The United Methodist Church's members share beliefs with other Christian groups, including faith in God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
WE BELIEVE IN THE LIVING GOD. Christianity is not merely a set of doctrines, a list of do's and don'ts, or even profound emotions. The faith is first a vital relationship with God through Christ made real in us by the Holy Spirit. This relationship of love transforms us and make us know that we are worth something.
WE BELIEVE IN GOD'S LOVE. First as a gift that is free rather than a wage that is earned by being good;" then as a demand to respond to God's love with love toward God and everyone else; and finally as a power to become more like Jesus.
WE BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR AND LORD. Christ not only saves us from anything that would enslave or destroy our inmost selves, he is also our "boss," the one we report to and the one we want to please.
WE BELIEVE IN A BALANCE OF HEART AND HEAD. The love of God does touch us deeply and move us emotionally. At the same time, we do not accept everything that "feels" right, nor are we asked to believe in nonsense. God gave us a heart and brains, We strive to use both.
WE BELIEVE IN THE BIBLE AS THE GUIDE AND "MEASUREMENT" OF OUR BELIEFS AND ACTIONS. We have different ideas about how the Scriptures are divinely inspired. But whatever we believe, we are not satisfied until the Bible connects with THE Word of God -- Jesus Christ. We have found that theories do not save, Christ does.
WE BELIEVE IN CERTAIN MEANS OF GRACE. That is, we find that God continually uses some familiar ways to give us gifts of the Spirit: such as Holy Communion, Baptism, prayer, reading the Bible, fellowship and the acts of service. Yes, God is in everything, but we are more likely to encounter God when we are praying (for instance) than when we are not.
WE BELIEVE IN TRADITION. The Church has learned deep truths over the centuries and we receive these lessons gratefully. Meanwhile, we are called to interpret the "old story" in new ways for today (just as our grandparents did in their day).
WE BELIEVE IN DISCIPLINED LIVING. We "press on" to ever more faithful and courageous lives. This does not happen if we pay attention to God only when the whim hits us. If we fail to be committed, we remain shallow in our personal lives and fearful in our public witness."
All Christians are accepted and welcome at the communion table, whether members of this Church or not, kids or adults.