What is different or distinctive about being a United Methodist?
There are no exclusively United Methodist doctrines. Although we have 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.
