Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

How we accomplish that mission is what makes Clayton First unique. We believe that the most fruitful and vital place that disciple-making occurs is right here in the local church. That’s why we strive to excel in these four areas:

Worship Services, Study Opportunities, Service Projects and Social Activities.

Worship Services

At Clayton First UMC, we are devoted to following Jesus Christ and our worship service proclaims and shares his love with the world. We believe that every person, without exception, is loved and accepted by God. Therefore, whether you’re a first-time visitor to our worship service or a long-time member, we strive to extend hospitality to all people with the hope that everyone would feel comfortable, welcome, and right at home in God’s house.  

Study Opportunities

God created us to learn and grow all the days of our lives. We are not imprinted with all we need to know about the Christian faith and life. We take seriously the task of life-long learning with many opportunities to study the bible and dive into topical material. There are classes and groups for all ages. We are always offering new programs on Sunday Mornings and Weekdays to help you grow spiritually. Talk to the pastor to get some direction as to where you may fit it.

Service Projects

The hearts of our people and the doors of our church at Clayton First UMC are always open to the community around us. We take very seriously the command to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Our fulltime mission program is called the Creative Learning Center. It’s a children’s preschool and afterschool program. We serve the people in our community through a variety of local ministries, including our Rabun Aid Program (RAP), supporting missionaries in Liberia and the many other places in the world, good Samaritan assistance, fundraisers for statewide United Methodist agencies, as well as the many local ministries such as F.A.I.T.H., the Food Bank, First Impressions Clothes Closet, or local School small groups (All Pro Dads!).

Social Opportunities

We believe that life is a journey. No matter who you are, we’re convinced that the unpredictable path through the peaks and valleys of life is always made more enjoyable by the people you travel with. That’s why we place a high value on relationships at Clayton First UMC. Because we believe that the church is more than just a gathering of individuals; it’s a community of faith. Whether it’s in a Sunday School class, a Wednesday Night Supper, a small group study, or working side-by-side on a church-wide mission project, we’ve found that Social activities strengthen the ties that bind us together.

Other Basic Beliefs and Practices

We are a liturgical Church, which means we follow the historical Christian calendar through the year and celebrate holidays that teach us important spiritual messages.

We are a connectional Church, which means we are connected to the United Methodist Churches found throughout the world. Our by-laws are found in our Book of Discipline.

We believe in the historical beliefs of the Christian faith such as the triune God, free will, salvation through Jesus Christ, the essential connection between faith and good works.

We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God. We develop theological principles by interpreting scripture with what we call the Wesleyan Quadrilateral: Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and personal Experience all work together to guide our thinking.

Other Details on United Methodist Theological Emphases can be found here.