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What We Believe

If you’re looking for a rigid set of doctrines, we’re probably not the right church for you.

We encourage a “generous orthodoxy,” meaning that if you were to survey our pastors and members on the questions below, you’d find a healthy range of beliefs. 

But how can people in the same church disagree about important questions?

Well, we also embrace paradox in our tradition, understanding that a “both/and” theology is more complex and nuanced than a black-and-white doctrine. 

The responses below, written by our pastoral staff, aren’t “the answers” or what all Presbyterians believe, but we hope it gives you a sense of where we’re coming from.

The Admin Council

The Admin Council and its sub-committees are called to care for the resources of our church, including our staff, building, and finances.

The Care Council

The Care Council is called to care for our congregation.

The Faith Formation Council

The Faith Formation Council is called to support the spiritual growth of Fairmounters of all ages.

The Serve Council

The Serve Council is called to connect Fairmount with our wider community, including service, justice, and interfaith partnerships.

Worship FAQs

What is the core message of our faith?

God is. God is in you. God is love.
Be here. Be love.

Who was Jesus?

Jesus was the image of the invisible God–the incarnate presence of God within humanity.

Jesus was the Human One–the revelation of who God created us to be.

Jesus embodied God’s love to show us how to embody God’s love, which is how we reclaim our humanity.

What did Jesus teach?

Jesus taught…

The love of God dwells within us.

We see God at work in us when we love one another, starting with those who are overlooked, ignored, and oppressed.

And we find joy when we allow that love to live in us and through us.

Why did Jesus die?

Jesus’ death is a poignant symbol of the world’s fierce (and often violent) resistance to the love of God. The crucifixion demonstrates how humans are afraid to give up their own independent power and allow God’s love to reign in them and in all creation.

What about the resurrection?

The resurrection proclaims that God’s love is the most powerful force in the universe, and that God’s presence in humankind did not die with Jesus. (And our belief in that message is a lot more important than our belief about the physical aspects of the resurrection.)

What is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the invisible presence of God that surrounds us and permeates all creation. Never coercing–She patiently persuades us towards liberation by love.

Kind of like magnetoreception…the sixth sense of whales, birds, and other animals that senses the invisible force of the magnetic field to guide their migration!

Why do you use different pronouns for God?

For centuries, people have used he/him pronouns for God. But God is not a man. Scripture uses metaphors for God that cross traditional gender norms. So you could say that God transcends gender.