History/
Background
Background
For how long have Methodists taken a stance on the social ills of the world and what social ills were addressed then?
Since the beginning of the Methodist movement almost 300 years ago, John Wesley advocated for prison reform, the abolition of slavery, ending hunger and poverty, and the elimination of child labor in the early 1730’s.
How many members were on the writing team that drafted the Social Principles?
There were 52 writing team members from Philippines Central Conference, Africa Central Conference, Congo Central Conference, West Africa Central Conference, Central and Southern Europe Central Conference, Northern Europe and Eurasia Central Conference, and all five U.S. Jurisdictions.
How are the Social Principles more succinct? (2 answers)
Public conversations with United Methodists repeatedly called for a document that addresses the concerns of United Methodists around the globe and is inclusive of all communities. How does the Political Community section address this?
In the Political Community section, new language on extrajudicial killings was added because it speaks to contexts where political acts are practiced by governments, including but not limited to the Philippines. The writing team also added a new section called Colonialism, Neocolonialism and their Consequences based on conversations with Africa and the Philippines.
When and how were positions addressing social ills officially part of the church’s creed?
In 1908, Methodists enshrined the Wesleyan commitment to social holiness, forthright moral witness, and ethical action by adopting the church’s first Social Creed.
How many Methodists offered feedback on preliminary drafts?
Over 4,000 United Methodists read, reviewed, and commented on multiple Revised Social Principles drafts. The team received over 2,500 online responses, and over 2,000 people participated in the public conversations convened across the global connection in an eight-year span.
The revised Social Principles strive to align better with Scripture. Give an example.
“Sabbath and Renewal Time” emphasizes how God rested on the seventh day of Creation as the foundation for the sabbath and a gift for all people.
Public conversations with United Methodists repeatedly called for a document that addresses the concerns of United Methodists around the globe and is inclusive of all communities. How does the Community of Creation section address this?
In the Community of Creation section, the writing and editorial teams added language about indigenous peoples in the sections Environmental Racism, Food Justice, and Affirming Science and Traditional Wisdom.
When was the first United Methodist Social Principles adopted?
The first Social Principles document was adopted by The General Conference 1972.
Who approved the final draft before it was submitted to General Conference for adoption?
The Board of the General Board of Church and Society approved the final draft before it was submitted to General Conference for adoption.
How is the Preamble of the new Social Principles more theologically grounded?
The new Preamble more clearly connects the Social Principles to the denomination’s Doctrinal Heritage, including John Wesley’s General Rules of “Do no harm, do good, and follow the ordinances of God.”
Public conversations with United Methodists repeatedly called for a document that addresses the concerns of United Methodists around the globe and is inclusive of all communities. How does the Economic Community section address this?
In the Economic Community section, feedback from communities on the African continent, the Philippines and Eurasia urged adding new language in Poverty and Income Inequality that rejected the prosperity gospel teaching that the accumulation of wealth was a sign of God’s favor.
How many times have the Social Principleas been revised?
The Social Principles have been amended by The General Conferences in the following years: 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016. (10 times)
When did the Social Principles go into effect?
Legislation adopted by the General Conference does not go into effect until the beginning of the followingyear. So, for the 2020 postponed General Conference that took place in 2024, all legislation including the adopted Revised Social Principles in effect as of January 1, 2025.
All sections of the Revised Social Principles passed on consent calendar, except for the Social Community, which had one amendment to the sub-paragraph on “marriage” on the plenary floor. What does this sub-paragraph now read?
“Within the church, we affirm marriage as a sacred lifelong covenant that brings two people of faith, an adult man and woman of consenting age, or two adult persons of consenting age into union with one another.”
Public conversations with United Methodists repeatedly called for a document that addresses the concerns of United Methodists around the globe and is inclusive of all communities. How does the Social Community section address this?
In the Social Community section, language was included on inheritance rights and widows as African United Methodists expressed concern about denying inheritance rights for vulnerable women, children, and grandchildren upon the death of the husband.