Cherryvale Church is a part of the wider connectional church called The United Methodist Church (UMC). We are a global denomination rooted in historic Christian beliefs and practices.  We recognize the Apostle’s Creed and the Nicene Creed as accurate summarizations of our core beliefs. Our doctrine is articulated through foundational documents, including the Articles of Religion, the Confession of Faith, and the General Rules, which collectively guide the faith and conduct of its members. 

These are some of our Core Beliefs.  It is not meant to be an exhaustive list or full explanation.  For more info and questions, please click on the links to read more or simply ask us! 

Triune God: We profess faith in one God, existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This understanding emphasizes God’s creative, redemptive, and sustaining work in the world. 

Jesus Christ: Central to our doctrine is the belief in Jesus Christ as both fully human and fully divine. Through His life, death, and resurrection, humanity is offered salvation and reconciliation with God. 

The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is acknowledged as God’s presence with us, providing comfort, guidance, and empowerment for holy living. 

Scripture: The Holy Bible is upheld as the inspired Word of God and the primary authority for faith and practice and contains everything necessary for salvation.  Both the Old and New Testaments are essential for understanding God’s will and purpose. 

Salvation: We believe God's grace is open to all, and we believe salvation is an open gift from God, accepted by individuals according to their own free will.  We believe that it is God’s grace that is at work in us (prevenient grace) before, (justifying grace) during, and (sanctifying grace) after our response.  We are saved by grace through faith in Christ.  No amount of good works can save us. 

Good Works: Having accepted Christ, we naturally want to express our faith through good works.  However, these good works are not a means to salvation. 

Sanctification:  The first step in our faith journey is to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and is often called “Justification”. Justification is the beginning of a lifelong process of becoming more Christ-like which is called sanctification. 

Ministry of All Believers: We are all spiritually gifted by God, and each of us has a calling to express those gifts as a part of the work of Christ and his Church. Therefore, we are all ministers of the Gospel. 

Sacraments: 

We recognize two sacraments as instituted by Christ: 

Baptism: A sacrament signifying God’s new covenant with us by water and the Spirit through Jesus Christ.  A means of grace signifying initiation into the Christian community, representing God’s cleansing work within us and new birth. 

Holy Communion (The Lord’s Supper): A sacrament that re-presents Christ’s sacrifice for the community, serving as a means to experience God’s grace and a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. We practice "open Communion"--meaning that anyone may participate in receiving Communion as the Holy Spirit works within them. 

Social Principles: 

The Social Principles are a prayerful and thoughtful effort of the General Conference to speak to the issues in the contemporary world from a sound biblical and theological foundation.  These principles are designed to foster a life reflective of Christ’s teachings and love. 

Through adherence to these doctrines and practices, the United Methodist Church seeks to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.