CORE PRINCIPLES OF THE WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH COMMUNITY
The Core Principles speak to the individual members and friends of Wesley UMC that participate in worship and the variety of ministries designed to fulfill the mission of Wesley UMC. These lay out how a disciple of Jesus, in the context of the Wesley UMC community, will live within the community. Living a life based on the Core Principles will lead individuals to a deeper and fuller relationship with God as growing disciples of Jesus. When we strive to live out these Core Principles, we as individuals become the “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9) and do the work of the “chosen,” which is to transform the world. That is best done in a local church as stated in The Book of Discipline. Therefore, the vitality of the Wesley UMC community is
enriched and more fully realized when all, as disciples of Jesus, follow him through these Core Principles.
Sees the Image of God in All People
A follower of Jesus replaces the need to blame others or self with an effort to see the sacred worth of each individual. As a result, a follower respects that individuals and families are doing the best they can with what they have and desires to see everyone do better. By attending a Core Principles class, individuals will learn how to live out this core principle.
“God created humanity in God’s own image, in the divine image God created them, male and female God created them.” —Genesis 1:27
“Love is patient.” —1 Corinthians 13:4
Celebrates Diversity and Differences
A follower of Jesus strives to embrace differences and welcomes opportunities to actively listen and learn about different cultures. As a result, a follower develops effectiveness in working with other cultures and is intentional about including individuals who are different with regard to age, economic or social status, disability, employment, language, national origin, race or ethnicity, religious or political views, gender and gender-identity, sexual orientation, or marital status. By attending a Core Principles class and other opportunities that address culture competency and ministries of reconciliation, individuals begin to live out this principle.
“After this I looked, and there was a great crowd that no one could number. They were from every nation, tribe, people, and language. They were standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” —Revelation 7:9
“Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” —Acts 1:8
Welcomes all People with Radical Hospitality
A follower of Jesus, in spite of a world view that is suspicious and judgmental of others who are different, welcomes and offers radical hospitality to all people. As a result, a follower takes initiative and intentionally plans to help people feel welcomed, included, and accepted. By attending a Core Principles class and participating in welcoming and hospitality ministries, individuals begin to live out this principle.
“He enacts justice for orphans and widows, and he loves immigrants, giving them food and clothing. That means you must also love immigrants because you were immigrants in Egypt.” —Deuteronomy 10:18-19
“Don’t neglect to open up your homes to guests, because by doing this some have been hosts to angels without knowing it.” —Hebrews 13:2
Develops Spiritual Maturity
A follower of Jesus focuses on creating space in his/her daily and weekly life to develop clarity about his/her own core principles and beliefs through a process driven by curiosity and discovery. As a result, a follower experiences ongoing transformation through practicing John Wesley's means of grace, which includes meditating and studying scriptures, prayer, fasting, participating in small groups, regularly attending worship, sharing in the sacraments, being accountable to others, and healthy living. This also includes participating in classes on the Core Principles.
“Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature.” —Romans 12:12
Works Toward Excellence
A follower of Jesus moves beyond one’s comfort level in order to give God the best in response to the gift of grace received. As a result, a follower endeavors to work towards a goal of excellence in every way he or she serves. Individuals live out this principle by attending a Core Principles class, having an attitude that strives towards excellence, and by being accountable.
“From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise.” —Philippians 4:8
“So then let’s also run the race that is laid out in front of us, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Let’s throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up.” —Hebrews 12:1
“There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a Jewish leader. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could do these miraculous signs that you do unless God is with him.’” —John 3:1-2
Lives a Life of Repentance and Reconciliation
A follower of Jesus turns away from and resists evil, oppression, and injustice in whatever forms they may take and participates in acts of mercy and justice. As a result, a follower refuses to participate in actions that lead to poverty, oppression, harm, or alienation and stands with those who are poor, oppressed, hurting, or lonely in order to create systems and structures that are just. By attending a Core Principles class and by participating in justice ministries through the church, conference, and denomination, individuals will learn how to live out this principle.
“All of these new things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” —2 Corinthians 5:18
These Core Principles of the Wesley UMC community are directly attached to the key elements of the Wesley United Methodist Church Mission Statement. Living towards these principles will enhance the fulfillment of the Mission Statement:
“To Build a…
The Core Principles speak to the individual members and friends of Wesley UMC that participate in worship and the variety of ministries designed to fulfill the mission of Wesley UMC. These lay out how a disciple of Jesus, in the context of the Wesley UMC community, will live within the community. Living a life based on the Core Principles will lead individuals to a deeper and fuller relationship with God as growing disciples of Jesus. When we strive to live out these Core Principles, we as individuals become the “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9) and do the work of the “chosen,” which is to transform the world. That is best done in a local church as stated in The Book of Discipline. Therefore, the vitality of the Wesley UMC community is
enriched and more fully realized when all, as disciples of Jesus, follow him through these Core Principles.
Sees the Image of God in All People
A follower of Jesus replaces the need to blame others or self with an effort to see the sacred worth of each individual. As a result, a follower respects that individuals and families are doing the best they can with what they have and desires to see everyone do better. By attending a Core Principles class, individuals will learn how to live out this core principle.
“God created humanity in God’s own image, in the divine image God created them, male and female God created them.” —Genesis 1:27
“Love is patient.” —1 Corinthians 13:4
Celebrates Diversity and Differences
A follower of Jesus strives to embrace differences and welcomes opportunities to actively listen and learn about different cultures. As a result, a follower develops effectiveness in working with other cultures and is intentional about including individuals who are different with regard to age, economic or social status, disability, employment, language, national origin, race or ethnicity, religious or political views, gender and gender-identity, sexual orientation, or marital status. By attending a Core Principles class and other opportunities that address culture competency and ministries of reconciliation, individuals begin to live out this principle.
“After this I looked, and there was a great crowd that no one could number. They were from every nation, tribe, people, and language. They were standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” —Revelation 7:9
“Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” —Acts 1:8
Welcomes all People with Radical Hospitality
A follower of Jesus, in spite of a world view that is suspicious and judgmental of others who are different, welcomes and offers radical hospitality to all people. As a result, a follower takes initiative and intentionally plans to help people feel welcomed, included, and accepted. By attending a Core Principles class and participating in welcoming and hospitality ministries, individuals begin to live out this principle.
“He enacts justice for orphans and widows, and he loves immigrants, giving them food and clothing. That means you must also love immigrants because you were immigrants in Egypt.” —Deuteronomy 10:18-19
“Don’t neglect to open up your homes to guests, because by doing this some have been hosts to angels without knowing it.” —Hebrews 13:2
Develops Spiritual Maturity
A follower of Jesus focuses on creating space in his/her daily and weekly life to develop clarity about his/her own core principles and beliefs through a process driven by curiosity and discovery. As a result, a follower experiences ongoing transformation through practicing John Wesley's means of grace, which includes meditating and studying scriptures, prayer, fasting, participating in small groups, regularly attending worship, sharing in the sacraments, being accountable to others, and healthy living. This also includes participating in classes on the Core Principles.
“Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature.” —Romans 12:12
Works Toward Excellence
A follower of Jesus moves beyond one’s comfort level in order to give God the best in response to the gift of grace received. As a result, a follower endeavors to work towards a goal of excellence in every way he or she serves. Individuals live out this principle by attending a Core Principles class, having an attitude that strives towards excellence, and by being accountable.
“From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise.” —Philippians 4:8
“So then let’s also run the race that is laid out in front of us, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Let’s throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up.” —Hebrews 12:1
“There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a Jewish leader. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could do these miraculous signs that you do unless God is with him.’” —John 3:1-2
Lives a Life of Repentance and Reconciliation
A follower of Jesus turns away from and resists evil, oppression, and injustice in whatever forms they may take and participates in acts of mercy and justice. As a result, a follower refuses to participate in actions that lead to poverty, oppression, harm, or alienation and stands with those who are poor, oppressed, hurting, or lonely in order to create systems and structures that are just. By attending a Core Principles class and by participating in justice ministries through the church, conference, and denomination, individuals will learn how to live out this principle.
“All of these new things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” —2 Corinthians 5:18
These Core Principles of the Wesley UMC community are directly attached to the key elements of the Wesley United Methodist Church Mission Statement. Living towards these principles will enhance the fulfillment of the Mission Statement:
“To Build a…
…from the Heart of Aurora.”
With these Core Principles for the members and friends of Wesley UMC, the movement towards fulfillment of the Mission will be consistent and constant.