At Trinity Holy Church, we embrace the spirit of being “reformed and always reforming.” This commitment has led us to align with a vibrant movement called Progressive Christianity. At its heart, Progressive Christianity seeks to distinguish itself from the often rigid portrayals of the Christian faith in the public sphere.

Progressive Christians have grown weary of defining their beliefs by what they reject:
“We are not fundamentalists. We do not believe the Bible is the inerrant or infallible word of God. We do not dismiss science or consider it at odds with faith. We reject the notion that God hates those who are gay. We do not believe people of other faiths are destined for hell because they don’t believe exactly as we do. And we affirm a woman’s right to make choices about her own body.”

Instead, Progressive Christianity is about affirming what we are for: love, inclusion, justice, and compassion rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ.

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION
At Trinity Holy Church, our teachings are rooted in the English Reformation Bible, a contemporary translation completed in 2021 by our Presiding Bishop, Rev. Scott Grey. This is our officially adopted text, and through it, we proclaim that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our faith, beliefs, and values.

PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIAN BELIEFS CENTERED IN JESUS
We believe in the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three in one eternal God. At the heart of our faith is Jesus’ commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you.”

We hold that God’s will and way were revealed through Jesus Christ. When Jesus told the rich young ruler, “Go, sell what you have, give to the poor, and follow me,” he made it clear: faith is not about rituals or magic words but living with love, generosity, and humility. This simple yet profound call is the foundation of our beliefs.

OUR CORE BELIEFS
1. The Christian Faith Is Rooted in Three Calls of Jesus:
To love God, love our neighbor, and love ourselves.

2. To Follow Christ Is to Embrace His Way of Life:
Jesus’ invitation to “follow me” is not about earning salvation. There’s no checklist, no set of rituals, no conditions for God’s love. Salvation is a gift, freely given. God’s love for us is unconditional, and nothing we do can make God love us more or less.

You can even follow Christ without consciously realizing it. What defines a true follower of Jesus is not words or labels but the fruits of their heart: love, kindness, hospitality, charity, empathy, and compassion. Conversely, hatred, judgment, exclusion, selfishness, and cruelty are not marks of a Christ-like life.

We live in a diverse world, sharing our lives with people of all faiths and beliefs—Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Agnostic, and Atheist. We recognize their love, care, and goodness. The transformative power of Christianity doesn’t rely on converting others to our way of thinking. Exclusivity is born of fear, but we believe God’s love is for all.

3. Love of God Means Caring for All Creation:
Our love for God extends beyond humanity to include the Earth and all its ecosystems. Stewardship of the planet—ensuring clean air, water, and soil—is an expression of our faith. We affirm the harmony between science and faith, recognizing that both provide wisdom and insight essential to our understanding of God’s world.

4. Love of Neighbor Means Radical Inclusion:
Following Jesus’ example, we extend kindness, care, and affirmation to our neighbors—locally and globally. This includes affirming and supporting African Americans, the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, those of different faiths, and even those who see themselves as our enemies.

5. Love of Self Is Vital to Spiritual Growth:
Self-love involves nurturing our mind, body, and spirit through spiritual practices such as worship, prayer, music, and study. It also means taking time for rest, recreation, friendships, a healthy diet, and physical activity. Love of self is grounded in humility and a sense of humor, recognizing that we are beloved creations of God.

For a deeper understanding of Progressive Christianity, explore our Affirmations.

WE ARE ALWAYS REFORMING
At Trinity Holy Church, we identify as a “reformed and reforming” church. Faith is a dynamic journey, and we believe God calls each generation to engage mind, heart, and spirit to keep the Christian faith alive and relevant. While ancient traditions and practices inform who we are, they do not define us. God continues to shape us in response to the evolving world around us.

This “reformed and reforming” spirit is rooted in Jesus himself. Raised in the Jewish faith, Jesus knew the Law and Prophets intimately. He didn’t come to abolish them but to bring them to life, making God’s reign a present reality. As the Gospel tells us, “He came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.” In doing so, Jesus established a new covenant—a new pathway to a deeper, more inclusive relationship with God. This covenant welcomed all people, expanding God’s beloved community beyond the boundaries of Judaism.