Methodism
All need to be saved.
All may be saved.
All may know themselves saved.
All may be saved to the uttermost.
Methodists have always been clear that no-one is beyond the reach of God's love. Salvation is there for everyone who turns to God, and not just for a chosen few.
Jesus preached the Gospel - the good news of the Kingdom of God. Through Jesus' death on the cross, and his resurrection, Christians believe that God has broken the power of all that is evil, in the world and in ourselves. If we accept forgiveness and liberation, and are willing to be open to the Holy Spirit, God can enable us to resist evil and to live life to the full.
Methodism is the United Kingdom's fourth largest Christian denomination, with around 330,000 members and 6,000 churches. It arose as a revival movement within the Church of England in the 18th century and was organised by the Church of England clergyman, John Wesley. As Wesley and his colleagues preached around the country they formed local societies, that were given national organisation through Wesley's leadership and conferences of preachers.
It is a strong feature of Methodism that lay people play a major part in the running of the Church. Local lay people called 'stewards' take responsibility for the fabric of church buildings and manses and for the handling of money. They share with ordained ministers the role of setting direction for the churches in a particular area or 'circuit'. Worship each week is not always led by an ordained minister, but often by a Local Preacher - a lay person who has been trained and authorized to lead worship and preach. Every ordained minister in the Methodist Church was first a Local Preacher.
Methodists are well known as enthusiastic singers, in choirs and congregations. Singing is still an important means of learning about, sharing and celebrating our faith. The official hymnbook of the Methodist Church is Hymns and Psalms but worship in Methodist churches typically includes music from a wide range of sources, including contemporary songs.