A Vision of What Binds Us Together

The reason for the hope within us ~ 1 Peter 3:15

In the context of a global contemporary culture, it is imperative that “the people called Methodists” be bound by a recognition that we are a movement of missionary people called by God, whose divine nature is missionary. We are called to join with God in a global mission to the whole of creation. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us, as World Methodists, to revisit and re-state in clearly articulate terms that which binds us together:

1. The centrality of Jesus Christ in reconciling the world to God – We have confidence in and a passion for the Gospel and we affirm its urgency. We hold Jesus Christ central in everything and emphasize that He is Lord and Savior. We lift up the importance of “conversion to Jesus Christ” and of faithfully making disciples throughout the world. (2 Cor. 5:18-19, 1 Cor. 9:16)
2. Connectivity – As Methodists we are one people in all the world, connected through our Wesleyan heritage as well as through being part of one Church, holy and apostolic.We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ’s commission to His Church to preach the gospel and to make disciples of all nations is the supreme business of the church.In this spirit we are sent to serve others and together to engage in world missions and evangelism. (Mt. 28:19)
3. Salvation for all – Today more than ever, identifying needs and addressing them are crucial if we are to faithfully proclaim the Gospel and spread scriptural holiness throughout the world. We affirm the “four alls of Methodism” as being distinctive: All need to be saved. All can be saved. All can know that they are saved. All can be saved to the uttermost. (Mk. 16:15; Eph. 2:8; 2 Cor. 5:14-15; 1 Tim. 2:3-4; Heb. 7:25)
4. Every Christian is called to witness to the good news of Christ Jesus – This witness is incarnational. The Church as a community of faith is the witness of Christ in the world. All Christians are called to witness for Christ in the situation in which they live. Church leaders are to equip, empower, and enable members to understand the context for witness. This understanding helps believers to be confident and competent to share their faith through word, deed, and sign. (Lk 4:18-19; Acts 1:8; Romans 15:18:19)
5. Evangelism grounded in Scripture and prayer – Evangelism is grounded in the Holy Bible, the foundation for doctrine, teaching, preaching, and practice. Evangelism is also grounded in prayer, both personal and corporate. (Eph. 6:18-19; Col. 4:2-4)