What We Believe
About God
God is the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of the Universe. God has eternally existed, expressed in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The three are at once co-equal and yet one God.
About Humanity
We are made in the image of God, to be like him in character. We are the supreme objects of God's creation. Although we have tremendous potential for good, everyone is marred by an attitude of rebellion toward God called sin. Sin separates people from God and from one another. Humanity is intrinsically interconnected, which is to say that what one person does may well affect all others.
About Eternity
God's majesty and mystery hold the keys to eternity and the "end times." Every person has the opportunity to enjoy the blessings of God for eternity through forgiveness and salvation--not earned on our own merits, but received as a gift from God.
About Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, co-equal with the Father, both human and divine. Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead, demonstrating God's power over both sin and death. He ascended to Heaven where he is the mediator between God and people. He will come to reign in the Kingdom of God.
About Salvation
Salvation is a gift from God to all people. Men and women can never make up for their sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's propitiatory gift, bringing creation into right relationship with God, can a person be saved from sin's penalty. When God has begun a saving work in the heart of any person, assurance can be received that he will continue his saving work until the day of its full consummation.
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. Spirit is present in the world, adjuring people to follow Jesus' Way. The Holy Spirit provides the Christian with power for righteous living, understanding spiritual truth and guidance in doing what is right.
About the Bible
The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is God's Word to creation. Human authors, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, wrote it. The Holy Scriptures are inspired by God, and provide the unique and fundamental authority on matters of faith and practice.
About Faith and Practice
Scripture provides the primary resource and authority in all matters of faith and practice. United Methodists recognize the value of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral* (scripture, tradition, reason and experience) in interpreting and applying Christian revelation to our daily lives. Finally, each believer is to be led in those areas by the Lord, to whom he or she alone is ultimately responsible.
We believe this Statement of Faith to be an accurate summary of the essence of our Christian revelation. It is not meant to be exhaustive but instructional. Believing members are urged to refrain from advocating teachings and practices, evident here and not included in this Statement of Faith, in such a way as to cause dissension.
(*See also: The United Methodist Book of Disciplines Articles of Religion & Confessions of Faith)