The Christian Faith Is About Helping Others

Jesus said: “I was hungry and you gave Me food, thirsty and you gave Me drink, a stranger and you took Me in, Naked – you clothed Me, sick – you visited Me, in prison – you came to Me.” Matthew 25:35-36 And when He was asked when we had done those things for Him, He answered that whenever we help any troubled or needy person, we are helping Him. Isn’t that cool!

We joined a Methodist church because Methodists are so involved in ministries on behalf of the world’s hurting ones. United Methodists proclaim the gospel to be both personal and social. What the United Methodist Church says about social issues is written in their Social Principles- a long document that has been part of their doctrine for 100 years.

The UMC’s social principles always ensure the rights of the underdog. These principles condemn religious intolerance, racial prejudice, exploitive economic practices, domestic surveillance by governments, torture, and the death penalty – among other issues.

The UMC’s position on marriage is defined as a union of one man and one woman. But the church is open and welcoming to people with other lifestyles. The UMC is also reluctant to approve abortion. But their ministry to those who have experienced abortion is a given. Not being judgmental and keeping an open heart and an open mind is all important.

The UMC affirms that males and females are equal in God’s eyes and women can become ministers or church leaders through affirmative church policies.

The UMC goes on to state that they deplore war and reject national policies of enforced military service as incompatible with the gospel.

Their view on health care is that it is a basic human right. Their stand is that the right to health care is a public – and private responsibility.

These Social Principles include much more --- but basically they define the United Methodist Church – not as an exclusive club – but as a body of humble Christians out helping others.,