Paradise Valley United Methodist Church

Overview

The Paradise Valley United Methodist Church is a local congregation of the United Methodist Church in the United States. As part of the global United Methodist movement, it shares the denomination's mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Structure

Like all United Methodist churches, Paradise Valley UMC is part of a hierarchical structure within the larger denomination. Locally, it functions as a Charge Conference, where members gather annually to organize and guide the church's mission. The church is connected to a wider regional network of churches through its district and annual conference, which are part of a larger jurisdiction in the United States.

Beliefs and Practices

As a United Methodist congregation, Paradise Valley UMC adheres to the core beliefs and practices of the denomination. These include:

• Faith in Christ: Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
• Biblical Authority: The Bible is considered the primary authority for Christian life, interpreted through reason, tradition, and experience.
• Grace and Holiness: Emphasis on living a life of grace, striving for personal and social holiness.
• Social Justice: Active engagement in combating social evils like racism, inequality, and injustice.

Community Involvement

Paradise Valley UMC likely engages in various local and global missions, reflecting the United Methodist emphasis on service, charity, and community development. This includes support for social causes, disaster relief, and advocacy for justice issues.

History and Founding

While specific details about the founding and history of Paradise Valley UMC are not widely documented, it aligns with the broader narrative of Methodism in the United States. The United Methodist Church itself was formed in 1968 through the merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, tracing its spiritual roots back to John and Charles Wesley in England.

Operational Framework

The church operates under the denomination's guiding documents, including The Book of Discipline, which outlines church law and practices adopted by the General Conference, the supreme legislative body of the UMC. The church also adheres to the Social Principles, which guide the denomination's stance on social and moral issues.

[1] https://matthewsumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Introduction-to-The-UMC-copy-from-NBUMC.pdf [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Methodist_Church [3] https://pittmanpark.org/news/the-structure-of-the-united-methodist-church/ [4] https://www.umcjustice.org/who-we-are/the-united-methodist-church [5] https://sacjumc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2019-06_umc-structure_by-ryland.pdf