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Our
Beliefs
At St.Paul, we
are Christians who are excited to be part of the United
Methodist Church.
What is
a United Methodist?
United Methodists
are the second largest Protestant denomination in America.
Methodists have played a significant role in shaping our nation,
and especially the Southwest Virginia and Upper East Tennessee area.
Some of the first churches beyond the Blue Ridge and the Great
Smoky Mountains were Methodist. Hiawasee College and Tennessee
Wesleyan College and Emory and Henry College were all begun
by The Methodist Church and remain strongly connected to the
church today.
United Methodists
hold to the historic
doctrines of the Christian faith.
We are evangelical,
but moderates rather than fundamentalists. We value the intellect
and modern science, while at the same time looking to the
Bible as the authoritative guide for faith and practice. Methodists
have a passionate faith with strong convictions, but we also
recognize that the world is not always black and white. We
are willing to ask questions, to wrestle with difficult issues,
and to do so with grace and compassion.
Methodists have
been known for our emphasis on a personal faith, lived out
in concrete ways in the world. We have historically valued
well-informed and passionate preaching, worship that was lively,
and small groups where people could grow in faith.
Methodists have
open hearts, and open minds--and welcome anyone interested
in learning more about the Christian faith.
If you would like
to know more about what it means to follow Christ, please
call 865-687-2952 and ask to speak to our pastor or e-mail
us.
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