What We Believe
As a part of the United Methodist Church, Riverside is connected to a denomination that values diversity. Within every United Methodist Congregation, there is room for a wide variety of opinions. Though there are Social Principles that help guide how United Methodists interact with the social world, these are not understood to be irrefutable stances. That being said, there are foundational beliefs that help define who we are as United Methodist Christians.
God, who is one, is revealed in three distinct persons.
We believe in the mystery of salvation through Jesus Christ. God became human in Jesus whose life, death and resurrection demonstrate God’s redeeming love.
The Holy Spirit is God’s present activity in our midst. When we sense God’s leading, God’s challenge, or God’s support or comfort, it’s the Holy Spirit at work.
Genesis 1:27 asserts that we’ve been made in the image of the Creator. Like God we have the capacity to love and care, to communicate, and to create.
The church is the body of Christ, an extension of Christ’s life and ministry in the world today.
We believe that the Bible is the primary authority for our faith and practice.
The kingdom or reign of God is both a present reality and future hope.