Our Mission & Core Beliefs

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..."  - Matthew 28:19

Our Mission

The mission of First United Methodist Church of Lancaster is to connect people to Jesus and the Church, make and grow Christian Disciples, and relieve suffering.

Our Vision

Our vision is to be the hub of Christian living in Lancaster and beyond. 

Our Values

We are both Christ-centered and people-focused,
scripturally and sacramentally guided,
prayerfully and missionally devoted,
emotionally and intellectually engaged,
tradition-honoring and innovatively creative,
evangelistic and socially active,
locally and globally involved.

Our Core Beliefs

First United Methodist Church is part of a 12.3 million-strong global denomination that seeks to open hearts, open minds, and open doors through active engagement with the world. Rooted in John Wesley’s teachings, our tradition emphasizes Christian living—putting faith and love into action. We believe in what Wesley called “practical divinity”—living out our faith in meaningful, everyday ways. The United Methodist Church is a worldwide family of faith, united by one mission: making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is at the center of everything we believe.
We believe:
  • Jesus lived a sinless life, died in our place, and rose again in victory. 
  • Only Jesus can reconcile us to God.
  • He is alive today and will return again as promised.

The Trinity

We believe in one eternal God—Creator of all things—who exists in three persons:
  • God, the Father
  • God, the Son (Jesus Christ)
  • God, the Holy Spirit

He is perfectly holy, fully loving, and always present.

The Holy Bible

We believe the Bible is God’s Word—vital to our faith and daily life. We view it as:
  • A Library: 66 books written across centuries, telling the story of God’s covenant with humanity.
  • Sacred Scripture: Guided by the Spirit and affirmed by generations of believers.
  • God Speaking: The Bible contains all things necessary for salvation and reveals God's will.
  • A Guide for Life: We study Scripture together, asking how it shapes our faith, community, and personal growth.

The Church

We believe the Church is the body of Christ—called to continue Jesus' work in the world.
The church is:
  • A community of disciples, past, present, and future.
  • A place to worship God and grow in faith.
  • Called to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

The Sacraments

We celebrate two sacraments in the United Methodist Church:
  • Baptism: The beginning of our faith journey and belonging to Christ.
  • Holy Communion: A sacred meal that sustains us and draws us closer to God.


What makes United Methodists different?


Watch this video done by RETHINKCHURCH, and discover what sets United Methodists apart and how our unique approach to faith and service makes a difference in the world. 

United Methodist Church Handbook

Discover the Handbook of The United Methodist Church—a digital, print-ready resource designed to help you understand who we are, how we are connected, and how we live out our shared mission together. Updated for the current quadrennium, this handbook offers clear explanations, helpful visuals, and trusted information for learning, teaching, and leading in The United Methodist Church. You can also find a conversation guide for new church members explaining what means to be a United Methodist. You can download a free digital version of the UMC Handbook, or you can order printed copies at the UMC Store. The handbook is available in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. 
Download Handbook