What We Believe
Our Heritage with All Christians
We believe that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God who
1. Creates, rules, and loves the universe;
a. was Incarnate in Jesus Christ, as both human and divine, and through Jesus God reconciles us to God and gives us abundant life and forgiveness of sins as a free gift.
b. Is present with us in the Holy Spirit as One who convicts, guides, comforts, and empowers us in our walk with Christ.
2. We believe that humans who are made in God's image can choose to accept or reject God's love.
3. We believe that the church is the body of Christ called to be an extension of his work and a sign and instrument of Christ's victory over sin and death.
4. We believe that the Bible is the word of God with the primary authority of our faith and practice.
5. We believe that wherever God's will is done the kingdom or reign of God is present and we look toward the coming of the kingdom in its fullness.
6. We recognize two sacraments with many other Protestants: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
a. Baptism is for persons of any age for it points to the love of God for all and it is the primary source of our identity as beloved children of God.
b. The Lord's Supper is a holy meal of bread and wine that is given the same power as the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
We practice 'open Communion' welcoming all who love Jesus Christ, repent of their sin, and seek to live in peace with one another.
Our Wesleyan Theological Heritage
1. We believe that grace is central for understanding God. Grace is defined as "God's free and undeserved mercy" and God's presence and power to create, forgive, reconcile, and transform persons and the entire creation. It is free because it is God's gift to us and it is mercy because no matter what occurs God loves us. This grace is threefold . . .
a. Prevenient or 'preventing' grace: grace that goes before and prevents anyone from drifting too far from God;
b. Justifying, or 'saving' or pardoning grace: grace that forgives and sets us right with God. This motivates conversion, or turning more toward God, which can happen instantaneously and repeatedly;
c. Sanctifying, or perfecting, grace that empowers growing or maturing to become more like Jesus Christ.
2. We believe that faith, or trust in God, and good works belong together so we offer our lives back to God through the restoration of the divine image in us and service on behalf of God's mission.
3. We believe that one cannot be a solitary Christian for we gow in faith through our participation in the church community.