WHO WE ARE
Paxtonville UMC is a faith community where we are striving to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. “Disciple” comes from a Latin word that means “learner” or “follower.” We believe that having a close, personal, growing relationship with Jesus Christ is the true meaning of life.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
God: We believe in a good, wonderful, mighty, awesome, just, and loving God who is revealed as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is at work in the world and in our lives, and has a master plan to solve the problem of Sin.
Sin: We believe that what God made good, people messed up. Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious standard. And we cannot fix this problem on our own. Romans 6:23 tells us that we all deserve death because of Sin; we deserve to be separated from God.
Jesus: We believe Jesus came to earth to live a sinless life, to show us how to love one another, and ultimately to die on the cross to pay the penalty for sin that we could not. Mark 10:45 says that Jesus came not to be served but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many. But, because he was also God in the flesh (John 1:1-2), Jesus rose from the dead three days later and conquered sin forever.
Eternal Life: We believe that because Jesus rose from the dead, we can receive the gift of eternal life in God’s presence, too. We do not get this gift by earning it, being “good enough,” or doing all the right things. Romans 10:9 says that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved! In other words, to receive God’s gift, we must repent and ask forgiveness of our sins and accept Jesus as our Lord.
Transformed Life: We believe that God does not leave us as we are. Romans 12:2 says do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. We believe that as we grow in relationship with God, God will heal our brokenness, take away our desire for sinful things, and make us more and more like Jesus.
Servant Life: We believe that God calls us to love and serve one another. One of the best ways to show our love for God is to love another person in the same way that Jesus would. In fact, Jesus said that his was the greatest commandment, to love God and to love others.
OUR CORE VALUES
We Are:
A Faith Community Centered on the Word
Colossians 3:15-16 – 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Worshipers Seeking Deeper Relationship with the Lord
Psalm 95:6-7 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; 7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Disciples Encouraging New Disciples
Matthew 28:19-20a – Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Reverent Servants of the Lord and the Community
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.