What We Believe.

We believe that church membership expresses your desire to "live out" your life as a follower of Jesus at Due West. Living your life as a follower of Jesus is far and away the most important commitment of your life. We are glad you are choosing to "live out" your faith in community with us. Because we care about you, we want to be clear on our core beliefs and our core values.

We believe the Christian life is "lived out" in fellowship with our sisters and brothers, joining in small groups for accountability and growth and participating in ministry to those in need around us. John Wesley called this, "holiness of heart and life." ("But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do." 1 Peter 1:15)

Sources of Our Faith

Biblical Authority

We believe what Methodists have always believed: the Bible is the only and final authority for faith and practice, containing everything we need to know for our salvation.

Historic Christian Creeds

Our foundational beliefs—shared with all Christians in all places at all times—are found in both the Nicene and Apostle's Creed.

Wesleyan Heritage

We celebrate our Wesleyan heritage as expressed in the writings and hymns of John and Charles Wesley.

Our Beliefs

The One Holy God

We believe in One God, expressed in three persons. We believe that the same God who created the world (Genesis 1) is the same God who came to earth in the person of Jesus ("I and the Father are one." John 10:30) and is the same God who descended on believers of Jesus to empower them to be the church. (Acts 2)

Salvation through Jesus Christ

Because we believe we are all sinners, we believe we all need a Savior. We believe that Savior is Jesus Christ. We believe he lived on earth fully human and fully divine. We believe he gave his life on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven. And we believe he rose again so we could have new life in Him. We believe that while this gift of salvation is offered freely, we must accept it on faith.

The Centrality of Grace

Grace can be understood as the love and mercy of God offered to us freely. We can never earn it. God freely offers it. It works in our lives in many, many ways. We want people not only to experience the saving grace God offers us in Christ Jesus, but we further expect people to grow in that grace daily. Wesleyan Christians refer to this as "practical divinity". Letting Christ live in you as you live in Christ.

The Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion

Holy Baptism is the sacrament that initiates us into the family of God. Holy Communion is the sacrament that sustains and nourishes us in our journey of salvation. In each sacrament, God uses tangible, material things as vehicles or instruments of grace. John Wesley defines a sacrament, in accord with his Anglican tradition, as "an outward sign of inward grace, and a means whereby we receive the same."

Holiness as a Lifestyle

We believe in holiness, both personal and social. As part of God's sanctifying grace at work in us, we should always be growing more and more in the image and likeness of Christ. And while our relationship with Him is deeply personal, it also must express itself in acts of love and service in in the larger social world.

The Means of Grace

We believe that there are certain practices that help us live out our lives as followers of Jesus. These include our two sacraments, but also include practices such as daily prayer, daily study of scripture, regular attendance in public worship, participation in smaller fellowship groups, and acts of service to our community.