What's different or distinctive about being a United Methodist?
There are no exclusively United Methodist doctrines. Although we have a distinctive emphases, we have no affirmations that are not also believed by other Christian groups, United Methodists have traditionally proclaimed the following emphases.
- the availability of God's grace for all;
- the essential unity of faith and works;
- salvation as personal and social;
- the church as a community of Christ's disciples who seek to share in God's mission;
- the inseparability of knowledge (intellect) and vital piety (devotion to religious duties and practices) as component of faith;
- seeking holiness of heart and life both as individuals and in our society;
- a cooperative ministry and mission in the world, often referred to as "connectionalism";
- the link between Christian doctrine and Christian living.
