“In essential beliefs we have unity, in non-essential beliefs we have liberty, and in all beliefs we have charity.”
- John Wesley, Founder of the Methodist movement
A Word about United Methodists. . .
The United Methodist Church (UMC) is a rich tapestry of sisters and brothers who are part of the larger family of God. We are incredibly diverse, and there are lots of us: 8.5 million United Methodists live in the U.S., and 1.5 million more worldwide, with the largest present growth in membership occurring in Africa and the Philippines.
We celebrate a shared faith in Jesus Christ and His Gospel. United Methodist doctrine is solidly rooted in the Scriptures and the ancient faith of the people of God. Our theology can be defined even more specifically as orthodox Protestant Christianity, flavored with the unique distinction we have inherited from our founder, John Wesley. Beyond this, the United Methodist Church encourages us to think for ourselves, so we don't necessarily share the same opinions about every faith issue or social concern.
As United Methodists, we celebrate our joyful obligation to bear faithful witness to Jesus Christ and the difference He makes in our lives. We recognize and worship Christ as the living reality at the center of the Church's life and mission. In order that we might faithfully carry out that mission, we seek to go ever-deeper in our relationship with Christ through thoughtful, prayerful reflection on our biblical and theological inheritance. Here at Dixboro United Methodist Church, we strive to proclaim a faithful witness to the Christ of Scripture in ways that are relevant for our own time.
Our Beliefs . . .
Please feel free to contact us with questions . . . we’d love to have a conversation with you!
The Trinity: We believe God is one living and true God, but who forever (and mysteriously) exists in perfect community as three equal and fully divine Persons: the Creator (Father), the Redeemer (Son), and the Holy Spirit. Each form of God, while having different but complementary roles in our lives, has the same nature, characteristics and being, and is worthy of equal praise and obedience. (Matthew 28:19-20; John 1:1-4; Acts 5:3-4)
God the Creator:
We believe God the Father is the creator and sustainer of the universe. God has unimaginable intelligence, infinite knowledge and God’s love is the most powerful force in the universe. Best of all, God desires to love us very personally as His children! (Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3; John 1:12-13)
God the Son
We believe Jesus Christ is uniquely God’s Son—fully God and yet fully human, sent by God, to be born of Mary. He lived a sinless life and serves as our role model for life on earth. It is because of His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead that people are forgiven of their sins, brought into relationship with God, and promised real life here and now and eternal life to come. (John 14:9-12,19; 2 Corinthians 5:19)
God the Spirit
The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their sin and their need for Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation (see below), providing the Christian with power for living, knowledge of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing God’s will. The Holy Spirit is involved in progressively transforming each follower into the image of Christ, and is actively working within the Christian community to bring about God’s plan of redemption for all people and all creation.
The Bible
We believe the sixty six books of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired and holy Word of God…God-breathed. The Bible is our textbook. It is our source of knowledge about God and Christ and contains all the truth necessary for understanding our way to salvation. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
Humanity
People are made in the spiritual image of God – we are rational and moral beings. Because we are God’s creation made in God’s image, each person possesses great self-worth. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of self-centeredness which the Bible calls “sin.” This attitude and its resultant actions separate us from God, others and ourselves. Human beings are incapable of beginning or maintaining a relationship with God through our own knowledge or effort.
Salvation
We believe that because of rebellion against God going all the way back to Adam, all people sin, and therefore, deserve separation from God. People, on our own, can never overcome sin or please God. Jesus’ death on the cross was a sacrifice on our behalf, and makes possible our forgiveness and reconciliation with God. This is not because of anything we might do for God, but out of God’s grace and love for us. To repent from (be sorry for) our sins and trust in Jesus Christ are the only requirements for us to receive God’s gift of forgiveness and eternal life. (Romans 2:22-26,5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
Eternity
People are created to exist forever. Every person will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with God is heaven.
The Christian Life
As the result of commitment to God through Jesus, we grow in faith. Our love for God and for one another becomes more complete, although we can never become sinless on this side of eternity. As we grow in our Christian faith, our desire to please God and live like Jesus also grows (Romans 8:29). Although we are not made right with God by our own goodness, “good works” are not optional for the Christian life. When we give our lives to Christ, it is expected that we will grow in loving service to a hurting world.
The Church
The Church is the Body of Christ present in the world today, comprised of all those who have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, who is the head of the Church. The Church exists to glorify God, edify believers, declare and demonstrate God’s justice and mercy for all, and share the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ with the world.
Baptism
In baptism, we acknowledge and celebrate the grace of God, freely offered to us before we are even aware of it. We confess our sin, accept membership in the family of Christ, and vow to trust in and serve Jesus Christ together. Baptism is a communal celebration; the public sign of God’s covenant with us. Through this sacrament, the congregation vows to nurture and support those being baptized—adults, youth or infants.
Because God initiates this relationship and chooses us as daughters and sons, our baptism does not depend upon our age or our response. And because God chooses us once and for all, this is an act that should not be repeated. When infants are presented for baptism, parents and the entire church pledge to surround the children with Christian care and teaching until the children profess and confirm their faith for themselves when older. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38-39, 16:15,33)
Communion
Holy Communion is usually celebrated on the first Sunday of every month at Dixboro UMC. Communion reminds us of the Last Supper Jesus shared with His disciples in the Upper Room as He prepared them for His death on the cross. The bread and fruit of the vine (we use grape juice out of respect for those in recovery) are symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, which were broken and shed for our sin. Communion is not only a time to remember Christ’s death, but it's also an anticipation of the time when we will sit at His table and enjoy fellowship with Christ and His Church in the Kingdom of Heaven. Furthermore, in Holy Communion, the Holy Spirit meets us where we are and administers grace—forgiveness, mercy, and the power to be God’s people in the world. We believe in an open table – all who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are welcome to participate in this means by which God’s grace is available to us.
If you are searching for something to believe in . . . or an extended family to belong to . . . you are welcome! Our hearts, minds, and doors are open to you.
We celebrate a shared faith in Jesus Christ and His Gospel. United Methodist doctrine is solidly rooted in the Scriptures and the ancient faith of the people of God. Our theology can be defined even more specifically as orthodox Protestant Christianity, flavored with the unique distinction we have inherited from our founder, John Wesley. Beyond this, the United Methodist Church encourages us to think for ourselves, so we don't necessarily share the same opinions about every faith issue or social concern.
As United Methodists, we celebrate our joyful obligation to bear faithful witness to Jesus Christ and the difference He makes in our lives. We recognize and worship Christ as the living reality at the center of the Church's life and mission. In order that we might faithfully carry out that mission, we seek to go ever-deeper in our relationship with Christ through thoughtful, prayerful reflection on our biblical and theological inheritance. Here at Dixboro United Methodist Church, we strive to proclaim a faithful witness to the Christ of Scripture in ways that are relevant for our own time.
Our Beliefs . . .
Please feel free to contact us with questions . . . we’d love to have a conversation with you!
The Trinity: We believe God is one living and true God, but who forever (and mysteriously) exists in perfect community as three equal and fully divine Persons: the Creator (Father), the Redeemer (Son), and the Holy Spirit. Each form of God, while having different but complementary roles in our lives, has the same nature, characteristics and being, and is worthy of equal praise and obedience. (Matthew 28:19-20; John 1:1-4; Acts 5:3-4)
God the Creator:
We believe God the Father is the creator and sustainer of the universe. God has unimaginable intelligence, infinite knowledge and God’s love is the most powerful force in the universe. Best of all, God desires to love us very personally as His children! (Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3; John 1:12-13)
God the Son
We believe Jesus Christ is uniquely God’s Son—fully God and yet fully human, sent by God, to be born of Mary. He lived a sinless life and serves as our role model for life on earth. It is because of His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead that people are forgiven of their sins, brought into relationship with God, and promised real life here and now and eternal life to come. (John 14:9-12,19; 2 Corinthians 5:19)
God the Spirit
The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their sin and their need for Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation (see below), providing the Christian with power for living, knowledge of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing God’s will. The Holy Spirit is involved in progressively transforming each follower into the image of Christ, and is actively working within the Christian community to bring about God’s plan of redemption for all people and all creation.
The Bible
We believe the sixty six books of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired and holy Word of God…God-breathed. The Bible is our textbook. It is our source of knowledge about God and Christ and contains all the truth necessary for understanding our way to salvation. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
Humanity
People are made in the spiritual image of God – we are rational and moral beings. Because we are God’s creation made in God’s image, each person possesses great self-worth. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of self-centeredness which the Bible calls “sin.” This attitude and its resultant actions separate us from God, others and ourselves. Human beings are incapable of beginning or maintaining a relationship with God through our own knowledge or effort.
Salvation
We believe that because of rebellion against God going all the way back to Adam, all people sin, and therefore, deserve separation from God. People, on our own, can never overcome sin or please God. Jesus’ death on the cross was a sacrifice on our behalf, and makes possible our forgiveness and reconciliation with God. This is not because of anything we might do for God, but out of God’s grace and love for us. To repent from (be sorry for) our sins and trust in Jesus Christ are the only requirements for us to receive God’s gift of forgiveness and eternal life. (Romans 2:22-26,5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
Eternity
People are created to exist forever. Every person will either exist eternally separated from God by sin or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with God is heaven.
The Christian Life
As the result of commitment to God through Jesus, we grow in faith. Our love for God and for one another becomes more complete, although we can never become sinless on this side of eternity. As we grow in our Christian faith, our desire to please God and live like Jesus also grows (Romans 8:29). Although we are not made right with God by our own goodness, “good works” are not optional for the Christian life. When we give our lives to Christ, it is expected that we will grow in loving service to a hurting world.
The Church
The Church is the Body of Christ present in the world today, comprised of all those who have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, who is the head of the Church. The Church exists to glorify God, edify believers, declare and demonstrate God’s justice and mercy for all, and share the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ with the world.
Baptism
In baptism, we acknowledge and celebrate the grace of God, freely offered to us before we are even aware of it. We confess our sin, accept membership in the family of Christ, and vow to trust in and serve Jesus Christ together. Baptism is a communal celebration; the public sign of God’s covenant with us. Through this sacrament, the congregation vows to nurture and support those being baptized—adults, youth or infants.
Because God initiates this relationship and chooses us as daughters and sons, our baptism does not depend upon our age or our response. And because God chooses us once and for all, this is an act that should not be repeated. When infants are presented for baptism, parents and the entire church pledge to surround the children with Christian care and teaching until the children profess and confirm their faith for themselves when older. (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:38-39, 16:15,33)
Communion
Holy Communion is usually celebrated on the first Sunday of every month at Dixboro UMC. Communion reminds us of the Last Supper Jesus shared with His disciples in the Upper Room as He prepared them for His death on the cross. The bread and fruit of the vine (we use grape juice out of respect for those in recovery) are symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, which were broken and shed for our sin. Communion is not only a time to remember Christ’s death, but it's also an anticipation of the time when we will sit at His table and enjoy fellowship with Christ and His Church in the Kingdom of Heaven. Furthermore, in Holy Communion, the Holy Spirit meets us where we are and administers grace—forgiveness, mercy, and the power to be God’s people in the world. We believe in an open table – all who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are welcome to participate in this means by which God’s grace is available to us.
- We are an open church. We believe that Christ welcomes all persons and that as His disciples; we are called to do the same.
- We are a church with a family spirit. That family spirit enables us to be there for each other in our joys and sorrows – from the cradle to the grave.
If you are searching for something to believe in . . . or an extended family to belong to . . . you are welcome! Our hearts, minds, and doors are open to you.
