Our Beliefs
Basic Christianity
As United Methodists, we believe in the historic Christian faith which is summarized in the Apostles’ Creed and other early creeds. Therefore, we share basic beliefs with most Christian denominations and communities. We believe that in Jesus Christ, God took on human flesh and lived among us. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the world can be reconciled to God.
God’s Grace
United Methodists have a unique understanding of God’s grace. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, described God’s grace in three ways: prevenient, justifying and sanctifying grace. We receive prevenient grace before we have an awareness of God. Justifying grace helps us enter into a relationship with God; Sanctifying grace gradually transforms us into the likeness of Christ.
Baptism and Holy Communion
We celebrate two sacraments in the United Methodist Church: baptism and holy communion. In baptism we profess our faith, receive God’s grace, become members of the family of Christ, and vow to serve Jesus as our Lord. In holy communion we retell the story of Christ’s life, death and resurrection, and receive the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection by receiving the bread and the cup.
Connectional in Nature
Mt Zion is part of a global, connectional church with shared beliefs and mission. An historic core value of the United Methodist Church, we are connectional through our clergy appointment system of itinerancy, the outreach we do through apportioned giving, the renewal congregations and the development of Christian leaders for the church and the world.
Read more about the structure of the United Methodist Church.
