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These 25 Statements of Doctrine summarize the teaching of the Congregational Methodist Church. We invite you to read them and talk with us about faith and life in Christ.
About our denomination ↗We believe that the one God exists as three persons relating. The Father, the source of all life, shares His life, begetting the Son, and His life as the Spirit proceeds from the Father and Son. The three are united in substance, equal in the sense of being God, and are distinct in their personhood.
We believe God is a sovereign, just, holy and loving heavenly Father. It is God's nature to share Himself, and therefore exists as trinity. God shared Himself with sinful humanity when, because of His love for the world, He gave His only begotten Son. He is the source of all life, all living things are therefore responsible to Him. He is a rewarder of those who obey Him, and the Judge of those who do evil.
We believe that God revealed Himself to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. We believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, Son of God, Son of Man, fully God, fully human, dwelling among humanity through the incarnation. As the perfect man, without sin, He gave His life as the perfect sacrifice for mankind. Having offered Himself "once for all" He now exercises His High Priestly ministry by interceding on behalf of the saints, waiting for the day when He comes to earth again.
We believe that the Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity, is the giver and renewer of life. He works to convict us of sin, unrighteousness, and the judgment to come. He is the teacher of truth and calls sinners to repentance and to life in Jesus Christ. He applies the work of Christ for salvation, purifies and empowers those who believe for holy living. He is the comforter, sanctifier, encourager, the giver of gifts, and our moment-by-moment guide as we, by faith, believe.
We believe that the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments is the inspired word of God written by holy men of old as they were enabled to communicate God's truth without error. It is “God breathed,” yet God used human authors to express, through their own personalities and culture, the revelation of himself and his provision of salvation to mankind. We believe that the scripture is infallible, incapable of error, and inerrant, free from error, in its original autographs and has been passed on to the present generation without corruption of any essential doctrine. The Bible is our rule of faith and practice, and a revelation of God Himself and His will for all people. Written over 1,500 years by as many as forty authors, the scripture contains all things necessary for salvation and is authoritative in all matters of faith, doctrine, and practice.
We believe that God created all people in His image, with the ability to relate to God in freedom, as immortal, spiritual beings. The original state of humanity was one of holy love relating: God to human, human to God, human to human. After the fall, human beings became a corrupt expression of God's image and incapable of any positive move toward God, except through the work of divine or prevenient grace. Only through the justifying, regenerating, sanctifying grace of God can we be saved from the pervasive corruption of sin and be conformed to the image of God. God has, in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, placed supreme value on all people. He has revealed His interest and involvement in the life of every individual as He has "formed my inward parts; ...covered me in my mother's womb; ...saw my substance, being yet unformed" and that in His book the days of my life were written, "fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them". Since God has placed such supreme value on every person, we believe in the sanctity of life in all its stages. God’s purpose for every human being is found in the two great commandments which require us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, and our neighbor as ourselves.
We believe that God instituted marriage and the family. We further believe the Bible teaches that human sexuality is to be expressed only in a monogamous lifelong relationship between one man and one woman within the bonds of marriage. The marriage of a biological man and biological woman is a celebration of companionship, mutual enjoyment, completeness, and fruitfulness. It is a place of protection from the onslaught of the world, and a reflection of the relationship Christ has with the church being filled with intimate, sacrificial, communicating love. We further believe that any sexual relationship outside of these biblical boundaries of marriage of one man to one woman, i.e., pre-marital sex, adultery, homosexuality, transgenderism, pedophilia, polygamy, polyamory, and in addition to these the plague of pornography infecting our nation, are both sinful and harmful to the individual, to the family, and to the church and society at large. We are called to holiness. The scripture teaches that “all have sinned,” so it is with humility that the church speaks, and it is with compassion that we speak the truth of scripture so that all persons may know Christ. We further believe it is within the union of one man and one woman, that God has ordained the conception, birth and raising of children. The family home is the principal environment for the teaching of morality, of public good, and the saving power of Christ. The relationship of marriage, family, and home is to take priority over every other human relationship.
We believe that humanity's creation in the image of God included the ability to choose between right and wrong. In this way, each individual is made morally responsible for their choices. Since the fall of Adam, people are unable in their own strength to do what is right. This is due to original sin, which is not simply the following of Adam's example, but rather the corruption of the nature of each mortal and is reproduced naturally in Adam's descendants. Because of it, humans are very far gone from original righteousness, and by nature are continually inclined toward evil. They cannot of themselves even call upon God or exercise faith for salvation. But through Jesus Christ the prevenient grace of God makes possible what humans in self-effort cannot do. It is given freely to all, enabling all who will to turn to Christ to be saved.
We believe that salvation is the process by which God forgives sin, renews man to favor, enlivens a soul dead in trespasses and sin, and draws a soul toward sanctification. Full salvation indicates a full redemption from all the effects of sin. Guilt, separation from God, death, and depravity all must be dealt with in salvation. Thus, the work of Christ is sufficient for all our needs. It is an impossible thing for any human being to either earn or deserve such great salvation. It is the gift of God alone by grace through faith, and that alone. Salvation is grounded in the love of God, provided by the atoning work of Jesus Christ, and applied by the active work and presence of the Holy Spirit.
We believe that Christ's offering of himself, once and for all, through His sufferings and meritorious death on the cross, provides the perfect redemption and atonement for the sins of the whole world, both original and actual. There is no other way of salvation from sin but Christ alone. This atonement is sufficient for every individual of Adam's race (every soul may be saved; the unconditional reprobation of any soul is absolutely impossible). It is unconditionally effective in the salvation of those mentally incompetent from birth, of those converted persons who have become mentally incompetent, and of children under the age of accountability. It is effective for the salvation of those who reach the age of accountability only when they repent and exercise faith in Jesus Christ.
Mankind in his fallen state does not have the capacity to turn to God without the grace of God working first. Therefore, God has given all men a measure of prevenient Grace, the grace that goes before to awaken, convict, draw, and give us faith. We believe for men and women to appropriate what God's prevenient grace has made possible, they must voluntarily respond in repentance and faith. Repentance is prompted by the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit. It involves a willful change of mind that renounces sin and longs for righteousness, a godly sorrow for and a confession of past sins, proper restitution for wrongdoings, and a resolution to reform one's life. Repentance is the precondition for saving faith, and without it saving faith is impossible. Faith, in turn, is the only condition of salvation. It begins in the agreement of the mind and the consent of the will to the truth of the gospel, but issues in a complete reliance by the whole person in the saving ability of Jesus Christ and a complete trusting of oneself to Him as Savior and Lord. Saving faith is expressed in a public acknowledgment of His Lordship and identification with His Church.
We believe that when one repents of personal sin and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ he is, in that moment justified, regenerated, adopted into the family of God, and given the assurance of salvation through the witness of the Holy Spirit. Justification is the judicial act of God whereby a person is accounted righteous, granted full pardon of all sin, delivered from guilt, completely released from the penalty of sins committed, by the merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by faith alone, not on the basis of works. Regeneration, or the new birth, is that work of the Holy Spirit whereby, when one truly repents and believes, one's moral nature is given a distinctively spiritual life with the capacity for love and obedience. This new life is received by faith in Jesus Christ, it enables the pardoned sinner to serve God with the will and affections of the heart, and by it the saved are delivered from the power of sin which reigns over all unregenerate persons. Adoption is the act of God by which the justified and regenerated believer becomes a partaker of all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of a child of God.
Sanctification is a process beginning with initial sanctification, occurring at the new birth. It is at this time that the believer receives the Spirit and is changed. However, it is not long until a new Christian realizes that an inner battle between flesh and Spirit, or carnality and grace is happening in his soul. While the believer has been forgiven of his sins, inbred sin (carnality) still has a hold on the soul. God initiates a second stage in the sanctification process, bringing the fully committed Christian to a complete consecration. This is the crucifixion of the self-centered mind of the carnal Christian. As Wesley said, “The more dead to sin a Christian is, the more alive to God he becomes.” Thus, when a believer is fully consecrated, and trusts God for His promise of cleansing, the Holy Spirit fills the heart, cleanses from carnality and sin, and empowers for service.
We believe that we are God's workmanship and that we are created for good works. Although these good works cannot save us from our sins or from God's judgment, they are the fruit of a life of faith and follow after the new birth. They are pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and by them a living faith may be as evidently known as a tree is discerned by its fruit.
We believe that after we have experienced the new birth, it is possible to fall into sin, for in this life there is no such height or strength of holiness from which it is impossible to fall. But by the grace of God one who has fallen into sin may by true repentance and faith find forgiveness and restoration.
We believe that the most wonderful of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit is the gift of Himself. He is to be desired more than any other gift which he may impart to individual members of the Church enabling them to fulfill their purpose in the Church, bringing glory to God. The gifts are to be exercised in love and Christian unity. The gifts of the Spirit, although not always identifiable with natural abilities, function through them for the edification of the whole Church. The gift of evangelistic languages and interpretation of languages is the ability to speak in an actual language, unknown to the speaker, but known to the hearer, for the purpose of evangelism. The proof of the Spirit's filling is the fruit of the Spirit evidenced in one's daily living, holiness of heart toward both God and others, and empowered service.
We believe that the Church is composed of all those who believe in Jesus Christ, who is the founder and only Head of the Church. Founded by Christ on the day of Pentecost, it is universal, being made up of true believers of all nations, and it is holy, belonging to God. The Church includes both those believers who have gone to be with the Lord and those who remain on earth, having dedicated themselves to the work of Jesus Christ until He returns. The Church on earth is to preach the pure Word of God, properly administer the sacraments according to Christ's instructions, and live in obedience to all that Christ commands. A local church is a body of believers formally organized on gospel principles, meeting together for the purposes of evangelism, discipleship, stewardship, fellowship, and worship. God's plan for the financing of the Church and its work is the tithes and offerings of its members. Those cults, claiming to be Christian, but denying orthodox Christian doctrine, are not accepted as the Body of Christ.
We believe in the priesthood of believers. In the Old Testament, God used specific people as priests, in the New Testament, God calls all believers to service and ministry. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit every Christian not only represents God, but also, is empowered to be an instrument of His grace to the world. The dual duties of representing God to man and man to God belong to every born-again Christian. The responsibility of witnessing, the ministry of prayer, and the use of our spiritual gifts are included in the privilege of the priesthood of believers. We further believe that there is a sacred calling, initiated by God through Word and Spirit, placed upon an individual for ordained ministry in the church. All of God’s people are called to love him, serve him, and represent him to the world through Christ exalting speech, good deeds, and holy living, so, in one sense all Christians are called to ministry and may be called ministers of Christ. However, in keeping with the New Testament church we recognize that those who are called, qualified, and approved, are to be “set apart” by the laying on of hands and ordination to ministry. The Congregational Methodist Church recognizes three opportunities for ordained ministry: Local Church Deacon, ordained for ministry in a specific local church, and under the authority of the local church; Lay Minister, under the authority of the Annual Conference; and Ordained Elder, under the authorities the General and Annual Conferences. Ordained Elders are called to preach the Gospel, to administer the sacraments, to lead the church in its evangelic and missional outreach and, to provide leadership in its organization and business. The Congregational Methodist Church believes the office of elder to be a God-given calling or vocation, not a career.
We believe that growing Christians seek to evidence the Christian virtues and the fruit of the Holy Spirit in life and character as they discover, develop, and steward their spiritual gifts within the Body of Christ and as they minister in their sphere of influence. As one experiences new life in Christ, he is called to live a life that is holy and acceptable to God. This requires a daily commitment and a disciplined walk with God. The means of grace are ways in which God works invisibly in His disciples, making them ever more alive, strengthening, and confirming their faith. These are means by which, those who believe, are enabled to love the Lord their God with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their mind and with all their strength. In the Wesleyan tradition we group these means of grace into two categories: 1) Works of Piety; and 2) Works of Mercy. Works of Piety include prayer; fasting; Bible study; meditation; social and private worship; the sacraments of baptism and of the Lord's Supper; Christian community; and healthy living. Works of Mercy include doing good; visiting the sick; visiting the imprisoned; feeding, clothing and sheltering those in need; earning, saving (living a life of frugal simplicity) and giving all one can; seeking justice; and opposition to slavery in all its forms.
We believe that salvation is a relationship based on freedom. In order to love and trust Christ, we must be free to do so. This involves both a decision of faith and the working out of that decision: I was saved; I am being saved; on that great day I shall be finally saved. Wesley said that true "faith is a divine evidence and conviction, not only that 'God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself,' but that 'Christ loved me, and gave himself for me.' For 'he that believeth' with true, living faith 'has the witness in himself,' The Spirit witnesses with his spirit that he is a child of God. Because he is a son, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into his heart, crying 'Abba, Father;' giving him an assurance that he is so, and a childlike confidence in him." This assurance is grounded in a relationship marked by believing obedience and loving discipleship. The atonement provided through Christ was provided for all people, yet God calls us to turn to Him, trust Him, and walk with Him. While God always loves us, and nothing can separate us from His love, we always have the freedom to persevere or turn from right relationship with Him. The King of Heaven, though sovereign in all things, gives every human being the grace and liberty to choose or reject saving faith.
We believe that baptism and holy communion are commanded by Christ and ordained as a means of grace when received by faith. They are tokens of our profession and signs of God's gracious ministry toward us. By them, He works to make us alive, to strengthen and confirm our faith. Whether by aspersion (sprinkling), immersion (dipping), or effusion (pouring), Trinitarian baptism is a symbol of the new covenant of grace and signifies acceptance of the benefits of the atonement of Jesus Christ. By means of this sacrament, believers both declare their faith in Jesus Christ the Savior and receive from Him grace through the Holy Spirit. Since children are born into this world with natures inclined to sin, and yet the prevenient grace of God provides for their redemption during that time before the age of accountability, parents are encouraged to testify to their faith in God's provision by presenting their infant children, according to their conscience, for dedication or baptism. When any person, baptized as an infant, comes to personal faith in Christ he or she is encouraged to affirm that baptism by public testimony. Holy Communion, also known as the Lord's Supper and the Eucharist, is a sacrament of our redemption by Christ's sacrificial death for our sins and of our hope in His soon return, as well as a sign of the love Christians have for one another. When received with a proper spirit and by faith, it is a means through which God communicates grace to the communicant, Christ being present through the Spirit. All who seek Him are received at the Lord's Table and not members only.
We believe God created humans to know Him intimately. Originally, God breathed His own divine life into man. After the fall, humans were deprived of the Spirit, or life of God. Salvation is the re-breathing of that life of God into the soul of man. That is what scripture means by eternal life. Jesus said, "this is eternal life, that they may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3). Eternal life, therefore, starts now, and continues in eternity forever. Those who finally reject the offer of salvation in Christ will spend eternity separated from God and be condemned to suffer in hell for eternity.
We believe that the culmination of human history is designed by God and will occur according to His timing. We further believe the resurrected Christ will return to earth in bodily form and all the prophecies of the Old and New Testaments concerning His final and complete triumph over all evil will be made complete in Him.
We believe that according to Scripture the bodies of the just and of the unjust shall be raised to life and united with their spirits and "they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."
We believe that God is the Judge of all, and the acts of His judgment are based on His omniscience and eternal justice. All persons will meet before His throne of majesty and power, where everything will be revealed--every desire, inclination, motivation, and action-- will be examined in the light of God's perfect holiness and truth; yet for those who are in Christ, forgiveness and redemption have been provided through His atoning work, for “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7), our sins have been forgiven and the record of debt canceled through the triumph of the cross (Colossians 2:13-15), and “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). The final destiny of each person is determined by God's grace and that person's response, evidenced inevitably by their moral character which results from the individual's personal and volitional choices and not from any arbitrary decree of God. The new heaven and earth with its eternal glory and the blessedness of Christ's presence is the final home of those who choose the salvation which God provides through Jesus Christ. For those who have neglected so great a salvation it is eternal torment and complete separation from the life of God.
Questions are welcome. We would be glad to meet you and talk about what we believe.
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