About Us
Our Beliefs

Who We Are: The United Methodist Church

At Mission Valley United Methodist Church, we’re part of a larger family of faith called The United Methodist Church (UMC) - a global denomination with deep roots, warm hearts, and open minds.

We belong to the Montana West District of the Mountain Sky Conference, which includes churches across Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and one in Idaho. Together, we share in ministry, mission, and mutual support as we seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

A Brief History of the UMC

The Methodist movement began in the 1700s with John and Charles Wesley, Anglican priests who inspired people to live out their faith with “methodical” devotion - through prayer, study, service, and community.

That movement grew rapidly in England and America, eventually forming what we now know as The United Methodist Church in 1968, when two denominations - The Methodist Church and The Evangelical United Brethren Church - joined together.

Today, United Methodists worship in more than 130 countries. While our settings and styles vary, we share one foundation: God’s grace, offered freely to all people.

What We Believe

Grace: The Heart of Our Faith

United Methodists believe that grace - God’s unearned, unconditional love - is always at work in our lives. We describe this grace in three ways:

  • Prevenient Grace: God’s love that goes before us, drawing us toward faith even before we recognize it.

  • Justifying Grace: The moment we accept God’s forgiveness and are made right in relationship with God through Christ.

  • Sanctifying Grace: God’s ongoing work within us, helping us grow in love and holiness throughout our lives.

Our faith isn’t a one-time decision; it’s a lifelong journey of becoming more like Jesus - in heart, mind, and action.

Our Core Beliefs and Theology

  • God - One God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

  • Jesus Christ - God’s love made visible; through his life, death, and resurrection, we are offered new life.

  • The Holy Spirit - Alive and active, guiding, comforting, and empowering us to live out our faith.

  • The Bible - God’s inspired Word and the primary guide for our faith and practice, interpreted through Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience (the Wesleyan Quadrilateral).

  • The Church - The body of Christ, called to love God and neighbor and to bring healing, hope, and justice to the world.

Our Sacraments

Baptism

Baptism is our entry into God’s family - a visible sign of God’s invisible grace. We baptize infants, youth, and adults because God’s grace is a gift, not something we earn or understand first. Baptism happens once, but we renew our baptismal vows throughout our faith journey.

Holy Communion

We practice an open table: everyone is invited to taste and see that the Lord is good! You don’t have to be a member of this church or any church to receive. All who love Christ, repent of their sin, and seek peace with one another are invited to share in this sacred meal.

We believe God’s grace meets us at the table - forgiving, renewing, and strengthening us to live as Christ’s people in the world.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

The United Methodist Church believes every person is of sacred worth, created in the image of God.

In 2024, the UMC’s General Conference voted overwhelmingly to remove prohibitions on the ordination of LGBTQIA+ clergy and the performance of same-sex weddings. This historic change affirms that all people - regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity - are welcome to participate fully in the life and leadership of the church.

At Mission Valley UMC, that welcome is more than policy; it’s our practice. We strive to live out Christ’s radical hospitality - open hearts, open minds, and open doors.

Our Global and Local Connection

The United Methodist Church is a connectional denomination, meaning no congregation stands alone. We’re linked together through shared mission, leadership, and accountability across the world.

Locally, we’re part of the Montana West District within the Mountain Sky Conference, which covers Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and one congregation in Idaho. Our conference emphasizes innovation, inclusion, and collaboration among churches serving both rural and urban communities.

This connection allows us to be part of something larger - supporting global mission projects, disaster relief, education, and justice ministries - while remaining deeply rooted in our own community here in the Mission Valley.

Why It Matters

Being United Methodist means:

  • We trust in God’s grace more than our own effort.

  • We practice faith that grows through both personal devotion and social action.

  • We welcome everyone to Christ’s table.

  • We believe in serving neighbors and transforming communities.

  • We seek to follow Jesus with open hearts, open minds, and open doors.

If you’re searching for a church that blends historic Christian faith with open-hearted community, intellectual honesty, and a commitment to grace and inclusion, we’d love for you to join us.