Back in the mid-1970s, I had a decision to make. I was on the “front line” when my community experienced an out-pouring of the Holy Spirit that transformed countless lives and spawned a number of persons entering the ministry. I saw God’s Spirit – the Holy Spirit – bring about a modern “Pentecost.” But the cementing of that experience came in the time I spent investigating what it really meant to be a Christian and to find a denomination to connect with that spiritually challenged me to:
“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.”
Recently, on a Sunday morning, I shared briefly about my journey and God who led me to a “theology of grace, anchored in scripture, and based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the present and continuing movement of the Holy Spirit.” It was the Core Beliefs and Values that welcomed me under the “Big Tent” of United Methodism where I found the “freedom” and could mature in the practice of the faith!
My first step was to allow God to lead me in an understanding of…
WHAT ARE OUR CORE BELIEFS & VALUES?
Discovering what the core values are that connect the people of The United Methodist Church throughout history as we face challenges…knowing that God is with us and calls you and me to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world! So, throughout this October, I invite you to join me in capturing a fuller understanding as United Methodist Christians in embracing the fullest understanding of…
WHAT ARE OUR CORE BELIEFS & VALUES
WHEN: (Beginning Sunday, Sept 25th) and throughout October, WE WILL REVISIT THE CORE BELIEFS OF A UNITED METHODIST. This 4-Sunday study will give us an opportunity to gather and learn and discuss and embrace our Wesleyan heritage and envision a promising future.
WHERE: We will meet at 4 – 5 pm at the centrally-located Mingo United Methodist Church in the sanctuary which will allow us to openly make the studies available to anyone on Zoom or other online platforms. (Recorded for later viewing.)
The theme of Each Weeks Study will be:
# 1 – Disciple Making – Sunday, September 25th – Core Values: Christ-centered, Deeply rooted, Disciple-making, Faithful and Grounded in Scripture.
# 2 – Belonging & Inclusion – Sunday, October 2nd – Core Values: Committed, Grace-filled, Jesus-seeking, Praying and Spirit-filled.
# 3 – Connect & Impact – Sunday, October 9th – Core Values: Missional, Connected, World-changing and Generous.
Note: Sunday, October 16th will be our afternoon Charge Conference so we will not hold a session on this date, but will move to the next Sunday afternoon (October 23rd) for Session #4.
# 4 – Experience of God through The UMC – Sunday, October 23rd – Core Values: Committed, Grace-filled, Jesus-seeking, Praying and Spirit-filled.
A FREE STUDY GUIDE IS AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD –
CLICK HERE to be taken to the online page to DOWNLOAD & PRINT.
(https://www.resourceumc.org/-/media/umc-media/2022/05/23/13/51/beumc-discussion-guide.ashx)
If you have any questions or wish to be a part, please share your interest by emailing: phildicks@gmail.com
Many were confirmed as United Methodists or have been part of a United Methodist Church. Now is the time to revisit those core beliefs and to refresh our full understanding from the prophet Micah, sometimes called the “great requirement” in Micah 6:8: “What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Do no harm, do good, and attend to the ordinances of God. Simple.
