What We Believe
at First United Methodist Church

As United Methodist Christians, we believe in a balanced life of personal faith in God through Jesus Christ and of living out our faith in social responsibility. We hold Jesus Christ as the center of our life and work as Christians.

With this in mind we offer the following:

OUR MISSION AND VISION

First United Methodist Church is a large regional congregation committed to ministry in the downtown area of the city of Peoria as well as the Peoria Tri-county area.

Our mission is to grow disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of Peoria and the world. We want to know, serve, and share Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We want to be centered upon Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord in worship and ministries, to be obedient to God’s Word and Will, remembering that Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh and dwells among us, and to love God, neighbor, and one another.

Humbly recognizing our dependence upon the Holy Spirit, we seek to become more like Christ by loving God completely, and those we encounter whether as a friend, stranger, or enemy by:

• Praising and worshipping God
You Lord, have made known the ways of life and make us full of gladness with your presence – Acts 2:28

Disciples Magnify God’s Presence: We have significance as we experience God’s presence through worship and live all of life as though it were the worship of God.
• Growing together in faith
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern the will of God – Romans 12:2

Disciples Grow Through Spiritual Disciplines: We grow in our understanding of God and how to live in the world by involvement in study, small groups, prayer, fasting, daily devotional time, and meditation.
• Loving and serving others in Jesus name
There are a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit, and a variety of services all for the same Lord – I Corinthians 12:4-5

Disciples Use Their Gifts in the Community: We have purpose as we serve others through ministries of justice and mercy in the community and the world.
• Leading others to Jesus Christ
Go therefore and make disciples – Matthew 28:19

Disciples Birth New Disciples: We have meaning as we witness to the presence of God in our lives by sharing our faith with others.
As the prophet Jeremiah announced on behalf of God "…seek the peace and prosperity of the city…Pray to the Lord for it, because if it (city) prospers, you too will prosper" (Jeremiah 29:7 NIV), we seek to Lift Up Christ in the Heart of the City of Peoria so that

• Every person throughout Peoria, the Tri-County area, and the world will know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior,
“so at the name of Jesus every knew should bend…and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father – Philippians 2:10-11

Disciples Invite Others Into Relationship With Jesus Christ: The ultimate goal is to have all persons transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ to the glory of God.
• Each believer's gifts will be discovered, developed, and deployed,
"The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ…"

Disciples Use Their Gifts In The Community: We have purpose as we serve others through ministries of justice and mercy in the community and the world
• We will continue to be a faithful, vital, Spirit-called, Spirit-filled, and Spirit-led center for holistic ministry.
May The God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity so that with one heart you may glorify God – Romans 15:5-6

Disciples Have personal Encounters with God and Fellowship with Other Believers: We develop relationships as we are changed by God for fellowship with other believers.

THE SCRIPTURAL FOUNDATIONS OF OUR MINISTRY
• Matthew 22:36-40 - The Great Commandments

"...'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
• Matthew 28:16-20 - The Great Commission
"…Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
• Ephesians 4:11-16 - A Model for Ministry
"The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ…"
• Galatians 5:22-25 - A Measurement for Ministry
"…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit."