Our Identity

We value reason, experience, and the witness of the church throughout history, but we believe the Bible is the foundation of our faith—the story of God’s saving love, the guide for Christian living, and the well from which we draw wisdom, comfort, and direction. Scripture speaks to us across generations, revealing who God is and who we are called to be. Together in love, we wrestle with this holy book as we seek to interpret its powerful truths.

The Apostles’ Creed holds a cherished place in our life together. It is more than a set of statements—it is the story of God’s love for the world, a love we trust and lean into every day. When we speak the Creed, we join our voices with Christians across centuries and around the globe, remembering that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves.

We believe in God the Father, the One who lovingly created all things and calls each of us by name.

We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, who came among us to reveal God’s heart—teaching, healing, forgiving, and ultimately giving his life for the salvation of the world. His resurrection is our hope that new life is always possible.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, God’s presence with us now, guiding, comforting, and empowering us to live out our faith with courage and joy.

We believe in the Church, a community shaped by grace where imperfect people are welcomed, forgiven, and transformed.

We believe in the forgiveness of sins, the promise that God meets us with mercy and never lets our failures be the final word.

And we believe in life everlasting, the assurance that God’s love holds us in this life and the life to come.

In every line, the Apostles’ Creed roots us in God’s faithful story and invites us to live as people of hope. Read the full Creed here.

We are shaped by the Wesleyan tradition, which calls us to both personal and social holiness. This Wesleyan way of life draws us closer to God while sending us out to care for the hurting, defend the vulnerable, and participate in God’s work of healing and hope.

John Wesley offered a simple yet profound way of living the Christian life—three rules that help shape us into a people who reflect Christ’s love in everyday ways. These rules are not burdens but invitations: invitations to live gently, generously, and faithfully.

1. Do No Harm

This begins with a posture of kindness. We seek to interact with our neighbors, our families, and even those with whom we differ, in ways that do not wound or divide. In a world where words can be sharp and divisions deep, we choose the path of peace.

2. Do Good

Doing good is how we put love into action. Whether it’s serving in our community, caring for a neighbor in need, encouraging a child, or supporting a mission halfway around the world, we look for opportunities—large and small—to be a blessing. Goodness becomes our daily practice, both inside and outside the church.

3. Stay in Love with God

This rule centers our lives. Through worship, prayer, Scripture, fellowship, and the rhythms of the church year, we nurture a relationship with the God who loves us beyond measure. Staying in love with God helps us become the kind of people who naturally do good and avoid harm.

Together, these three simple rules weave a pattern for Christian living—one that shapes the culture of our church: a place where love is practiced, where grace is lived, and where all are welcomed to grow in faith.

Centenary is part of the United Methodist Church, a Christian denomination which traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley in England and the Great Awakening in the United States. Our congregation is located in the Capital District of the North Carolina Conference of the UMC.

To learn more about the United Methodist Church, click here.