GREENWAY CHURCH

Who We Are and What We Believe

The Greenway Church is a United Methodist Church. The Methodists began as a reform movement within the Church of England 200 years ago. Since Methodism did not arise out of theological controversy, our beliefs are consistent with the majority of mainline Christian denominations. Our book of Discipline highlights the basic Christian affirmations that we share with other denominations:

-We believe in the mystery of salvation in and through Jesus Christ.

-We believe that God's redemptive love is realized in human life by the activity of the Holy Spirit, both in personal experience and in the community of believers.

-We understand ourselves to be part of Christ's universal church when by adoration, proclamation, and service we become conformed to Christ.

-We recognize that the reign of God is both a present and future reality.

-We share with many Christian communions a recognition of the authority of Scripture in matters of faith, the confession that our justification as sinners is by grace through faith, and the sober realization that the church is in need of continual reformation and renewal.

-We believe in the essential oneness of the church in Christ Jesus.

Methodists have not sought to reformulate Christian doctine but to encourage "practical divinity." Thus historically, the distinctiveness of Methodism has not in our beliefs but in our practice of "growing in the knowledge and love of God through the personal and corporate disciplines of the Christian life." (Book of Discipline)

With other denominations, we believe that faith in Christ is the only human response necessary for salvation. We believe, however, that when an individual truly understands the grace of God and responds in faith, good works are the natural result. Thus, Methodists place a strong emphasis on Christian mission and service to the world. As our Discipline states, "we assert that personal religion, evangelical witness, and Christian social action are reciprocal and mutually reinforcing."

The Greenway Church sees itself in line with historic Methodism. We exist as a church to spread personal holiness and to serve the east side of Yakima in practical ways.