Methodist?
1) Solid Rock United Methodist Church is a Connectional church.
It does not exist as an independent congregation, but is connected to other Methodists throughout the world.
(1 Corinthians 12:12-14)
2) Solid Rock is an Episcopal church.
It submits to the biblical and ancient church office of Bishop.
A Bishop is an overseer (episcopos in the Greek) who exercises pastoral care over a geographical area.
The Bishop for the NC Conference (Annual Conference) is the Reverend AL Gwinn. (Titus 1:7-9)
3) Solid Rock church government is Representative, not congregational.
Congregational leaders are elected to represent the members of the church by virtue of their spiritual gifts.
The congregation does not vote on issues, but the representatives do.
4) Methodism is an Evangelical movement.
It upholds the preaching of the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It believes that salvation comes from regeneration into the Kingdom of Heaven.
(John 3:5,6)
5) Methodism is committed to Holiness.
On a personal level, includes the complete dedication of one’s self, by means of the Holy Spirit, to God.
Socially, Solid Rock desires to bring the principles of the Gospel to bear on the present needs of society.
(1 Thessalonians 3:13, 4:7)
6) Methodists believe in the Universality of the Body of Christ.
The church of Jesus Christ is comprised of all people who have received Jesus as Lord and Savior,
regardless of denominational background. (Ephesians 4:3-6)
7) Methodism is historically Charismatic.
Methodists have traditionally believed that God has poured out spiritual gifts on the people of God
for the purpose of building up the church and giving the world the Good News. (Acts 2:17,18)
United Methodists believe in The Triune God-head (Father, Son and Holy Ghost).
We hold in faith the mystery of salvation in and through Jesus Christ alone.
At the heart of the Gospel of salvation is God’s incarnation in Jesus Christ.
Justification as sinners is by grace through faith.
We believe in Jesus life and teaching,
His atoning death, His resurrection, His sovereign presence in history,
His triumph over evil and death, and His promised return.
God loves us in spite of our sins and judges us, summons us to repentance, pardons us,
receives us by that grace given to us in Jesus Christ, and gives us the hope of eternal life.
We believe in the indwelling and the activity of the Holy Spirit.
We believe that the reign of God is both a present and future reality.
We recognize the authority of Scripture.
We acknowledge God’s Grace.
By grace we mean the undeserved, unmerited, and loving action of God in human existence
through the ever-present Holy Spirit.
God’s grace is undivided, yet it precedes salvation as “prevenient grace”,
continues in “justifying grace”, and is brought to fruition in “sanctifying grace.”
Finally we believe in faith evident in works of mission, service, and nurturing.
Taken from ‘The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church’ 2000.
