©2010 by Morehouse education resources • all rights reserved • www.
livingthegoodnews.
coM • 1-800-242-1918
Winter A • 2010-2011
United Methodists take seriously their responsibility to
serve the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, those
who mourn,...
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©2010 by Morehouse education resources • all rights reserved • www.
livingthegoodnews.
coM • 1-800-242-1918
Winter A • 2010-2011
United Methodists take seriously their responsibility to
serve the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, those
who mourn, those who are persecuted, those who hunger
for righteousness, the peacemakers.
These, of course, are
the very groups Jesus calls “blessed,” in the beatitudes
(Matthew 5:1-12).
Ever since John Wesley first exhorted followers to practice
both personal and social piety, Methodists––as individuals
and as a denomination––have been involving themselves
in efforts to bring about peace and social justice.
This
fundamental tenet of Methodism is spelled out explicitly
in the “Social Principles,” a statement found in the Book
of Discipline that guides both official church action as well
as individuals’ actions.
These principles set forth official
Methodist teaching on what constitutes just action in the
social community, the economic community,
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