The United Methodist Church has a long history of concern for social justice. Its members have often taken forthright positions on controversial issues involving Christian principles. Early Methodists expressed their opposition to the slave trade, to smuggling, and to the cruel treatment of prisoners. The Natural World – Human beings are stewards of the earth and must protect its natural resources. The Nurturing Community – The role of the family is to nurture people in mutual love, respect and fidelity.

The Social Community – United Methodists work toward a society where each person’s value is recognized, maintained and strengthened. The Economic Community – United Methodists believe in the equitable sharing of the world’s wealth. The Political Community  - The role of the government is to protect freedom, and guarantee the rights of people to adequate food, clothing, education, etc. The World Community – God’s world is one world. United Methodists believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Jesus.

The materials on this page are reproduced from the official United Methodist website. More information on official Church positions on social issues is available here.

United Methodist Social Creed 

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.Z

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.)