Ask The UMC: Valuing Life

Jesus said, “I came so that they could have life — indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest” (John 10:10, CEB). United Methodists value human life, from pregnancy and maternal care before we are born to our closing breaths.

United Methodists worldwide seek to bring abundant life to people at every stage through the hands-on ministries we support and the advocacy we do.

This seven-part series explores the ways United Methodists value life and help others experience the abundance of life Jesus promises.

Midwife Marie Manga Dikoma uses a Pinard horn to listen to the heartbeat of Cecile Iatu's unborn baby at The United Methodist Church's Irambo Health Center in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Valuing Life, Part 1: Before we are born — Maternal and neonatal health

United Methodists and our predecessor denominations have a long history of providing care and advocacy for pregnant women and their newborn children.

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In the Social Principles, The United Methodist Church affirms the sanctity of the life of both the unborn child and the mother. Photo by Kathleen Barry, UM News.

Valuing Life, Part 2: When care cannot be sustained — Abortion and adoption

United Methodism's life-centered ethics call us to limit our approval of abortion to tragic conflicts of life with life, to do all we can to prevent unplanned pregnancy, care for all pregnant women and to support adoption.

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Estefania Regina de Oliviera Vieira visits with a young patient during a free medical clinic offered by volunteers from the Methodist Church in Brazil and the Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church in Murutinga, Brazil. 2018 photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Valuing Life, Part 3: Growing up — Child Welfare

United Methodists and our predecessor denominations, back to John Wesley himself, have a long history of hands-on support and advocacy for the welfare of children.

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Dr. Janet Purkey prepares to examine Louis Peake’s ears during the weekly free medical clinic at Magnolia Avenue United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tenn. Purkey is cofounder of the clinic and a professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Valuing Life, Part 4: Staying alive — Health care for all

United Methodists and our predecessors have consistently provided and advocated for health care, especially for those who could not easily receive it.

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Female pastors take notes during a 2018 training at the Oriental and Equator Annual Conference in Kisangani, Congo. Photo by Judith Osongo Yanga, UM News.

Valuing Life, Part 5: Feeling alive — Mental health

United Methodists seek abundant life for the whole person, physically, spiritually, and mentally.

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United Methodists opposed to the death penalty rally on Legislative Plaza in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Valuing Life, Part 6: Threats to life — Suicide, euthanasia and capital punishment

Because United Methodists value life, we reject suicide, medically assisted dying (euthanasia) and capital punishment. United Methodists seek, advocate for and offer life-giving ways in response to and instead of these threats to life.

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