What We Believe
At the core of everything we do is a set of shared values that ground us and a hope that carries us forward. This page isn't just a list of doctrines, but an invitation to understand the heartbeat of our community and what we hold dear. We believe that faith is lived out in our relationships and our service, and we welcome you to explore the convictions that shape our life together. Whether you’re a lifelong believer or just beginning to ask big questions, there’s a place for you in this story.
Salvation
God wants all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4) and has given each person the free
will to accept or reject His grace. God gave his one and only son, Jesus Christ, that
whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Salvation is by
grace, through faith, not by our own works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The Bible
Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit and serves as the primary authority in the
Christian Life (2 Timothy 3:16). It is used for guidance, teaching, and comfort in times of trouble (Psalm 119:105). We can encounter God in the Bible and encourage all
believers to read it regularly.
The Church
The Church is the body of Christ on earth (1 Corinthians 12:27). When Jesus began to call disciples, he called us to live in a common mission to all the world (Matthew 28:19- 20) and established the universal Church. To grow in faith and holiness one needs a genuine commitment to a local community of believers (Hebrews 10:25).
The Trinity
We believe in the Holy Trinity, the Godhead three-in-one. We believe the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit are distinct yet equal, existing from eternity in perfect unity (Matthew
3:16-17). We believe that Jesus, during his time on earth, was fully God and fully man
(Philippians 2:6-8). We acknowledge the sovereignty of God the Father, who
establishes the times and seasons by his own authority (Mark 24:36).
The Holy Spirit
The Spirit is our advocate, helper, and comforter (John 14:26). The Spirit helps lead us
into greater holiness in the Christian Life and empowers us to be transformed into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The "Method" of Methodism
Spiritual Transformation is not something that happens on accident. We need a plan,
accountability, and support to be conformed to the image of Christ. The Methodist
movement began when John Wesley began to teach everyday people how to grow
deeper as disciples of Jesus Christ. We believe that with the help of God, the Bible, the Church, and the Holy Spirit, anyone can become perfected in holy love.
When We Disagree
No Church or community is perfectly of one mind. At TUMC we have many viewpoints culturally, theologically, and politically. We have respect for other’s opinions, convictions, and seek to understand before we are understood. Ultimately, we seek to live out the call of the early church, to “submit one to another” (Ephesians 5:21) and to “live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18). We believe this is what Jesus commanded when he said, “love one another” (John 13:34) this is how the world will know you are my disciples.
A Bigger Purpose
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are not called to just serve those in the walls of our
church. As John Wesley said, “the world is my parish.” As Jesus gave the Great
Commission, “go and make disciples…to the ends of the earth.” We live in connection
with methodist churches around the world, are in partnership with a global network of organizations, and give a minimum 10% of our church’s budget to missions outside
TUMC along with various other missional offerings, programs, and ministries. We have created numerous local non-profit organizations that serve needs in our community, we give thousands annually to local causes, and seek to make a difference.
Baptism
We acknowledge the baptisms of other churches and therefore do not require you to be rebaptized to join our church. However, for those who are joining the church body we practice baptism in two ways:
Infant Baptism by Aspersion (Sprinkling) (Acts 2:38-39)
Teen/Adult Baptism by Immersion (Acts 8:38-39)
Communion
In the Methodist church we have an “open table”, meaning anyone can participate. You
don’t have to be a member of the congregation or have it all together to partake in the
sacraments. Through the Sacrament of Holy Communion, we invite Christ to be present with us, through the Bread and Cup. The Lord’s Table is a means of grace.