Faith Church Mission
OUR MISSION
To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
THE STRATEGIES FOR THE MISSION
Caring – connecting and caring people in love with Jesus
Growing – learning to grow and to become disciples of Jesus
Serving – reaching out to people in the community and the world in Jesus’ name
CARING COMMUNITY
The Christian life is lived out with people. Trusting relationships allow us to know one another deeply and to be known. Faith Church has a strong interest in the well-being of our members and their extended families, friends and neighbors. This interest is carried out in a variety of services that are provided by groups and volunteers in the congregation. Start typing.
GROWING COMMUNITY
We come together to worship – celebrating God’s goodness and faithfulness in our lives. We need encouragement, teaching, the opportunity to give of our resources and a sense of God’s dynamic presence in our midst as we come before God. What we receive from God is always matured, tested and developed in the context of people, like you, in God’s Church.
SERVING COMMUNITY
Each of us can serve in ministry to accomplish Christ’s mission by following Jesus’ example. At Faith Church, we place a high value on using our unique, God-given gifts to serve others. Meaningful service allows us to make the most of our time. Faith Church supports several ministries in community and missionaries around the world.
THE BIBLE
We believe the scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments are the inspired word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) We believe the Holy Spirit guided and directed human authors to create God’s written means of communication with us, which reveals God’s love and plan to be in relationship with all of humanity. The Bible is God’s blueprint for living the Christian life and is our source for faith and practice.
GOD
We believe in one God, who exists in three distinct persons…the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each person of the Trinity is equally the one God in being, essence, character, power and eternal qualities.
JESUS
We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior who came to earth in the flesh to reveal God to humans and to restore all of fallen humanity to a personal relationship with God. We believe Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary; he is both fully human and fully God. Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life and embodies the truth about God and the Truth of God. Jesus willingly died on the cross to demonstrate God’s love for sinful humans and to provide salvation for all humanity. His sacrifice in our place provides all humans the means to be reconnected with their loving Creator. We believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Jesus ascended into heaven, where he rules as our Lord (absolute authority) and advocate. Jesus will return to earth in the future to establish God’s perfect peace and justice for all time.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the divine personhood of the Holy Spirit as an equal part of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is God present, living within each follower to empower a life that reflects the lifestyle, values and character of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the change agent in the lives of Jesus’ followers, illuminating God’s word for understanding and application in the life of each. The Spirit is involved in progressively transforming each follower into the image of Christ, and is actively working within the Christian community and world at large to bring about God’s plan of redemption for all people and all creation.
THE CHURCH
We believe the Church (also known as the Body or Bride of Christ in scripture) is a spiritual organism made up of all those in a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, who are called to live in fellowship and worship together. We believe in the priesthood of all believers: everyone in relationship with Christ is gifted, empowered and called to serve within God’s mission to reach the world. The Church is God’s vehicle on earth to bring about God’s justice and mercy for all people.
SACRAMENTS
With many other Protestants, we recognize the two sacraments in which Christ himself participated: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
BAPTISM
Through baptism we are joined with the church and with Christians everywhere. Baptism is a symbol of new life and a sign of God’s love and forgiveness of our sins. Persons of any age can be baptized. We baptize by sprinkling, immersion or pouring. A person receives the sacrament of baptism only once in his or her life. Learn more (UMC site: http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/basics-of-our-faith)
THE LORD’S SUPPER (COMMUNION, EUCHARIST)
The Lord’s Supper is a holy meal of bread and wine that symbolizes the body and blood of Christ. The Lord’s Supper recalls the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and celebrates the unity of all the members of God’s family. By sharing this meal, we give thanks for Christ’s sacrifice and are nourished and empowered to go into the world in mission and ministry. We practice “open Communion,” welcoming all who love Christ, repent of their sin, and seek to live in peace with one another.