i think i only have big answers to this question. a big part of it is that i think the UMC does music better than any other church hands down. another part of it is their social justice creed (see below). but a lot of it is that the UMC seems squarely in the middle for me. it is both sacramental and evangelical. it brings together many of the traditions of lutheranism, roman catholicism, anabaptism and calvinism - kinda like a mutt brings together the best qualities of the parents while an over-bred dog can get inbred? also i like its trinitarianism, that it's background is firmly rooted in commitment to the poor even though it hasn't always followed that as it should, and that it isn't afraid to emphasize works, while still giving them second place to faith. honestly, john wesley was a seriously worth-while guy. is sermons are brilliant, interesting and not over anyone's head. he was a man intensely interested in faithful life. if you have a chance to read some of his sermons from the library, i think you would get the feel for why i admire him.
We believe in God, Creator of the world; and in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of creation. We believe in the Holy Spirit, through whom we acknowledge God’s gifts, and we repent of our sin in misusing these gifts to idolatrous ends.
We affirm the natural world as God’s handiwork and dedicate ourselves to its preservation, enhancement, and faithful use by humankind.
We joyfully receive for ourselves and others the blessings of community, sexuality, marriage, and the family.
We commit ourselves to the rights of men, women, children, youth, young adults, the aging, and people with disabilities; to improvement of the quality of life; and to the rights and dignity of racial, ethnic, and religious minorities.
We believe in the right and duty of persons to work for the glory of God and the good of themselves and others and in the protection of their welfare in so doing; in the rights to property as a trust from God, collective bargaining, and responsible consumption; and in the elimination of economic and social distress.
We dedicate ourselves to peace throughout the world, to the rule of justice and law among nations, and to individual freedom for all people of the world.
We believe in the present and final triumph of God’s Word in human affairs and gladly accept our commission to manifest the life of the gospel in the world. Amen.
From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church - 2000. Copyright 2000 by The United Methodist Publishing House.
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a big part of it is that i think the UMC does music better than any other church hands down.
another part of it is their social justice creed (see below).
but a lot of it is that the UMC seems squarely in the middle for me. it is both sacramental and evangelical. it brings together many of the traditions of lutheranism, roman catholicism, anabaptism and calvinism - kinda like a mutt brings together the best qualities of the parents while an over-bred dog can get inbred?
also i like its trinitarianism, that it's background is firmly rooted in commitment to the poor even though it hasn't always followed that as it should, and that it isn't afraid to emphasize works, while still giving them second place to faith.
honestly, john wesley was a seriously worth-while guy. is sermons are brilliant, interesting and not over anyone's head. he was a man intensely interested in faithful life. if you have a chance to read some of his sermons from the library, i think you would get the feel for why i admire him.
We believe in God, Creator of the world; and in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of creation. We believe in the Holy Spirit, through whom we acknowledge God’s gifts, and we repent of our sin in misusing these gifts to idolatrous ends.
We affirm the natural world as God’s handiwork and dedicate ourselves to its preservation, enhancement, and faithful use by humankind.
We joyfully receive for ourselves and others the blessings of community, sexuality, marriage, and the family.
We commit ourselves to the rights of men, women, children, youth, young adults, the aging, and people with disabilities; to improvement of the quality of life; and to the rights and dignity of racial, ethnic, and religious minorities.
We believe in the right and duty of persons to work for the glory of God and the good of themselves and others and in the protection of their welfare in so doing; in the rights to property as a trust from God, collective bargaining, and responsible consumption; and in the elimination of economic and social distress.
We dedicate ourselves to peace throughout the world, to the rule of justice and law among nations, and to individual freedom for all people of the world.
We believe in the present and final triumph of God’s Word in human affairs and gladly accept our commission to manifest the life of the gospel in the world. Amen.
From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church - 2000. Copyright 2000 by The United Methodist Publishing House.