A Principal Within
In 1972, just 4 years after the founding of The United Methodist Church formed out of a merger of two denominations, the Evangelical United Brethren Church and The Methodist Church, The United Methodist Church lived into its social heritage, recognizing the need to speak to pressing social concerns, needs, and situations. This was done in the form of “Social Principles” which continue to have a part in our United Methodist Book of Discipline, even today.
Borrowed from the United Methodist General Board of Church & Society’s website:
“The Social Principles articulate our ethical aspirations for the common good in our public policies and personal commitments. Through them, we seek to love God with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength and to desire for our neighbors what we desire for ourselves….
The newly adopted Social Principles address global social concerns, reflecting the diverse contexts of the worldwide church. Thousands of United Methodists with different backgrounds from around the world, offered input to recognize their context as well as the contexts of other communities across the [United Methodist] connection, fostering a common language and understanding that strengthens relationships and social witness.”
The newly adopted Social Principles address global social concerns, reflecting the diverse contexts of the worldwide church. Thousands of United Methodists with different backgrounds from around the world, offered input to recognize their context as well as the contexts of other communities across the [United Methodist] connection, fostering a common language and understanding that strengthens relationships and social witness.”
The hope, ultimately, is that these social principles can function less like church law, and more like starting points for discussion, study, and reflection. I often like to think of them as a moral compass, of sorts, pointing us toward new considerations and perspectives on familiar topics of social importance.
That being said, it is important to recognize that there is not expectation that any United Methodist will agree with the Social Principles 100%. Full agreement was never the goal. Instead, our denomination acknowledges that, while we are not all of one mind on every matter, we are capable of continued discernment. Furthermore, while we are not yet perfect in Christ’s love, we are moving onto
perfection through the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
perfection through the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
I echo the sentiments of generation upon generation of United Methodists from a wide variety of contexts when I express my gratitude that we, as a denomination, continue to speak to wide ranging social topics, recognizing that our faith and social world are not (and cannot be) separate. While the Gospel speaks to our salvation, both in a life after, as well as in the here-and-now, it also speaks to our calling to be the hands, feet, light, and love of Christ in the world and with all those we meet.
Here at Grand Blanc UMC, we have just launched our own Church & Society Team with the leadership and guidance of Shelly Gould-Rice, Brian Rice, and Melinda Elmore-Hajek. As this new expression of ministry finds its footing in GBUMC’s life and ministry, I look forward to the ways in which this team will help our congregation explore our social principles, discover new and familiar ways to live into our social obligations as Christians, and how we will continue to learn, together.
Perhaps as a first step, I want to encourage you to read through our Social Principles. They can be
accessed online here. As you read them, I want to encourage you to not merely agree or disagree, but allow the conversation and exploration (what we might call discernment) to begin, even in your own heart and mind.
accessed online here. As you read them, I want to encourage you to not merely agree or disagree, but allow the conversation and exploration (what we might call discernment) to begin, even in your own heart and mind.
Peace, my friends!
Pastor Brian
Pastor Brian
