The Church
Hebrews 10:19-25, Ephesians 4:1-6, Acts 2:42-47
Living the Truth About … The Church
Across America today, the church is
treated as another voluntary organization that people join as they do a
civic club or political party. As a result, the self-defined needs and wishes of the people gathering become more influential than God’s mission to the world.
However, the church’s identity and mission are rooted in God. Early Methodists wanted to spread in the hearts of people a love for God and neighbor, not to establish an institution. Organizational
structures, buildings, and formalized doctrinal statements were less
important than calling forth, teaching, nurturing, and supporting
Christian disciples. Early Methodists understood themselves as a people of faith who journey together in covenant with God and each other.
