Although we do not insist upon conformity in theology or practice, in general we share some common understandings and values in our life together, including:

	A renouncing of the prevailing cultural values of "rugged individualism" and the privatizing of our God-given abilities, property and other resources.
	A corresponding commitment to share all that we are and all that we have with our brothers and sisters in this community and with others in need.
	A desire to be “church” in the New Testament sense, a “household of faith” whose members live, work and play together “day by day”.
	A commitment to spiritual disciplines, including daily prayer, weekly sharing in the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion), frequent communal study of the scriptures, tithing, and the giving and receiving of spiritual direction.
	The full inclusion of all persons who share our calling and commitment, without regard to race, cultural or national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, income level, or physical ability; and the use of language and liturgy which reflects this inclusiveness.
	A total commitment to non-violence in word and deed, and a willingness to engage in, or support, non-violent direct action as a primary catalyst for bringing about God's shalom.

Metanoia Peace Community is one of more than 150 “Reconciling Congregations” within the United Methodist Church. As a Reconciling Congregation we actively welcome and include gay men, lesbians, bi-sexual persons, and trans-gendered persons in our life and ministry. In this way we seek to break down the cultural barriers that diminish persons whose sexual orientation is different from that of the majority.

Through the national Reconciling Ministries Network we are also involved in advocating for a change In the current policies of the United Methodist denomination which are unfriendly to sexual minority persons.

In Metanoia we stress that our personal income and possessions are not to be regarded as something we own privately, but as a resource we have been given to share. We are stewards, rather than owners, of the financial and other resources that have been given to us as gifts or as wages.

Some of us live out this conviction by sharing a “common purse,” into which we place all of our collective income, and from which we pay all of our collective financial obligations. For others income sharing takes other forms. At the very least we challenge persons to spend their income only after weighing their own needs together with the needs of others. This almost always means choosing to get by with less for ourselves so that we will have more to give to others. We seek to do this, not grudgingly, or out of a sense of duty, but joyfully and as a response to the grace of God in our lives.

Generally we find that when we base our lives on sharing, “what goes around, comes around,” and “as we give, so also we receive.” Jesus said, “Seek first the Kin-dom of God and all these other things (i.e. our material needs) will be yours as well.” We have found this to be abundantly true!