The Mission, The Purpose and The Process

St. John’s United Methodist is a historic midtown church that welcomes everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, disability, or sojourn on the way to recovery and wholeness.  We are a diverse community whose discipleship to Jesus Christ is best illustrated through our deep commitment to servant ministry.  If you are seeking a church home, we pray that you will contact or visit us. Welcome Home!

The mission of St. John’s is not unique among churches:  we are charged to form disciples of Jesus Christ.  We form disciples through worship, Bible study, adult and children’s education, various fellowship opportunities, and service to the Memphis community and beyond.  The goal is for each of us to grow together in the mind of Christ, that is, to see the world and others through Jesus’ eyes.

The purpose of our life together is a direct extension of the mission.  We form disciples of Jesus Christ for the purpose of transforming the world.  The world, though broken, is still a beautiful place. God calls faith communities into place to witness to that beauty as the means to healing the world.  Transformation out of brokenness and into health and wholeness is the ultimate purpose of our work together.

The process for discipleship formation and the work of transformation is grounded in thought and action.  United Methodism’s founder, John Wesley, often observed, “The Gospel of Christ knows no religion but social, no holiness but social holiness.”  He was also fond of saying out of concern for a brand of religion suspicious of thought, “Let the two so long disjoined be reunited: reason and vital piety!” You will find in St. John’s a church eager to engage the mind as well as the heart, soul and spirit in a life of active discipleship that finds expression in transformation and servant ministry.  

Discipleship, transformation, healing, engaged faith practice, servant ministry….a community of faith open to someone just like you!