Our Vision
Core Value: God call us to be the beloved community to make disciples and transform the world.
Core Purpose: To live genuine and blessed relationships with Christ and each other.
Simply Put…to be the family of God
University United Methodist Church of Redlands is a practical church. We believe deeply that God is doing something and that “something” happens through us when we come together. That something may be teaching our children about Jesus Christ, praying with and for others, building homes in Mexico, leading worship, or volunteering to feed hungry people.
This is a church of doing, not just believing. Our vision is all about connecting this world with the saving acts of love in Jesus Christ. We are called to equip and send disciples out to transform the world in Jesus’ Name.
Our Beliefs
We are a United Methodist Church. Often we speak about the church as simply “University Church” but we honor our heritage as United Methodists. Methodists began somewhat as an accident. Our founder, John Wesley, who was an Anglican Priest (Church of England), sparked a movement over two hundred years ago. That movement quickly grew into its own “brand” of followers of Jesus.
Methodists, since the days of John Wesley, have been concerned with personal and social holiness. We believe in a God who speaks in scripture, tradition, experience and reason. We believe that living in a life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ is the most effective way for us to connect with God and experience salvation. We believe that all Christian faith has to be practiced. There can be no separation of what we believe (doctrine) from what we do (practice). We believe that it is our mission to bring God’s grace to lives. We trust that God has called us to bear witness to the gospel by sharing the blessing of Christ’s healing grace. We believe that the Holy Spirit affirms in us the responsibility to combat oppressive systems and illnesses which harms lives.
Our Methods
We are called “Methodists” because there is a method to how we do church. We do “church” in a very focused way which leads people to a life-transforming experience with Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Our fellowship gatherings, worship and other activities are geared to invite and welcome people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. We do this because we trust that such a relationship is our highest calling.
Paths of Discipleship
At UUMCR we practice 5 paths of discipleship. The paths include -
Worship: gathered as people of faith to praise, pray, and be blessed by God’s grace in sacrament and word.
Piety: personal acts of intimacy with God. This includes, but is not limited to, forms of personal prayer, retreats, reflection, meditation, fasting, centering, lectio divina, and journaling.
Study: reading scripture, learning about the power of love and grace, discerning and developing gifts and talents.
Acts of Mercy: Being doers of the Word and not hearers only. We encourage folks to actively improve the world by doing acts of mercy. Whether this is tutoring or feeding the homeless, habitat building or volunteering at a hospital, or thousands of other acts – we are called to make a difference.
Intentional Giving: We celebrate that an important discipline of discipleship is intentionally sharing a portion of that which God has given so that others may be blessed. This is not only a critical principal of spiritual formation and discipleship growth it is the source of great joy and fulfillment.
Life Groups
We use small groups to help teach, plan, practice, and follow-thru the practice of the 5 Paths of Discipleship. These small gathering in a comfortable home atmosphere reflect the early church practice of “house church.” Life Groups provide a non-threatening setting to share the progress of discipleship formation.
Each life group meets for about 60 minutes a week, usually in a home. We share our experiences of piety, a brief study, our experiences of acts of mercy, plans for intentional giving, and prayer for one another. Some groups may share in songs as well.
It has been our experience that small groups of affirming folks nurture each other in deepening relationships with the sacred and each other. It has been our experience that in small groups genuine, compassionate, and caring friendships form and mature into the beloved community. It is in these groups that we experience the blessed family of God.
Welcome (a note from Pastor Floyd)
It is with heartfelt pleasure that we welcome you home to University United Methodist Church of Redlands. We are a “Shepherd” size church family with an “everybody knows your name” atmosphere. You will not be lost here. Indeed, here you have a friend.
Although we have been in Redlands for over 100 years, our excitement about following Jesus is fresh and vibrant.
We are made up of a variety of colors, faces, backgrounds and interests. We believe our diversity gives us a distinctive strength. By grace, people here are united in our call to fulfill the vision God has given our church. We believe the Lord calls this church to be an active agent in helping folks discover and grow into the call God has for their lives. We do this through gathering people to discover the power of being the beloved community together. We encourage individuals into the person Jesus is calling them to be through intentional spiritual formation and discipleship. Intentional formation at University Church invites folks into small groups which emphasize worship, prayer, study, and participating in works of mercy.
On behalf of the people of UUMCR, welcome to the family. We are a church of concrete faith and concrete action. Here you will find people radically committed to following Jesus Christ as we seek to live out His call. Please explore our website and learn more about this dynamic community of Jesus we call University Church.
Floyd
Floyd McKeithen; Lead Pastor
