The Social Creed originated to express Methodism's outrage over the miserable lives of the millions of workers in factories, mines, mills, tenements and company towns. It was adopted by the Methodist Episcopal Church, the first denomination in Christendom to adopt an official Social Creed. As a part of United Methodist social principles, United Methodist congregations are encouraged to regularly reflect upon the creed and use it in worship services. It has been altered through the years, and still appears in The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, following the Social Principles section.
1908 Methodist Social Creed
The Methodist Episcopal Church states:
When the Federal Council of Churches adopted the social creed in December 1908, they added the following phrase at the end:
See also
- Catholic social teaching
- Evangelical left
- General Board of Church and Society
- Sermon on the Mount
- Social Gospel
- Social justice
- The Upper Room (United Methodist Church)