What Values and Beliefs Does Marshall First UMC Emphasize?

Updated

Marshall First United Methodist Church (Marshall FUMC) at 702 Plum Street in Marshall, Illinois, describes its identity through five stated values: Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, the Bible as guidance for daily life, the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ, Christian fellowship, and stewardship of the world. The church also states that it affirms all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God and stands against all forms of racism. These values are presented on the church's website as the framework for its worship and community life.

The Five Values the Church Names

The church's "Our Values" section lists these commitments in its own words:

Value What the church says it means
Jesus Christ Values Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God, as Savior and Lord
The Bible Values the written word of God, which reveals God's redemptive plan, guides daily life, and sets hopes toward a victorious future
Mission Values the God-given mission to "make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world"
Christian fellowship Values life lived in community, with all of its joys and sorrows
The world Values the world as something to steward well, seeking to be good stewards of all God has entrusted to the church

A sixth statement follows: the church affirms all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God and stands against all forms of racism.

What Each Value Signals to a Visitor

  • Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord places the church within historic Christian belief and, specifically, the United Methodist tradition. The church describes itself as "United Methodist Christians" who value Jesus Christ as "the Living Word of God."
  • The Bible is framed as both revealing God's plan and guiding everyday life. A visitor can expect Scripture to be treated as central rather than incidental.
  • The mission to make disciples is the standard United Methodist mission statement. It signals an outward, disciple-forming orientation rather than a purely inward social club.
  • Christian fellowship is described in unusually candid terms—community that includes "joys and sorrows"—suggesting an expectation of shared life rather than attendance only.
  • Stewardship of the world connects faith to care for what the church sees as God's entrusted creation.
  • Affirmation of all persons and opposition to racism is an explicit welcome statement. People who want to know whether they will be received as equals will find a direct answer here.

How These Values Show Up in Practice

The website ties its values directly to worship. It describes worship as "our response to our loving God" and says everything the church does is "born out of a living, loving relationship with the Triune God." Services are described as designed to give worshipers "a meaningful space" to connect with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This matters for someone evaluating fit: the values are not only doctrinal statements but are presented as the reason the church gathers. If you are looking for a congregation that frames worship as a response to God and community as a setting for both joy and sorrow, the stated values align with that expectation.

Who These Values May Suit—and What They Don't Tell You

These values may fit you if you are looking for a mainline United Methodist congregation that holds traditional Christian commitments (Christ as Savior, Scripture as guide) alongside an explicit welcome for all people and a stated stand against racism.

They do not, on their own, answer every question. The website does not detail specific positions on communion practice, baptism, membership requirements, or social issues beyond the anti-racism statement. For those specifics, the practical next step is to contact the church directly or attend a service—the site notes in-person worship at 9 a.m. and a simultaneous Facebook livestream at 9 a.m., so you can observe before visiting.

A Reasonable Way to Decide

If the values above match what you are seeking, the church provides three low-commitment ways to learn more: read about its staff, clergy, history, and ministries; check the newsletter and calendar for upcoming events; or simply attend the 9 a.m. Sunday service in person or online. The values page is best read as the church's self-description—use it to decide whether to explore further, then verify the details that matter most to you directly with the congregation.