Pastor Barry Stallings
1874 Maco Rd, NE
Leland, NC 28451
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Wesleyan Methodists first arrived in America in the early 1760's. They were seeking opportunities for land and livelihood. September 1, 1784 John Wesley ordained the first two Methodist deacons. Prior to this, there were no ordained Methodist leaders. To receive Communion, you had to receive it from Anglican clergy, the Church of England. Wesley had never wanted to separate from the Church of England. However, when the Anglican Bishop of London refused to ordain a Methodist preacher for America, Wesley realized action must be taken. Thus, the two ordained Methodist deacons. September 2, he consecrated Thomas Coke as superintendent (later defined as "bishop".
The Superintendent and Deacons left for America with the Articles of Religion and the Sunday Service of the Methodists document.
In the years to follow, Methodists in America were established as a true church. Two documents define our heritage and provide the foundation of our beliefs: The Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church and the Confession of Faith of The Evangelical United Brethren Church.
United Methodists identify two sacraments: baptism and the Lord's Supper, or Holy Communion.
United Methodists believe in infant baptism for many reasons. First and foremost they believe that infant baptism is good for the church, the family, and the parents.
To quote from the Confession of Faith "We believe Baptism signifies entrance into the household of faith, and is a symbol of repentance and inner cleansing from sin, a representation of the new birth in Christ Jesus and a mark of Christian discipleship. We believe children are under the atonement of Christ and as heirs of the Kingdom of God are acceptable subjects for Christian baptism. Children of believing parents through baptism become the special responsibility of the Church."
From the Articles of Religion, Article XVII- Of Baptism: "Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christians are distinguished from others that are not baptized; but it is also a sign of regeneration or the new birth. The baptism of young children is to be retained in the church."
According to Methodists, we believe we're saved by grace through faith . We're made whole and reconciled by the love of God as we receive it and trust in it.
The process of Salvation is one called conversion by Methodists. It is this conversion process of either turning away from sin or leaving one orientation from another that creates our new beginning, or rebirth. The conversion process can be instantaneous or a gradually building process; whatever the time line it is a new beginning.
Methodists also believe that although we have experienced conversion and regeneration, it is possible to depart from grace and fall into sin; and we may even then, by the grace of God, be renewed in righteousness.
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." There is no other commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31)
This commandment is at the heart of our church structure.
Information on this page and site has been summarized from research in a variety of locations, including but not limited to:
This We Believe: The Articles of Religion and the Confession of Faith of the United Methodist Church written by Norman P. Madsen (Cokesbury, 1980)
Still have questions? Please contact us anytime! We look forward to hearing from you.
Copyright 2011 Shiloh United Methodist Church: Maco. All rights reserved.
1874 Maco Rd, NE
Leland, NC 28451
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