We affirm the need for theology to take contemporary forms of expression but find a clear and present danger of severing ourselves from the apostolic testimony to the Christian faith. "United Methodists share a common heritage with Christians of every age and nation. This heritage is grounded in the apostolic witness to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, which is the source and measure of all valid Christian teaching" (¶ 65).
It is the apostolic faith more than the contemporary experience of persons that defines the center and circumference of Christian teaching. While broadly ecumenical in many areas, we are not indifferent in matters of doctrine. We affirm with John Wesley that the Christian is "fixed as the sun in the main branches of Christian doctrine" (Sermon, "Catholic Spirit").
Therefore, as United Methodists, we again affirm Jesus Christ as the unique Savior of the world. We again take as our task the summoning of people to experience the justifying and sanctifying grace of God and to assist them in their growth in the knowledge and love of God within the context of Christian community. In addition to the primitive faith of the universal church, we endorse those Wesleyan distinctives which comprise the doctrinal standards of United Methodism. We reject attempts at theologizing which mock, repudiate, dismiss, or essentially alter the gospel by which we have been saved. On behalf of Christian sisters and brothers who have been scandalized by efforts which reconstruct the nature of God, deify personal experience, and deny Jesus Christ as the unique Savior of the world, we commit ourselves anew to vigilance in our doctrinal integrity.
We understand a fresh interest in doctrinal integrity to be essential in renewing our effectiveness. Our doctrinal standards define United Methodism as standing within the broad stream of apostolic Christianity. These standards are distinguishing characteristics of our identity. When persons become members of local congregations, they, along with the congregations of which they are becoming part, affirm the Apostles' Creed as a summary of doctrine ("Baptismal Covenant I," page 35, UMH). When persons are ordained within United Methodism, they covenant to "proclaim the faith of the Church and no other..." (Book of Worship, 675, "Order of Service for Ordination of Elders"). The certificate of ordination attests that each ordinand is "set apart for the work of an Elder...as long as this person continues to be a faithful servant of Jesus Christ and adheres to and teaches the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and the doctrine of the Church" (emphasis added). Episcopal leaders are given responsibility to "guard, transmit, teach, and proclaim, corporately, and individually the apostolic faith..." (¶ 514.2). "All general agencies of The United Methodist Church...are amenable to the General Conference" (¶ 802), and we take this amenability to extend to an affirmation of the doctrinal perspectives of the denomination, on whose behalf the general agencies have been created to serve. Some, having made these commitments in good conscience at one time, may determine that they are no longer able to affirm and uphold the doctrinal standards of United Methodism. In such instances, it is a matter of both justice and integrity that these persons officially withdraw from the covenant of membership, ordination, consecration, or institutional leadership rather than attempt to promote a different gospel under the auspices of the Church. Those whose teaching and/or leadership demonstrably repudiates the doctrine of United Methodism and who persistently refuse to relinquish their privilege of leadership granted by the people they have been called to serve are subject to the provisions for removal in the Discipline. A lack of accountability in the teaching tasks of the Church only leads to weakness within and without. Vigilance in doctrine undergirds a vibrant understanding of both our identity and the good news to which we bear witness.
A fresh interest in doctrinal integrity is essential, as well, to renewed engagement with the cultures of which United Methodists are part. Christian doctrine generally, and our doctrinal standards in particular, engage in the great opposites of human experience: law and grace, sin and forgiveness, guilt and absolution, wrath and mercy, life and death, God coming to us and our coming to Christ, obedience and freedom, authority and accountability, curse and blessing, hell and heaven. These opposites stand within creative balance in our doctrinal standards. A small mistake in Christian teaching can lead to huge blunders in human well-being. For the sake of the world Christ came to save, the Church must take exceptional care to faithfully communicate the truth in which we find life eternal and abundant.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 22213-DI-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference