Our story is one of grace

Methodists share a common heritage with Christians of every time and place. We measure authenticity in doctrine by its fidelity to the apostolic faith grounded in Scripture and evidenced in the life of the church, which we soberly realize is in need of continual reformation and renewal.

We believe in the triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As sinful creatures, we have become estranged from God, wounded ourselves and one another, and wreaked havoc throughout creation. We need redemption. At the heart of the Good News of salvation is God’s incarnation in Jesus of Nazareth. Scripture witnesses to the redeeming love of God in Jesus’ life and teachings, his atoning death, his resurrection, his continued presence in history, and his promised return. Because God truly loves us in spite of our willful sin, God summons us to repentance, pardons us, receives us by the grace given to us in Jesus Christ, and gives us hope of eternal life.

John Wesley and the early Methodists were particularly concerned about inviting people to experience God’s grace for themselves and growing in their knowledge and love of God and neighbor. They emphasized disciplined Christian living – putting faith and love into action as “practical divinity,” and Wesley is often quoted as saying, “There is no holiness without social holiness.” But if Methodism could be summed up in a single word, that word would be GRACE.