What is the purpose of Fort Smith First United Methodist Church?
Fort Smith First United Methodist Church is a grace-filled community that serves neighbors with compassion, welcomes all with open hearts and minds,and grows disciples of Jesus Christ. This purpose statement names who we are and how we engage in ministry. It reflects the core values that have guided this congregation for generations: compassion, hospitality, and spiritual growth.
Who are the people of the United Methodist Church?
First United Methodist Church of Fort Smith is part of the United Methodist denomination, a worldwide connection of more than 12 million members in Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States. We are the person next door, the church on the other side of the country, and the worshiping community across the globe. Together, we share a legacy of living as disciples of Jesus Christ, sharing God's love both in what we say and how we serve our neighbors.
The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Learn more at this link.
What do United Methodists believe?
The United Methodist Church shares much in common with other Christian denominations. We affirm the historic Christian faith as expressed in the Apostles’ Creed, including:
United Methodists hold deep convictions while recognizing that faith is not always lived in black-and-white categories. Our denomination is often described as a “big table,” making space for theological conversation, faithful questioning, and, at times, disagreement. These conversations are held with grace, humility, and compassion. We affirm the Bible as divinely inspired and seek to live faithfully by its witness. At the same time, we recognize that scripture was written by people who encountered God within specific cultural and historical contexts. For this reason, United Methodists value scholarship, careful study, and thoughtful interpretation. When differences arise, we remember John Wesley’s guiding principle: “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”
We believe salvation is an open gift of God’s grace, freely offered and freely received. This belief is reflected in our practice of "Open Communion," which welcomes all to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion. We value spiritual disciplines and take a “methodical” approach to growing in faith. United Methodist worship is both passionate and diverse. Our congregations may be found singing hymns led by a choir in a sanctuary or praise songs accompanied by guitar and drums in a worship center. Methodists value the full participation of women and men, people of all backgrounds, in every facet of fellowship and leadership within the church and society.
What do United Methodists do?
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, taught that faith is lived out in community and expressed through action. United Methodists practice what Wesley called social holiness, believing that personal faith is inseparable from service to the world.
The United Methodist Church has a long history of mission, advocacy, and action for social justice, mercy, and compassion.
This is our heritage, and it continues to shape First United Methodist Church of Fort Smith in every area of our ministry.
Fort Smith First United Methodist Church is a grace-filled community that serves neighbors with compassion, welcomes all with open hearts and minds,and grows disciples of Jesus Christ. This purpose statement names who we are and how we engage in ministry. It reflects the core values that have guided this congregation for generations: compassion, hospitality, and spiritual growth.
Who are the people of the United Methodist Church?
First United Methodist Church of Fort Smith is part of the United Methodist denomination, a worldwide connection of more than 12 million members in Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States. We are the person next door, the church on the other side of the country, and the worshiping community across the globe. Together, we share a legacy of living as disciples of Jesus Christ, sharing God's love both in what we say and how we serve our neighbors.
The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Learn more at this link.
What do United Methodists believe?
The United Methodist Church shares much in common with other Christian denominations. We affirm the historic Christian faith as expressed in the Apostles’ Creed, including:
- The belief in one God, who is the Creator and sustainer of the universe.
- The belief in the Trinity, that there is one God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
- The belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is fully human and fully divine.
United Methodists hold deep convictions while recognizing that faith is not always lived in black-and-white categories. Our denomination is often described as a “big table,” making space for theological conversation, faithful questioning, and, at times, disagreement. These conversations are held with grace, humility, and compassion. We affirm the Bible as divinely inspired and seek to live faithfully by its witness. At the same time, we recognize that scripture was written by people who encountered God within specific cultural and historical contexts. For this reason, United Methodists value scholarship, careful study, and thoughtful interpretation. When differences arise, we remember John Wesley’s guiding principle: “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”
We believe salvation is an open gift of God’s grace, freely offered and freely received. This belief is reflected in our practice of "Open Communion," which welcomes all to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion. We value spiritual disciplines and take a “methodical” approach to growing in faith. United Methodist worship is both passionate and diverse. Our congregations may be found singing hymns led by a choir in a sanctuary or praise songs accompanied by guitar and drums in a worship center. Methodists value the full participation of women and men, people of all backgrounds, in every facet of fellowship and leadership within the church and society.
What do United Methodists do?
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, taught that faith is lived out in community and expressed through action. United Methodists practice what Wesley called social holiness, believing that personal faith is inseparable from service to the world.
The United Methodist Church has a long history of mission, advocacy, and action for social justice, mercy, and compassion.
This is our heritage, and it continues to shape First United Methodist Church of Fort Smith in every area of our ministry.
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First United Methodist Church is a part of the United Methodist Connection under the direction of the Arkansas Annual Conference.
Click here to be directed to the arumc.org website to learn more about the Arkansas Annual Conference. |