The Galena United Methodist Church

Our Beliefs
Our Purpose
Our Vision
Our Values
Our Limitations

At The Galena United Methodist Church, 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. We are the home to both President Bush and Senator Dole, as well as President Clinton’s family when he was in the White House. Methodists have played a significant role in shaping our nation. During the early years of our country, Methodist preachers, or circuit riders, rode all over the countryside proclaiming God's goodness. Campmeetings were held and small groups were formed to inspire one another to more growth.

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 contact us.

To build a community of faith that begins to walk with God together.

We have a three-fold focus here at Galena Church.

1. Begin to Love God (worship)
2. Begin to Love People (small groups, fellowship)
3. Begin to Serve Others (ministry teams)

This vision is also our strategy for becoming closer to God. All of our structure and activities revolve around these three things. For all who are a part of this community, we ask that you simply do three things as you grow with God.

1. Be connected to God through worship.
2. Be connected to people in a fellowship group.
3. Serve God by serving others in a ministry team.

We wish to avoid the clutter of scattered programs. We want our involvement in church to be simple. The world and your life are chaotic enough.

Sometimes in the midst of our hectic lives simple=better. We believe that God finds us in the simple things and calls us to make a difference in the world.

It is our desire to honor God through our work on His behalf. To that end, we will do His work with the qualities we most value: integrity, grace, excellence, relevance, authenticity, passion, humility, faith, inclusivity, commitment, joy and love.

We recognize that certain actions could impede our ability to achieve God's purpose and vision for this church. We therefore resolve and state that Galena Church shall not: pursue ministry which is contrary to its purpose; fail to seek to be good stewards of its financial and non-financial resources; do anything in opposition to the spirit and intent of the United Methodist Book of Discipline; stray from biblical principles and scriptures; stop discerning God's vision for The Galena United Methodist Church.