AFFIRMING
VALUES & BELIEFS
Our beliefs are at the center of everything we do. They ground us, unite us and lead us forward. We believe that God is infinite, righteous and just, a loving presence in our lives.
We believe that the Bible is God’s truth and the primary source of faith, yet we must be discerning and view it through Christ. Bible study is intended to bring us closer to God as revealed in Jesus, thus equipping us for a life and faith that reflects what Jesus would teach and ask of each of us. Most of all, we believe in the transformational power of Jesus to change our lives.
SMALL GROUPS
The Bible means many things to us. It’s a collection of writings that together tell the story of God’s work within humanity throughout time. It’s a sacred scripture that holds special authority within our community. It’s a guide to faith and life.
FAMILY
Women (or anyone) will not be silenced at PVUMC. We believe that God speaks through a variety of God’s creation and welcome all voices. The United Methodist Church continues to declare its belief in the full equality of women and the importance of women in decision-making and leadership positions at all levels of the church.
LGBTQ+
We believe God invites ALL people to the table to be seen and valued, and appreciated for who God has made them to be. We declare the belief in the full equality of all members of the LGBTQIA+ community and the importance of the LGBTQIA+ members in decision-making and leadership positions at all levels of the church.
LEGACY
It can be difficult to talk about God, so we often try to find adjectives that describe the divine nature: God is transcendent (over and beyond all that is), yet at the same time immanent (present in everything). God is absolute, infinite, righteous and just.
Sometimes it is easier to describe how we experience God in our lives: in creation, love, suffering, and many other places.
PRAYER
In trying to find words to express their faith in Jesus, the New Testament writers gave him various names. Jesus was Master, Rabbi, Teacher. He was the Way, the Truth and the Life. He was the Doorway to the sheepfold, the Light of the world, the Prince of Peace and more.
Perhaps best of all, we believe in Jesus as our savior, as the one through whom God has freed us of our sin and has given us the gift of whole life, eternal life and salvation.
MISSIONS
The Holy Spirit lives in and through us, and deepens our connection to the Father. Any time that we are advancing goodness in the world, we believe that the Holy Spirit is at work. It is our guide. Jesus described the Holy Spirit as “the advocate” in John 14:16, that would “abide in us forever.” If this description feels incomplete, perhaps that is because the Holy Spirit is mysterious by nature. Maybe it cannot be fully known or understood by human beings and the limits of our wonderings.