As United Methodists, we share a common heritage with all Christians. According to our foundational statement of beliefs in The Book of Discipline, we affirm the following:
- God, who is one, is revealed in three distinct persons.
- We believe in the mystery of salvation through Jesus Christ. God became human in Jesus, whose life, death, and resurrection demonstrate God’s redeeming love.
- The Holy Spirit is God’s present activity in our midst. When we sense God’s leading, challenge, support, or comfort, it is the Holy Spirit at work.
Genesis 1:27 asserts that we are made in the image of the Creator. Like God, we have the capacity to love and care, to communicate, and to create. - The Church is the Body of Christ, an extension of Christ’s life and ministry in the world today.
- We believe that the Bible is the primary authority for our faith and practice.
- The kingdom of God is both a present reality and a future hope.
Wesleyan Distinctives
As United Methodists, we are part of the broader Wesleyan tradition, which is marked by:
- A robust theological understanding of grace, with an emphasis on the work of sanctification (growth in holiness).
- We see God’s grace and human activity working together in the relationship of faith and good works. God’s grace calls forth human response and discipline.
- Scriptural holiness entails more than personal piety; love of God is always linked with love of neighbor, a passion for justice and renewal in the life of the world.
- We emphasize the nurturing and serving function of Christian fellowship in the Church. The personal experience of faith is nourished by the worshiping community.
- Leadership roles, including ordained ministry, are open to everyone, embracing the full diversity of our community.
- An open communion table, where all are invited.
Theological Identity–how we approach scripture & theology
First UMC maintains a theological identity statement crafted through years of prayer, study, conversation, and collaboration. It was shaped by our pastoral staff, Vision Team, and Administrative Council. This statement is not Scripture, nor does it replace The Book of Discipline. It is an internal guide to who we are and where we are going.
Our approach to Scripture:
Proper interpretation of Scripture always builds up love of God and neighbor, corrects false teaching, and strengthens the Body of Christ. We believe that diversity of interpretation—within the bounds of love of God and neighbor—reflects the beautiful mystery of God’s self-revelation and the diverse gifts of the Church.
Core Values & Ministry Strategies
At First UMC, our core values shape who we are and how we serve.
These values are more than ideas—they guide our decisions, shape our ministries, and reflect the kind of church we believe God is calling us to be. For each value, we strive to develop clear strategies that help us live them out in everyday ministry, both within our congregation and in the broader community.
Generosity
We strive to model stewardship rooted in simplicity and generosity. We consistently ask: What has God given us, and how can we be faithful with it?
Therefore, we prayerfully steward our church’s resources so that our budget reflects simplicity and generous outreach. We encourage every individual and family to consider:
-How can we live simply, acknowledging that God has provided more than enough?-
-How can we give generously, knowing that our giving blesses others and expresses thanksgiving to God?
-How can we live simply, acknowledging that God has provided more than enough?-
-How can we give generously, knowing that our giving blesses others and expresses thanksgiving to God?
Leadership Development
We believe that all disciples are leaders; therefore, an essential part of discipleship is equipping people to lead spiritually within their context.
Therefore, 4% of our budget is invested in leadership development for both laity and clergy, as well as funding new communities of First UMC.
Connection to the United Methodist Church
We believe in honoring the relationship between the local congregation and the broader denomination to which it belongs.
Therefore:
-11% of our budget is given to the Kentucky Annual Conference which supports connectional ministries and operations within our state.
-Our staff, clergy, and laity attend a yearly gathering of the UMC in Kentucky for the purpose of fellowship, worship, and work.
-Our staff, clergy, and laity offer their time and talent by serving on district and conference teams and committees.
-Our clergy maintain good standing with the Kentucky Annual Conference through required training and continued education hours.
-11% of our budget is given to the Kentucky Annual Conference which supports connectional ministries and operations within our state.
-Our staff, clergy, and laity attend a yearly gathering of the UMC in Kentucky for the purpose of fellowship, worship, and work.
-Our staff, clergy, and laity offer their time and talent by serving on district and conference teams and committees.
-Our clergy maintain good standing with the Kentucky Annual Conference through required training and continued education hours.
Contextual & Collaborative Ministry
We believe that ministry is most effective when it is both contextual—adapting to the social, cultural, and historical realities of a community—and collaborative—rooted in a shared vision, mission, and resources.
Therefore, we:
-Operate as one church with multiple expressions, united by a shared mission: to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
-Share values, ministry strategies, administrative leadership, and Wesleyan theology while embracing unique, contextual approaches to worship, discipleship, and outreach.
-Operate as one church with multiple expressions, united by a shared mission: to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
-Share values, ministry strategies, administrative leadership, and Wesleyan theology while embracing unique, contextual approaches to worship, discipleship, and outreach.
Deep Theological Reflection
We believe that the Church’s ongoing task is to discern theological essentials, seek unity, and bear one another’s burdens. As a congregation, we commit to clarifying our theological convictions, engaging with diverse theological perspectives, and cultivating a theological vision that shapes how we love God and our neighbor.
Therefore, First UMC maintains a theological identity statement. It is a labor of love from the pastoral staff, edited by the Vision Team and Administrative Council, and adopted by the Administrative Council. It is not perfect. It is not Scripture. It is not the UMC Book of Discipline. Rather, it is an internal document of First UMC meant to identify who we are and where we are going.
Personal Devotion
We believe that disciples grow in Christlikeness through participation in the spiritual disciplines of prayer, scripture reading, meditation, and fasting.
Therefore, our clergy regularly participate in the classic spiritual disciplines listed above out of love for Christ and a desire to grow in Christ’s likeness.
Our congregation members are regularly encouraged to participate in these spiritual disciplines and given resources, as well as opportunities for counsel by our pastoral staff to better integrate these practices into their lives.
Our congregation members are regularly encouraged to participate in these spiritual disciplines and given resources, as well as opportunities for counsel by our pastoral staff to better integrate these practices into their lives.
Self-Reflection, Accountability, and Transparency
We believe that spiritual friendship, spiritual training, and counseling are vital practices for developing Christian maturity.
Therefore, we provide opportunities for one-on-one spiritual training with our pastoral staff and resources for mental health counseling through our Licensed Pastoral Counselor, Rev. Taylor Zimmerman and the Lexington Center for Psychodynamic Therapy and Practical Theology.
Learning & Caring
We believe that biblical learning, theological reflection, and soul care happen best in small, intentional communities.
Therefore, opportunities to study the bible, reflect on the Christian faith, and discuss its lived meaning for us in small intentional groups are regular rhythms of faith at First UMC.
Worship
We believe that the body of Christ is called to gather regularly in worship.
Therefore, we offer weekly Sunday morning worship services, as well as, special worship services observing important days in the Christian liturgical calendar.
Service
We believe that the Body of Christ is called to regularly join together in works of service and mercy, beginning in our community and extending outward.
Therefore, we actively partner with organizations that are making a vital impact through financial giving as well as through volunteering.
