At Messiah, we believe that we all have our own unique relationship with God, and with Christ.
We seek to be open-minded toward one another’s personal faith and beliefs, even when they differ from our own, recognizing that our differences can be a source of new insight. We also seek to be open-minded as we learn and grow in faith.
We value contemporary biblical and theological scholarship as we wrestle with the difficult questions of faith in Sunday morning classes, through the pastor’s sermons, and in study groups. We believe that following Jesus is a way of life, not simply a set of beliefs or doctrines. Our guide for living our lives as followers of Jesus is the centuries old motto: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, love.”
By calling ourselves progressive Christians, we mean we are Christians who:
Believe that following the path and teachings of Jesus can lead to an awareness and experience of the Sacred and the Oneness and Unity of all life.
Affirm that the teachings of Jesus provide but one of many ways to experience the Sacredness and Oneness of life, and that we can draw from diverse sources of wisdom in our spiritual journey.
Seek community that is inclusive of all people, breaking down man-made delineations and definitions that are designed to keep us separate.
Know that the way we behave towards and treat one another is the fullest expression of what we believe.
Find grace in the search for understanding and believe there is more value in questioning than in absolutes.
Strive for peace and justice among all people and to strive to protect and restore the integrity of our Earth.