Use a catchy name such as “Beliefs Bash” and offer small prizes such as crafts or gift certificates to the winners. “United Methodists believe: Christ hosts Communion and all are welcomed by him.”Ĭreate common games based on church knowledge and hold a once-a-month pre- or post-service game hour. Send short-but-memorable tweets of simple facts such as these: “United Methodists believe: Do no harm do good love God.” “UMs believe: ‘The gospel of Christ knows no religion but social.’” “United Methodists believe: All creation is God’s, and we are responsible for the ways we use and abuse it. Offer frequent and regular mini-lessons via Twitter to those who are interested. Be prepared to answer them with kid-friendly responses.
Kids are attuned to costumed characters and certainly will ask questions. You also can post the videos on YouTube as a way to promote your church.įor younger children, have teachers or other volunteer dress as important figures in the history of The United Methodist Church (i.e., John Wesley and Francis Asbury) and visit Sunday school classes to tell the stories of who they are. Then you can create an online video library on your website. You’ll have a collection of short videos to show the entire congregation during a service. Let them be creative, but supervise the process so the end product is something the church can actually use. Allow them to make up songs and dances, use costumes, tell stories and use film-editing software. Offer youth groups and older Sunday school students Flip video cameras or other inexpensive digital tools and invite them to make short recordings explaining various aspects of the church. However, you’ll also need ways to help members communicate the answers.įocus on youth to ensure knowledge passes from generation to generation You can devise an endless list of questions and customize your answers to fit your congregation, community and style. While the largest percentage of your gift supports local church ministries, a portion (called an “apportionment”) goes beyond the community to make a difference throughout the world. What do you do with financial donations? When you give to a local United Methodist congregation, you support ministries all over the world.Many United Methodists are active in both local missions and global efforts. From sustainable water systems to health care, micro-lending, advocacy and helping eliminate malaria deaths ( Imagine No Malaria), United Methodists have many ways for people to live out their faith in community. Do you do missionary work? What kind? United Methodists serve the world over, showing Christ’s love through tangible means.The church has a General Conference, its legislative branch a Council of Bishops, somewhat like an executive branch and a nine-member Judicial Council, the judicial branch. United Methodists have a structure that in some ways parallels that of the U.S. Do United Methodists have something like a pope? No pope, no central office and no archbishop.Stay in love with God.” Some beliefs we share with other Christians are the Trinity (God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and Jesus’ birth, death and Resurrection. What does a United Methodist believe? United Methodists believe in actualizing their faith in community - actions speak louder than words.United Methodists believe that Christ hosts Holy Communion. You can expect readings from the Bible, preaching, singing and often Holy Communion, also called The Lord’s Supper or Eucharist. What do you do at your church services? United Methodists have a variety of worship styles from traditional to contemporary and beyond.What is a United Methodist? A United Methodist is a Christian who is part of a global denomination called The United Methodist Church. The organizational structure is often described as “the connection.” When you participate in a United Methodist congregation, you make an impact throughout the world.Here are some suggested responses to share with your congregants to help them provide accurate and, perhaps, even persuasive answers to common questions that may arise in casual conversation. Our Wesleyan Heritage is another source of information about our beliefs, including the concepts of grace and good works. InfoServ, the official United Methodist information service, can also answer questions via e-mail or live chat.
We usually do not stop to think about what congregants may say as individuals, but when they talk about their church and faith, their conversations can have positive or negative effects.įor those who would like to know more about The United Methodist Church, the best place to get basic information about the denomination is the Basics of Our Faith and Frequently Asked Questions web pages at UMC.org. If someone were to ask a member of your congregation, “What is a United Methodist,” what would you want them to say? Or not say?
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