Exerting responsible self-control by engaging in personal habits conducive to bodily health refers to an act that is partly commonsense and partly the act of treating one's body like a temple of the Holy Spirit. By being made in God's image, one truly needs to honor that belief and treat one's body as the sacred thing it is. Exhibiting mental and emotional maturity means treating oneself and others with respect and sensitivity and establishing clear boundaries in social and personal interactions. Exhibiting integrity in all of one's relationships refers not only to treating people with respect, but also being honest in word and deed. Engaging in fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness are two rock bottom foundations for following the doctrines of the church and honoring oneself and one's relationship. Social responsibility refers to a commitment to an awareness of the needs and events in the surrounding world and devotion to making a difference and helping to improve people's lives. The knowledge and love of God is a boundless process that deepens each day...

The knowledge and love of God is never finite, but a life's work and one of the most rewarding endeavors imaginable.
References

Nyac.com. (n.d.). The Ministry of the Ordained. Retrieved May 18, 2012, from New York

Annual Conference: http://www.nyac.com/pages/detail/1755

Umc.org. (2011). Mission and Ministry. Retrieved May 18, 2012, from United Methodist

Church:

http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.2295473/k.7034/Mission_and_Ministry.htm

Umc.org/defining. (2011). Defining the United Methodist Diconate. Retrieved May 18, 2012,

from United Methodist Church:

http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2715325&ct=38

47767

Umc.org/history. (2011). History and Polity. Retrieved May 18, 2012, from United Methodist

Church:

http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.5327455/k.96E8/History__Polity.htm