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What is a United Methodist?
United Methodists hold to the historic doctrines of the Christian faith. (See below)
We are evangelical, but moderates rather than fundamentalists. We value the intellect and modern science, while at the same time looking to the Bible as the authoritative guide for faith and practice.
Methodists have a passionate faith with strong convictions, but we also recognize that the world is not always black and white. We are willing to ask questions, to wrestle with difficult issues, and to do so with grace and compassion.
Methodists have been known for our emphasis on a personal faith, lived out in concrete ways in the world. We have historically valued well-informed and passionate preaching, worship that was lively, and small groups where people could grow in faith.
Methodists have open hearts, and open minds--and welcome anyone interested in learning more about the Christian faith.
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United Methodists are the second largest Protestant denomination in America. We are the home to both President Bush and Senator Dole, as well as President Clinton’s family when he was in the White House.
Methodists have played a significant role in shaping our nation and the Southern California area. Pacific Palisades was started by Methodists as a place of summer retreat, spirituality and inspiration. The Methodist Hosptial in Arcadia ws started by Methodists. USC was also begun as a private religious college by Methodists.
Over the years, our area has seen settlement houses, homes for orphans, community centers, medical clinics, food pantries, soup kitchens, camps and many other kinds of outreach into the needs of the community initiated and supported by the Methodist church.
If you would like to know more about what it means to follow Christ, please call 661-942-0419 and ask to speak to one of our pastors or e-mail us.
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We Believe:
1. God created humanity to live in covenant with God.
2. However, we, as sinful creatures, (people who choose to go their own way,) have broken that covenant and need redemption, a way to repair that broken relationship.
3. Yet God truly loves us, God acted through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to bring us salvation and the hope of eternal life.
4. God’s love comes alive in us by the work of the Holy Spirit. The gift of the Spirit works in both our personal experience and in the common life of the church.
5. Holy Scripture is inspired by God and contains what we need to understand and love God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in order to receive the offer of a whole and restored relationship with God (salvation).
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6. In justification (restoration of our relationship with God) we are given a gift, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, to repair and renew our connection and live a new life the way God intended us to live.
7. In the general ministry that all Christians are called to do God's will in mission and service where ever they are.
8. That the reign of God is both a present and future reality. This gives us hope today and a future forever.
9. That we are part of Christ’s Universal Church. We enter the church through baptism. In Holy Communion, we celebrate the presence of Christ and find strength for Christian living.
9. We believe that the church is one in Jesus Christ. We express our unity in hymns, prayers and liturgy, in the historic creeds, and in the belief in one holy, catholic (universal), and apostolic church.
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