The history of the Methodist movement, and that of United Methodism is one of spiritual vitality. From the beginning Methodists have striven to be sincere in their faith about who Christ is, and obedient to what he calls us to do. It is vital to a follower of Christ to have both faith and helping hands. Christ, and the world, require nothing less.
There are no exclusively United Methodist doctrines. Although we have distinctive emphases we have no affirmations which are not also believed by other Christian groups. So, some people ask, "What is the place of United Methodism if it has no message all its own?"
The answer: United Methodism repudiates any narrow sectarianism, and brings to the community of believers its own special gifts. Namely these are vitality and balance. United Methodism is Christianity with vital balance. This is its abiding contribution to the Christian Church and world.
Methodism as an organization is relatively new. It goes back to John Wesley (1703-1791), Philip William Otterbein (1726-1813), Francis Asbury (1745-1816), Jacob Albright (1745-1808), and their contemporaries. But how did it come to stress this vital balance?
Primarily because of the leadership of Wesley and of those who followed in his line of evangelical Christianity. In John Wesley's case he followed in the line of Moses, the best trained leader of the Old Testament, and Paul the best trained mind in the New Testament. Wesley knew well that Christianity is always in danger of becoming either lifeless or one-sided.
The Methodism that he founded was one of the most earnest efforts to preach and teach Christianity that is vital and balanced. Phillip William Otterbein, scholar, master of Hebrew and Greek, shared in the spirit of Wesley in all this.
Today the Methodist movement is represented by numerous denominations and approximately 70 million adherants around the world - serving and loving God and neighbor.