At the root of the United Methodist faith is a belief in God's grace- God's unmerited, unconditional love that surrounds us before we even know God and continues to move in us throughout our journey of growing to be like Christ. We seek to know God by integrating Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. We are a thinking church for thinking people, who aren't afraid to ask questions. Our faith compels us to open our hearts to God and one another, open our minds to new and deeper understandings, and open our doors to all people.
United Methodists share a common heritage with all Christians. According to our foundational statement of beliefs in The Book of Discipline, we share the following basic affirmations in common with all Christian communities:
- God: God, who is one, is revealed in three distinct persons.
- Jesus: We believe in the mystery of salvation through Jesus Christ. God became human in Jesus, whose life, death, and resurrection demonstrate God's redeeming love.
- Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is God's present activity in our midst. When we sense God's leading, God's challenges, or God's support or comfort, it's the Holy Spirit at work.
- Human Beings: Genesis 1:27 asserts that we've been made in the image of the Creator. Like God, we have the capacity to love and care, to communicate, and to create.
- The Church: The church is the body of Christ, an extension of Christ's life and ministry in the world today.
- The Bible: We believe that the Bible is the primary authority for our faith and practice.
- God's Reign: The kingdom or reign of God is both a present reality and future hope.