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Our History & Beliefs

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HISTORY

Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church is a church located in the heart of Gulf Breeze, Florida. It has been the heart of the community since it began in 1955. Our congregation of approximately 2200 members, at both our Fairpoint Campus and Worship at the Water™ Campus, are active in the community and the surrounding area of Pensacola, Florida.

 

Our church family includes people of all ages and stages of life. Our campus and buildings house worship services, community programs, and discipleship classes for children, youth, and adults. We are known for our community disaster response.

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WHAT WE BELIEVE

GBUMC is part of the United Methodist Church, a denomination based in a Wesleyan doctrine of grace, faith in Jesus Christ, and personal spiritual growth.

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God

    •    United Methodists believe in the Trinity: God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

    •    God is the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of all creation.

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Jesus Christ

    •    Jesus is the Son of God, fully human and fully divine.

    •    Through his life, death, and resurrection, humanity is offered forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life.

    •    His teachings and example shape Christian discipleship.

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The Holy Spirit

    •    The Holy Spirit is active in the world, guiding, comforting, convicting, and empowering believers.

    •    The Spirit works to renew and transform both individuals and communities.

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Scripture

    •    The Bible is the primary authority for faith and practice.

    •    It is inspired by God and interpreted through tradition, reason, and experience (known as the Wesleyan Quadrilateral).

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Salvation

    •    Salvation is a gift of God’s grace, not earned by works.

    •    United Methodists emphasize prevenient grace (God’s love reaching us before we’re aware), justifying grace (forgiveness and acceptance through Christ), and sanctifying grace (growing in holiness and love throughout life).

    •    Faith and good works go hand in hand: faith is active through love.

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The Church

    •    The Church is the body of Christ, called to worship God, make disciples, and serve the world.

    •    All believers are ministers; clergy are set apart to serve the Church and community in special ways.

    •    The United Methodist Church is a connectional church, meaning congregations are linked in mission, accountability, and shared resources.

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The Sacraments

    •    United Methodists recognize two sacraments:

    •    Baptism – initiation into the Christian community, a sign of God’s grace, available to people of all ages.

    •    Holy Communion – open to all who seek Christ, a means of grace remembering Jesus’ sacrifice and anticipating the heavenly banquet.

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Christian Living

    •    Faith is lived out in personal holiness (prayer, study, devotion) and social holiness (seeking justice, peace, and mercy in the world).

    •    Following John Wesley, United Methodists practice “doing no harm, doing good, and staying in love with God.”

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Hope & Future

    •    United Methodists believe in the resurrection of the dead and eternal life with God.

    •    They look forward to God’s kingdom being fully realized “on earth as it is in heaven.”

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Learn more about our beliefs at the United Methodist Church website: https://www.umc.org/en/what-we-believe/basics-of-our-faith

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