Membership in the United Methodist Church

What do you expect out of this workshop?

Questions to ponder in this workshop 1.Who can be a member of the United Methodist Church? 2.What is the meaning of membership? 3.Do you have to be baptized to become a member? 4.How many types of membership in the United Methodist Church? 5.What consider a person legal for membership status? 6.Can I transfer my membership from another church? 7.What are the steps to become a member? 8.How is membership terminated?

The Vows: What is the overall meaning and purpose for these vows? These membership vows express God’s call to discipleship and our acceptance and commitment An acceptance and commitment to grow in grace going on to perfection A serious undertaking and a life of discipline A life centered in Jesus Christ—His life and mission (a vocation for Jesus Christ) Covenant people—to God and one another in the Body of Christ (1 Peter 2:9-10)

The Significance of each vow Our Baptismal Vows/Repentance Vows 1.Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of your sin? 2.Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?

The Significance of each vow The Vow of Discipleship 3. Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, put your whole trust in grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord, in union with the Church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations and races? (see Romans 10:8-10) 4. According to the grace given you, will you remain faithful members of Christ’s holy Church and serve as Christ’s representatives in the world?

The Significance of each vow Church Membership Vows: 5. As members of Christ’s universal Church, will you be loyal to Christ through The United Methodist Church, and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries? [Membership Vows for the UMC] 6. Will you participate in the ministries of this church with your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness? [Membership Vows for the local congregation]

The Significance of each vow Vow to the Scripture: 7. Do you receive and profess the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments?

Who can be a member? For legal reasons, it is important for us to be able to say who can be a member of the church and how can one attain that status. The day of Wesley –Admission to the Society “Everyone who desires to escape from the wrath to come” Join the class meeting Vow to the General Rules

Who can be a member? For legal reasons, it is important for us to be able to say who can be a member of the church and how can one attain that status. Today’s Requirement Baptized members Professing members Transferred members The Membership Application

The Different Types of Membership FULL MEMBER (FM) (Professing Member) PREPARATORY MEMBER (PM) ASSOCIATE MEMBER/AFFILIATE MEMBER (AM) CONSTITUET MEMBER (CM) The church has pastoral responsibility oversight for all types of members. For statistical purpose, only full members are reported.

Steps into membership 1.A potential member must have attended/visited the church at least three times or more, 2. Meet with the pastor, and/or 3. Attended and completed a membership class, and/or 4. Have been baptized, and 5. Completed and signed the membership form

The UMC Membership Vow – Our Prayers When we join the United Methodist Church, we vow to uphold it with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness. Where does that come from? Numbers 14:1-35, The power of intercessory prayerNumbers 14:1-35, The power of intercessory prayer Mark 11:11-24, Prayer is effective and powerful. Luke 18:1-8, Keep praying and never give up! James 5:7-20, Pray for all reasons. Luke 11:1-13, The Lord’s Prayer Mark 11:11-24, Prayer is effective and powerful. Luke 18:1-8, Keep praying and never give up! James 5:7-20, Pray for all reasons. Luke 11:1-13, The Lord’s Prayer

The UMC Membership Vow – Our Presence When we join the United Methodist Church, we vow to uphold it with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness. Luke 2:41-52, Young Jesus goes to the Temple.Luke 2:41-52, Young Jesus goes to the Temple. Luke 4:14-38, Jesus in the synagogues Matthew 5:13-16, “Make your light shine!” Luke 13:10-17, Jesus heals in the synagogue. Luke 19:47-20:1; John 7:14-15, 8:2, 18:20, Jesus in the Temple. Luke 4:14-38, Jesus in the synagogues Matthew 5:13-16, “Make your light shine!” Luke 13:10-17, Jesus heals in the synagogue. Luke 19:47-20:1; John 7:14-15, 8:2, 18:20, Jesus in the Temple.

The UMC Membership Vow – Our Gifts Leviticus 27:30-34; Exodus 25:1-8, Tithes and offeringsLeviticus 27:30-34; Exodus 25:1-8, Tithes and offerings Matthew 7:7-12, The Father gives good gifts. Matthew 6:1-4, Give alms in secret. Mark 12:38-44, Give from what you have. Acts 10:1-8, God remembers prayers and alms. Matthew 7:7-12, The Father gives good gifts. Matthew 6:1-4, Give alms in secret. Mark 12:38-44, Give from what you have. Acts 10:1-8, God remembers prayers and alms. 2 Corinthians 9 Give as planned and generously

Our Service Matthew 25:31-40, The King expects service.Matthew 25:31-40, The King expects service. Mathew 25:41-46, Failing in service is inadvisable. Matthew 21:28-32, “The Parable of Two Sons” John 13:3-17, Jesus sets an example of service. Acts 6:1-8, Lay members are appointed to service. Mathew 25:41-46, Failing in service is inadvisable. Matthew 21:28-32, “The Parable of Two Sons” John 13:3-17, Jesus sets an example of service. Acts 6:1-8, Lay members are appointed to service.

Our Witness John 1:1-18, John came as a witness.John 1:1-18, John came as a witness. John 1:19-37, John identifies the Lamb of God. Luke 24:38-53, “You are witnesses of these things.” Acts 1:1-8, “You shall be witnesses.” Acts 1:15-26, Matthias is chosen as a witness. John 1:19-37, John identifies the Lamb of God. Luke 24:38-53, “You are witnesses of these things.” Acts 1:1-8, “You shall be witnesses.” Acts 1:15-26, Matthias is chosen as a witness.

Are you living up to your vows? Have you lived up to your membership responsibilities/vows? Which vow has been a particular challenge to you? Take one vow that you need to improve and move it one step better