The word "believe" goes beyond intellectual agreement with rules, doctrines, or teachings. In both Latin and Greek, its root meaning is "to give one's heart to." For us, faith is not about believing in doctrines about Christ but giving our hearts to God in Christ.

At University Church (and among United Methodists in general), we prioritize love over dogma. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, said, "If thine heart is as my heart, take my hand." Wesley wasn’t concerned with rigid dogma; his focus was on every Christian experiencing and practicing the love of God in Christ. For Wesley, faith was lived through love for God and others. It’s not about believing the right things or even doing good deeds; the Christian faith is about being in relationship with God, a relationship that transforms us into Christ's likeness. This transformation leads us to live out our faith by doing no harm, doing good, and staying in love with God.

At University Church, we live out our faith through love and relationship—with God and each other. We believe this is far more important than having uniform beliefs. Unlike other traditions, there’s no doctrinal statement to sign. In the spirit of John Wesley, we "think and let think." Theological exploration is not only welcomed among Methodists, it’s expected! That said, there are core values we aim to live into at University Church. We’re the first to admit we don’t always get it right, but we strive to.

We Embrace Diversity

We celebrate humanity’s diversity, welcoming all to our community. Our differences enrich us, challenge assumptions, and deepen our love for one another as individuals created in God's image.

Our Faith is a Journey

We embrace curiosity and doubt as part of our faith journey, honoring each person’s thoughts and beliefs. We create space for open dialogue, exploration, and continuous growth in faith and love. We’re not perfect. We make mistakes, and there’s always more to learn and accomplish. We invite others to join us in this life of transformation.

Honoring Scripture with Humility and Integrity

We take the Bible seriously, but not always literally, viewing it as a window to understand God and ourselves. Committed to holistic interpretation, we avoid using scripture to fit agendas. Rooted in humility, we stay open-minded, allowing our faith to grow and evolve.

Centered in God’s Grace

With such diversity, questions will arise. We may disagree, but we do so with love, honesty, and respect. Grounded in God’s grace, we affirm that God loves us not for who we are or what we do, but because of who God is.

A Life of Service

We are committed to serving the larger community, recognizing that the church extends beyond our buildings. We are called to transform neighborhoods through hope, faith, and love, and believe that faith involves serving others.

University Church is proud to be a Reconciling Congregation, where all people, regardless of age, gender, race, color, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, economic background, employment status, or legal standing, are welcomed into the full life of our community.

We firmly believe that all people are created in the image of God and are deeply cherished as God’s beloved. In this spirit, we celebrate the richness of diversity and embrace it as a sacred gift from God. As part of the Reconciling Ministries Network, we are committed to promoting intersectional justice both within and beyond the United Methodist Church. We believe in the full inclusion and participation of all LGBTQ+ individuals in the life, leadership, and mission of the Church.

At University Church, we extend an open invitation to everyone who seeks to join us on a journey of faith. This commitment to hospitality, acceptance, and inclusivity is not only a core value but a central part of who we are as a congregation. We strive to be a place where all individuals, regardless of background or identity, can find a sense of belonging and support. It is vital to us that others know University Church is a community where they can experience welcome, love, and acceptance, and where everyone is valued as they are.