We believe in God, Creator of the world; and in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of creation. We believe
in the Holy Spirit, through whom we acknowledge God’s gifts, and we repent of our sin in misusing these gifts to idolatrous
ends.
We affirm the natural world as God’s handiwork and dedicate ourselves to its preservation,
enhancement, and faithful use by humankind.
We joyfully receive for ourselves and others the blessings of community, sexuality, marriage, and
the family.
We commit ourselves to the rights of men, women, children, youth, young adults, the aging, and people
with disabilities; to improvement of the quality of life; and to the rights and dignity of racial, ethnic, and religious minorities.
We believe in the right and duty of persons to work for the glory of God and the good of themselves
and others and in the protection of their welfare in so doing; in the rights to property as a trust from God, collective bargaining,
and responsible consumption; and in the elimination of economic and social distress.
We dedicate ourselves to peace throughout the world, to the rule of justice and law among nations,
and to individual freedom for all people of the world.
We believe in the present and final triumph of God’s Word in human affairs and gladly
accept our commission to manifest the life of the gospel in the world. Amen.
(It is recommended that this statement of Social Principles be continually available to United Methodist
Christians and that it be emphasized regularly in every congregation. It is further recommended that "Our Social Creed" be
frequently used in Sunday worship.)
(From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church - 2000. Copyright 2000 by The United Methodist
Publishing House. Used by permission.)
