What We Believe
The United Methodist Church does not require all persons to affirm a particular creed or doctrine. Therefore, within the UMC, there is a broad spectrum of theological understanding and social opinion.
You will find a diversity of theological opinions within our congregations. At FUMC Omaha, you will find opportunities for spiritual growth and reflections in a variety of ways. Welcome means that all are encouraged to travel their own spiritual path supported and encouraged by a community of acceptance.
First United Methodist Church is proud to be part of a Local Methodist Network of Omaha Inclusive Churches.
What makes Methodists different
Methodism began in the 1700s within the Church of England through the work and devotion of Anglican priest, John Wesley. Wesley’s theology emphasized the Grace of God, and he believed God is with us before we are even aware of it. God’s grace continues with us throughout our lives and beyond. Wesley believed that the living core of the Christian faith was revealed in scripture, illuminated by tradition, vivified in personal experience and confirmed by reason.
At FUMC, all are encouraged to reflect upon and apply experience and reason to personal spiritual insights. All are invited to journey into greater awareness of The Divine in a supportive community of grace.
The Bible
Holy Scriptures are the compilation of people’s experience in seeking the sacred. They are inspired writings penned by human hands within a particular context. We interpret individual texts in light of their place in the Bible as a whole.
We apply scholarly developments in textual studies to discern application and meaning for today. We also note the gift of many other writings which were not placed in the biblical canon and draw upon the wisdom of those voices as well.
VISION FOCUS
We are the body of Christ. As such:
we welcome and celebrate the diversity of god’s children;
we are a healing and caring community where all people can seek to become whole persons in
Christ;
we are a vital center of spiritual growth; and,
we are in ministry with each other and with the community of Omaha and the world.
Supporting the Vision
Celebration and Praise:
We will continue our current blended worship style. (Worship style includes all of the liturgy-readings, sermons, prayers and music.) We will also remain open to offering different worship styles to meet the needs of members who may or may not be attending now and other persons who are seeking meaningful worship experiences.
Spiritual Growth:
We will expand opportunities for everyone in the congregation to learn about and experience spiritual practices and life patterns that will lead to a growing relationship with God and wholeness in body, mind and spirit. This will include classes and small groups focusing on Bible study, spiritual formation, prayer and the healing ministry.
Welcoming, Acceptance and Togetherness:
We are welcoming, accepting and encouraging of involvement for all who wish to join in the worship and service of God. We are inclusive of those associated with all economic levels, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, marital statuses, abilities and age levels. We strive to be a place where people feel comfortable and want to be. An integral aspect of our congregation is the mutual respect we have for one another in our diversity. All intentionally reach out to build new relationships and strengthen existing relationships especially during difficult times.
Community in Action:
We are a place where community issues and needs are examined in the context of our faith and everyone in the congregation responds to those needs in some way. We establish meaningful, interactive relationships with our neighborhood and larger community. We work toward changing the underlying causes of social problems and will be engaged in seeking justice at the local, national, and international levels.
Ministry with Children, Youth, and Young Adults:
We will strengthen our ministry with children, youth, and young adults to provide opportunities for involvement in worship and the life of our congregation, for spiritual growth and for Christian discipleship.
Resources:
Adequate facilities, personnel and financial resources need to be provided to accomplish our vision. This will require ongoing evaluation of our need and a stewardship education program.
The Connection:
We are a United Methodist congregation and embrace the opportunities for mission and growth available to us through the larger United Methodist Church. We will work to change policies and positions of the United Methodist Church that we believe to be in conflict with our understanding of God’s will for the Church.
Beyond the Connection:
While we value and gladly share our own religious heritage, we also respect, honor, and learn from other faith traditions. We are committed to continuing interfaith dialogue and cooperation.
Eight Points of Progressive Theology
By calling ourselves progressive, we mean that we are Christians who:
- have found an approach to God through the life and teachings of Jesus.
- recognize the faithfulness of other people who have other names for the way to God’s realm, and acknowledge that their ways are true for them, as our ways are true for us.
- understand the sharing of bread and wine in Jesus’ name to be a representation of an ancient vision of God’s feast for all people.
- invite all people to participate in our community and worship life without insisting they become like us in order to be acceptable.
- know that the way we behave toward one another and toward other people is the fullest expression of what we believe.
- find more grace in the search for meaning than in absolute certainty, and find more value in asking questions than hearing answers.
- form ourselves into communities dedicated to equipping one another for the work we feel called to do: striving for peace and justice among all people, protecting and restoring the integrity of all God’s creation, and bringing hope to those Jesus called the least of his sisters and brothers.
- recognize that being followers of Jesus is costly and entails selfless love, conscientious resistance to evil, and renunciation of privilege.
Our History of Social Justice
This church has always been on the forefront of justice work; it is part of our DNA. We work for inclusion and justice for any marginalized or oppressed people because we understand that is what it means to follow in the Way of Jesus.
In 1858, a pastor who supported slavery was appointed to First Methodist, the congregation refused to pay him until he was removed.
In 1877 when Chief Standing Bear made his way to Omaha, he and his followers were in desperate need of food and provisions. The people of First Methodist Church responded immediately with care. The pastor from this church supported Standing Bear as the courts debated his full humanity under the law.
In 1992, FUMC joined with 20 other congregations to form Omaha Together One Community, a faith-based coalition for community organizing.
In 2000, FUMC took bold steps to become a Reconciling Ministries Congregation working within the United Methodist Church for full inclusion and acceptance of all persons regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
Welcome means that we believe that all people are made in the image of God and are of sacred worth. Today we continue to advocate equity, justice, and compassion for all people.