First United Methodist Church

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We invite all to participate in a rich experience of faith while working together as disciples of Jesus Christ. For those who are considering becoming church members or for those members who want to review the vows they took when they stood before a congregation and professed their Christian faith, we welcome you!

To assist you in familiarizing yourself with the process, here are the most frequently asked questions about our church membership.

Can I become a member if I am not a Methodist?
Yes. We joyfully accept into membership anyone who expresses a desire to become a part of our church family.

If you come from a Methodist or other Christian background, and have been baptized, you will be received into membership during the Sunday worship service.

If you come from a background that is non-Christian, or from a background where Christian education was absent, we will receive you into membership at our Sunday worship service after you have been baptized. You will be baptized just prior to the membership ritual.

What does the membership ritual involve?
You will be invited, along with your sponsor(s), to stand before the congregation and take the following membership vows:

Membership Vows

Do you here, in the presence of God, renew the solemn promise and vow that you made in your name, at your baptism?
Response: Yes

Do you, confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and pledge allegiance to this kingdom?
Response: Yes

Do you receive and profess the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament?
Response: Yes

Do you promise according to the grace given to you to live a Christian life and always remain a faithful member of Christ's Holy Church?
Response: Yes

Will you be loyal to the United Methodist Church, and uphold it by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service?
Response: Yes

After taking your vows, you will be received into membership and introduced to the congregation. You will be asked to sign our membership roll.

Is it necessary for me to stand before the congregation?
Yes. This process may seem intimidating to some, but your sponsor will stand with you during the membership ritual. Exceptions can be made for those who cannot attend service as a result of some physical condition.

How do I find a sponsor?
If you have someone in mind who is already a member, that person or persons may act as your sponsor(s). Otherwise, we can match you with someone who would be more than happy to sponsor you.

Do I need to take classes before becoming a member?
No. You are not required to take classes in order to become a member. If you would like to enhance your knowledge of the Christian faith or explore avenues for heightening your spirituality, we have groups that meet on a regular basis to assist you such as Bible Study, reading circles, Discipleship study, men's and women's devotional groups, etc.

What happens after I become a member?
The nature of your membership in this church is very much up to you. Each of us carries out our membership vows in different ways. However, as a congregation we do have some expectations in being a disciple of Jesus Christ. In general, we are guided by these eight commitments. We invite you to make them yours as well.

We can come as we are. We find that here we are accepted as we are, that people know us and love us in spite of our shortcomings In this caring circle we sense God's gracious love for us - and empowered by that, we are able to love others.
We create a fellowship. Together, by the help of God's Spirit, we are building here a Christian community, a fellowship of believers. Our congregation is one of openness, friendship, and care. You are invited to find your place among the classes, fellowship groups, service groups, and other organizations in our church. We urge you to become an active participant in at least one of these - for your sake and ours.
We continue the journey. All of us are travelers on the pathway of faith and discipleship. We learn as we go, sometimes progressing, sometimes stalled at a difficult passage, sometimes falling back. But we intend to keep moving, supporting each other on the way. Will you commit yourself to such a lifelong journey?
We join in worship and prayer. The regular worship of God is the center of our congregation's life. Here we are nourished by God for the life of faith. Through affirming our faith together, through hearing the biblical story read and listening as our pastor interprets it, through sacraments, through our rededication to Christ as disciples…in all these ways we are refreshed and renewed for the journey. We urge you to establish a pattern of regular worship of God, both with the congregation and individually.
We study Christ's way. The Bible is not always easy to understand, with its language and customs of people long ago. Yet we believe that it holds God's Word for today. In order to discover the Scriptures' meaning, to accept it and apply it, we need to help one another in serious, personal Bible study. We invite you to take part in that.
We give to God and to others. We believe that we are stewards, caretakers of the beautiful gifts God has given us and we are thankful for these gifts. We choose to invest our time, talent, and treasure in ways that will make a creative and meaningful difference. We serve in countless ways in both the church and community. When it comes to financial giving, we bring to God a carefully considered proportion of our income. You have received much. We invite you to be a steward of these gifts, to be a giver.
We invite others to join us. We have a mandate to witness the good news of God's love in Christ and to invite others into the faith community. We do this by our actions and by our words - telling others of our own faith journey, sharing what this congregation has meant to us, and inviting people to visit this church. Will you make such witness a part of your life?
We go out in ministry. Our congregation is not an end in itself. All our fellowship, worship, study, and stewardship is in preparation for our work as Christ's disciples in our communities.

Some of ministry is through simple acts of friendship and caring - listening to a neighbor, visiting a sick co-worker, helping out in Sunday School. Some acts are more complex - speaking up for justice near and far, supporting efforts to bring world peace.

The ministry to which we are called is not necessarily easy. But we are propelled by our own experience of God's love. And we are drawn by a magnificent vision, God's promise of the coming world of righteousness, liberation, peace, and justice. Will you join us in this ministry?
Adapted from a tract written by George E. Koehler for Discipleship Resources.

For information contact Sylvia via email, or call 805-963-3579 extension 15.

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