Our Beliefs
An Anthem of Grace and Purpose
What Is Grace?
We believe in prevenient grace—God’s love that surrounds us before we even know it. Grace is not something we earn. It’s the steady, unshakable love of God that calls us into life. In the United Methodist tradition, grace unfolds in stages: it goes before us, saves us, and grows us. We see grace in the welcome of Jesus Christ, in the movement of the Holy Spirit, and in the love of the Church. Grace is the heartbeat of everything we do.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” – Ephesians 2:8
Who Is Jesus?
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, fully divine and fully human. We believe Jesus lived among us to show us what God’s love looks like in person. He was crucified under Pontius Pilate, rose again on the third day, and lives still—calling us to follow in his way of love, sacrifice, and justice. As United Methodists, we affirm the historic Christian creeds that proclaim: “I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord.” Jesus is more than a teacher. He is our Savior, our companion on the road, and the One in whom we place our trust.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God...And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:1–2, 14
How Does the Holy Spirit Work Today?
The Holy Spirit is God present with us—always near, always at work. We believe the Spirit empowers us to love boldly, serve generously, and live faithfully. The Spirit is not just a feeling. It is God’s active presence: in our prayers, in our courage, in our compassion, in our calling. The Spirit brings unity, not uniformity. It is the Spirit who sends us into the world—not just to believe, but to be the hands and feet of Christ.
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” – Acts 1:8
How Do United Methodists Read the Bible?
We love the Bible. We read it with reverence, curiosity, and openness. We believe the Bible is inspired by God and best understood through the lens of Jesus Christ. We study Scripture using tradition, reason, and experience—a method we call the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. We don’t use the Bible to beat people up. We read it to be drawn closer to the heart of God. We believe that through reading the Bible, we hear God speak to us today.
“All Scripture is God-breathed…” – 2 Timothy 3:16
The Bible tells the big story of a God who is always moving toward us in love.
What Does It Mean to Be United Methodist?
To be United Methodist is to follow Jesus with both your head and your heart. We’re part of the United Methodist Church, a global body of believers shaped by the teachings of John Wesley. Our faith is guided by three simple rules: Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God. We believe personal faith and social justice go hand in hand. Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8
Who Belongs Here?
You do. You belong not because you believe all the right things, but because God’s love has already claimed you. At Argyle UMC, we welcome all—the certain and the curious, the hopeful and the hurting. We affirm the sacred worth of every person: no matter your background, race, age, gender identity, or relationship status. We open our doors because God opens God’s heart.
“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28
What Does Faith Look Like in Daily Life?
Faith is more than Sunday morning. It’s the meals we share, the neighbors we serve, the hard questions we wrestle with, and the hope we hold onto. At Argyle UMC, you’ll find people serving in the community, praying for their neighbors, showing up for children and youth, building relationships across divides, learning to live more like Jesus, one step at a time. We don’t just go to church. We are the church.
“So, faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” – James 2:17
The Story We Live By
We believe in the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is the story at the center of our lives: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. We remember it at the Table, we retell it in worship, and we try to live it out in everything we do. It’s not just a story about then. It’s a story about now. And you’re invited to be part of it.
"The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon! Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread." – Luke 24:34-35