What's different or distinctive about being a United Methodist?
There are no exclusively United Methodist doctrines. Although we have distinctive emphases, we have no affirmations that are not also believed by other Christian groups. United Methodists have traditionally proclaimed the following emphases:

*the availability of God's grace for all;

*the essential unity of faith and works;

*salvation as personal and social;

*the church as a community of Christ's disciples who seek to share in God's mission;

the inseparability of knowledge (intellect) and vital piety (devotion to religious duties and practices) as components of faith;

*seeking holiness of heart and life both as individuals and in our society;

*a cooperative ministry and mission in the world, often referred to as "connectionalism";

*the link between Christian doctrine and Christian living.

What is required of me to be a United Methodist?
Baptism ushers you into the Christian church universal, the family of Christ. If you have not been baptized you will be asked to repent of your sins and profess your faith in God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Christian faith as contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. You will also be asked to promise to "keep God's holy will and commandments and walk in the same all the days of your life as a faithful member of Christ's holy church." 
          -Questions & Answers about the United Methodist Church by Thomas S. McAnally