This is a defining moment in the life of First Methodist Church Shreveport. As a congregation with many expressions, we share a goal of upholding our traditional, Wesleyan heritage to share with future generations in the coming decades. Reflecting on what we believe as faithful Christ followers who we are as a church body, and how we are serving the world in central in the process of denominational affiliation.
Revisiting the Roots of Methodism
Denominational discernment has raised many questions regarding the identity, calling and mission of First Methodist Church Shreveport. In many ways, the process has stirred a new state of awakening — a collective realization of the future opportunities we have for ministry as Christians, as Methodists and as a church in the 21st century.
What Makes us Methodist?
What’s in a name? Our names convey not only a sense of identity, but of heritage and distinctiveness. As a community member of First Methodist Church Shreveport, you have likely spoken and written our church’s name countless times. But I wonder how many of us have paused to reflect on what it means to be a Methodist, how that name defines our church and why it even matters.
As traditionalists look to other conservative expressions of Methodism, there is a desire to retain the classic Wesleyan model of congregational connectionalism — that is, moving together in the direction of growth and renewal not as individual churches, but as a network of churches that are theologically and socially aligned.
(GMC Presentation & GMC Transitional Book of Discipline)