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CROSSROADS is part of the “connectional” church or denomination known as United Methodist. To understand CROSSROADS' theology and history fully, one must have some understanding of the denomination. CROSSROADS is a church that emphasizes that all Christians are one in God's sight. We stress our common beliefs, rather than our differences in Christ. Yet, we have a distinct heritage that draws us toward other churches with a similar background. What is a United Methodist? In the words of John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, he states: “A Methodist is ... one who loves the Lord, his God with his heart, soul, mind and strength."
JohnWesley was ordained an Anglican Pastor in the Church of England. At a prayer meeting on May 24, 1738, he received inspiration, which called him into a deeper relationship with Christ. John Wesley stated: "I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the laws of sin and death."
After his experience in 1738, Wesley set out, with his brother Charles, to form societies of "Methodists," so called because the members followed a daily routine of religious observance and social work. Wesley never intended to break away from the Church of England. He wanted the societies to be a renewal movement within the church. In America, itinerant preachers spread the gospel and Wesley's teaching to the settlers.
After the American Revolution, a separate church was formed, called the "Methodist Episcopal Church." Over the years, other Wesleyan denominations also formed. In 1968, the Evangelical United Brethren Church (The German branch of Methodism) and the Methodist Church joined, to form "The United Methodist Church." Currently, the United Methodist Church is the country's second largest Protestant denomination.
Even today, John Wesley's life and teaching still carry a special meaning. Through John Wesley's teachings, Methodists strive to call people into a faith relationship with Jesus Christ. We challenge persons to becoming faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, by sharing God through missions, and addressing social problems. John Wesley's basic belief in the grace and forgiveness of God still permeates our basic theology of acceptance. United Methodists are a diverse body of believers.
The distinguishing marks of a United Methodist are probably best illustrated by a commitment to the basics of Christianity and by a Christian lifestyle, rather than by assenting to a particular litmus test of beliefs. John Wesley stated in The Character of a Methodist: "As to the opinions which do not strike at the root of Christianity, we think and let think." United Methodists share a common heritage with other Christians regarding: 1) We hold in common with all Christians, a faith in the mystery of salvation in and through Jesus Christ. 2) We confess belief in a triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 3.) We share the Christian belief that God's redemptive love is realized in human life by the activity of the Holy Spirit, both in personal experience and in the community of believers 4.) We understand ourselves to be a part of Christ's universal Church when by adoration, proclamation, and service we become conformed to Christ. 5.) We share with many Christian communities recognition of the authority of Scripture in matters of faith. 6.) A Celebration in the sacraments of baptism and communion.To learn about the history and beliefs of United Methodists, click here:
http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1707359/k.BE59/Beliefs.htm
