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On April 23, 1968, The United Methodist Church was created when Bishop Reuben H. Mueller, representing The Evangelical United Brethren Church, and Bishop Lloyd C. Wicke of The Methodist Church joined hands at the constituting General Conference in Dallas, Texas. With the words, "Lord of the Church, we are united in Thee, in Thy Church and now in The United Methodist Church," the new denomination was given birth by two churches that had distinguished histories and influential ministries in various parts of the world.
Theological traditions steeped in the Protestant Reformation and Wesleyanism, similar ecclesiastical structures, and relationships that dated back almost two hundred years facilitated the union. In the Evangelical United Brethren heritage, for example, Philip William Otterbein, the principal founder of the United Brethren in Christ, assisted in the ordination of Francis Asbury to the superintendency of American Methodist work. Jacob Albright, through whose religious experience and leadership the Evangelical Association was begun, was nurtured in a Methodist class meeting following his conversion. Kindly go into The United Methodist Church’s main web site to read further into:
- Roots, 1736-1816
- The Churches Grow, 1817-1843
- The Slavery Question and Civil War, 1844-1865
- Reconstruction, Prosperity, and New Issues, 1866-1913
- World War and More Change, 1914-1939
- Movement Toward Union, 1940-1967
- Developments and Changes Since 1968
OUR BELIEFS
With Christians of other communions we confess belief in the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This confession embraces the biblical witness to God’s activity in creation, encompasses God’s gracious self-involvement in the dramas of history, and anticipates the consummation of God’s reign.
The created order is designed for the well-being of all creatures and as the place of human dwelling in covenant with God. As sinful creatures, however, we have broken that covenant, become estranged from God, wounded ourselves and one another, and wreaked havoc throughout the natural order. We stand in need of redemption.
" ... Because God truly loves us in spite of our willful sin, God judges us, summons us to repentance, pardons us, receives us by that grace given to us in Jesus Christ, and gives us hope of life eternal." Again, The United Methodist Church’s main web site has detailed write-ups on the following:
- Scripture
- Tradition
- Experience
- Reason
- A Triune God
- Prevenient Grace
- Justification and Assurance
- Sanctification and Perfection
- Faith and Good Works
- Nurture and Mission of the Church
- Mission and Service
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