Our Beliefs

THE TRINITY

The mystery of our faith begins with the Trinity – the three distinct and divine persons of God.

God, the Father and Creator. 

“In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth.”– Genesis 1:1 ESV  
Everything was made by God and for His glory. He is eternal, infinite, all-knowing, all-present, all-powerful, unchanging, holy, righteous, perfect and full of grace. His love endures forever. 

Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6 ESV
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified on Calvary for our sins, and bodily rose from the dead; and that he has been exalted to the throne of God where he is the only mediator between God and man. He alone is Lord and Savior. We believe that through his death, burial and resurrection we have personal salvation and power for victorious living.

The Holy Spirit, God’s power and presence. 

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” – John 14:26 ESV 
Though the Holy Spirit was active during the creation of Earth; after Pentecost,  the Holy Spirit now lives within us – teaching, encouraging, counseling, convicting and guiding us toward our need of Jesus and His salvation. The Holy Spirit is received by believers as they trust Jesus Christ for salvation. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to be witnesses for Jesus Christ and equips believers with gifts for ministry. 

THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE

Though the Bible was written by humans, it was inspired by God…making it the foundation of our faith. We always begin with “What does the Word of God say?” and dedicate our lives to learning Scripture and teaching it to others. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, said he “was a man of one book – the Bible.” We believe the same, too.

THE POWER OF PRAYER

We believe God hears and answers prayer, making it an essential part of our intimate relationship with God. Not only is prayer a way to communicate our hearts’ desires and aches, it is a time to glorify God and listen for His wisdom and guidance, so “Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.” 

SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE

Did you know God created us (YOU!) in His image and for His glory? When sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, we were separated from God and eternity with Him. However, faith in Jesus Christ allows us to reunite with God once again, gives us freedom from sin’s power and transforms our lives. Salvation cannot be earned. There is no behavior, no matter how good or righteous, by which we can gain salvation. Rather, it is a gift of God’s grace to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. We can refuse His grace; however, this is a refusal to share in His glory forever and ever. The eternal life God offers begins here and now.

FAITH AND GOOD WORKS 

As Methodists, we also believe faith and good works belong together. Since God gives the ultimate gift of eternal life through a relationship with Him, we in return dedicate our lives back to Him through lifelong service. Our passionate commitment to helping others follow Jesus is linked to both our love of God and our neighbors.

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” – John Wesley

BAPTISM

Through the sacrament of Baptism we are united in Christ’s death in repentance of our sins; raised to new life in Him through the power of the resurrection; incorporated into the Body of Christ; and empowered through the work of the Holy Spirit to go on to perfection. Baptism is God’s gracious gift to us, flowing from the once for all work of Christ Jesus, and our pledge to follow as His disciples. Holy Baptism may be performed by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. The outward and visible sign of Holy Baptism is water. Candidates are baptized “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

HOLY COMMUNION

Through the sacrament of Holy Communion we are invited into fellowship with Christ Jesus who is spiritually present in the whole of the Sacrament; we participate in the communion of saints with the Church universal; and we are given a foretaste of God’s eternal banquet, the marriage supper of the Lamb. The Sacrament may be offered to all who repent of sin and desire to draw near to God and lead a life of obedience to Christ.

MARRIAGE

We believe God created marriage to be a covenant made between a man and a woman that makes them one.

Read more from our Foundational Documents for Our Doctrinal Standards