The United Methodist Church today is an 11-million-strong global church that opens hearts, opens doors and opens minds through active engagement with our world.  We believe strongly in the importance of Christian living, in putting faith and love into action.  The United Methodist Church was founded by John Wesley who believed that the “living core of the Christian Faith was revealed in scripture, illuminated by tradtion, vivified in personal experience and confirmed by reason.”   You can find more information about the beliefs of the United Methodist Church by clicking here and by reading more below.

Although not primarily a denomination of creeds, the United Methodist Church shares with other Christians the doctrinal heritage of the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds.  Core beliefs include: 

• A Triune God  The essential unit of Father, Son and Holy Spirit embraces the biblical witness to God’s activity in creation, God’s salvation in Christ, and God’s continuing presence in our everyday lives.
• God’s Prevenient Grace  The grace of God that precedes any and all conscious impulses.  We are loved regardless of who we are or what we have done.
• Justification and Assurance  Also known as conversion, the process of being “justified” or restored to a right relationship with God through faith in Christ, is what Jesus described as being “reborn.”  We can expect to receive assurance of this forgiveness of our sins, or salvation, through the work of the Holy Spirit.
• Sanctification and Perfection  New birth is only the first step in the process of sanctification of “holiness.” The Holy Spirit’s  “sanctifying grace” draws us toward Christian perfection, which according to Wesley is a heart “habitually filled with the love of God and neighbor.” 
• Faith and Good Works  Faith is the only response essential for salvation, but salvation evidences itself in good works.  God’s grace calls forth human response and discipline.
• Oneness of the Church of Christ  Our ecumenical commitment as United Methodists is to share our own religious heritage with the larger Christian family.  We confess a belief in “one holy, catholic (or universal) and apostolic church” which calls us to Christian unity at local, national, and world levels.
• Nuture and Mission of the Church  Personal faith is nourished by the worshiping community which mobilizes connectional ties that bind us for service to the world.  Personal salvation always involves Christian mission, and love of God is always linked with love of neighbor.
• Two Sacraments  We believe in two Sacraments ordained by Christ, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are symbols and pledges of the Christian’s profession and of God’s love toward us.  They are the means of grace by which God works invisibly in us, quickening, strengthening, and confirming our faith in Him.

Our Framework of the Life of the Church
The five elements of the framework of the life of the church are worship, discipleship, fellowship, ministry and mission.

• Worship We invite you to any of our three Sunday morning worship service.  Come grow with us!  Acts 2:43
• Discipleship We offer many options for growth in Christ as we form ourselves in his image. Sunday school classes for youth and adults, Faith Foundations classes, small group studies, and Vacation Bible School are among some of the choices here at Walnut Street.  Acts 2:42
• Fellowship The early church gathered every day, effectively learning to “do life together”.  When we meet in small study groups, gather in the Cornerstone Café on Sunday mornings, share in the  midst of the laughter and tears of life, we are learning what fellowship is really about.  Acts 2:42
• Ministry The early believers knew to serve in order to build God’s Church.  Each of us is called to some kind of ministry, whether it’s ministering to children, teaching adults, shaking a hand and sharing a warm smile on Sunday mornings, visitng shut-ins, leading in worship, etc.  When everyone uses their gifts, the church truly becomes the hope of the world.  Take the Spiritual Gifts Class to help discern your area(s) of ministry!  Acts 2:44
• Mission As followers of Christ we are called to be Christ’s “hands and feet” in the world.  At Walnut Street UMC, we have three levels of missions local, national and international.  Acts 2:43,45, also Acts 1:8b, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (NIV)