries.

No matter how or where they serve Jesus Christ, United Methodists do God’s work in a unique structure—referred to as “the connection." This concept has been central to Methodism from its beginning.  Connectionalism comes to life through our clergy appointment system, our mission and outreach, and through our collective giving. We live out our call to mission and ministry by engaging in ministry with the poor, combating diseases of poverty by improving health globally, creating new places for new people and renewing existing congregations, and developing principled Christian leaders. No one congregation can do all these ministries, but together—through the power of our connection—we can make a tremendous difference.

From:  http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1355347/k.2F4F/Our_Church.htm

However or wherever they serve Jesus Christ, United Methodist congregations have these seven characteristics in common:
1)    The United Methodist Church is a Connectional church. 
It does not exist as an independent congregation, but is connected to other United Methodists throughout the world. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14 )

2)    We are an Episcopal church.
We submit to the biblical and ancient church office of a Bishop.  A Bishop is an overseer (episcopos in the Greek) who exercises pastoral care over a geographical area. The Bishop for the Indiana Annual Conference is the Rev. Dr. Michael Coyner.  (Titus 1:7-9 )

3)    The United Methodist church government is Representative, not congregational.  
Congregational leaders are elected to represent the members of the church by virtue of their spiritual gifts.  The congregation does not vote on issues, but the representatives do. The exception to this is when a Charge Conference is called. Then all Members are allowed to vote.

4)    United Methodism is an Evangelical  movement. 
It upholds the preaching and reaching out through mission, the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It believes that salvation comes from regeneration into the Kingdom of Heaven. (John 3:5-6 )

5)    United Methodism is committed to Holiness.  On a personal level, this includes the complete dedication of one’s self, by means of the Holy Spirit, to God and to the doing of His will for our lives. This is sanctification.  Socially, we desire to bring the principles of the Gospel to bear on the present needs of society and direct them toward the Lord. This brings the Kingdom of God “on earth as it is in Heaven.” (1 Thessalonians 3:13 , 1 Thessalonians 4:7 )

6)    United Methodists believe in the Universality of the Body of Christ.
The church of Jesus Christ is comprised of all people who have received Jesus as Lord and Savior, regardless of denominational background.  (Ephesians 4:3-6 )


7)    United Methodism is historically Charismatic.  Methodists have traditionally believed that God has poured out spiritual gifts on the people of God for the purpose of building up the church and giving the world the Good News.
(Acts 2:17-18 )