United Methodist Church Of Westlake Village

Send us a textWhat does it mean to truly embrace diversity within Christianity? John Wesley, Methodism's founder, offered a revolutionary answer in his sermon "On the Catholic Spirit" that still challenges us today.Against the backdrop of post-Reformation religious division, Wesley chose an unexpected path. Rather than demanding theological uniformity, he found wisdom in the biblical exchange: "Is your heart right as my heart is with your heart? If it is, give me your hand." This seemingly simple invitation became the foundation for a radical understanding of Christian unity that didn't require agreement on every point of doctrine.Wesley's approach wasn't about watering down conviction but recognizing that God intentionally creates diversity within the body of Christ. Drawing from Ephesians 4, we see that different gifts—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers—aren't accidental but divinely ordained for the growth and maturity of the whole church. Our di