METHODISTS AND MEMBERSHIP

UNITED METHODISTS ARE….

A covenant of people

When you join a United Methodist congregation you become a member of the total United Methodist connection. Members make a promise to God and the congregation to uphold the church with their prayers, presence, gifts and service.

A diverse community

Methodism was formed when the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged in 1968. United Methodists trace their spiritual heritage back to 18th century leaders such as John and Charles Wesley, Jacob Albright, Philip Otterbein, Martin Boehm, and Francis Asbury.
Everyone is welcome in the United Methodist Church. We are firmly committed to inclusiveness. We celebrate diversity of people, ideas, and cultures. We are enriched by our broad history.
Biblical in faith
United Methodists trust free inquiry in matters of Christian Doctrine. Our faith is guided by Scripture, tradition, experience and reason. Of paramount importance is Scripture-as we believe the Bible is the record of God’s people living out God’s promise.

Mission-oriented, socially conscious

United Methodists are mission-oriented and socially conscious. This is important to our faith. We are aware of world events and strive to help those in need. United Methodists are one in faith and traditions with Methodists from around the globe.
Throughout the World Methodist Council, Methodists from 68 member churches cooperate in support of ecumenical, educational, evangelical and other ministries.

Ecumenical

For generations, United Methodists have cooperated with other churches to spread the gospel, care for those in need, alleviate injustice and foster peace. In national and interfaith groups, United Methodists reach beyond our own churches and our own communities to express concern and to share God’s love with people many faiths.
Involved
For more than 200 years, the United Methodist Church and its predecessor bodies have expressed concern for the worker, the sick, the poor, the orphaned, the aging, the impaired, the oppressed and the imprisoned.
Our church participates in the struggles of Women, people with impairment (both mental and physical) and racial-and ethnic- minority persons, helping them attain equality in the church, the economy and in society.
United Methodists positively influence society through responsible social action.
Connectional
United Methodism took form as an organized church in this country during the revolutionary period of our history. It’s structures parallel those of the United States government. Church leadership is shared by executive, legislative and judicial branches. Representative bodies carry out church functions at local, regional and church wide levels.
The highest legislative body-the only organization that can speak for the church is the General Conference. An assembly of up to 1,000 delegates. it is composed of equal numbers of laity and clergy and meets once every four years. Delegates are chosen by regional unites (annual conferences) throughout the United States and in 15 other nations. Non-voting representatives come from affiliated churches in 25 other countries.
Annual conferences respond to needs in their regions by developing programs and ministries that carry out the work of Christ and support the policies set by General Conference.

Evangelical

United Methodist Church continues it strong evangelical heritage. Within each congregation is a vital Center of Biblical study and evangelism-a blending of personal piety and discipleship.
MEMBERSHIP
Your decision to become a member of Wesley Church is one of the most significant choices you will ever make. We rejoice in your decision and welcome you to this community of faith. We are committed to growing in faith together, as we allow the Lord to form us and mold us into a fruitful body of believers. Wesley is a church where you will find countless opportunities to grow in your own relationship with Jesus Christ, serve Him in visible ways, and be a part of a church that is actively engaged in mission for Jesus Christ both locally and globally.
We take seriously the call to ministry that God gives all believers. We call this “lay ministry” .Everything we do aims at empowering and equipping people, just like you, to be followers of Jesus and witnesses to His great love and grace. You will hear and see a lot of lay ministry here at Wesley. We are glad you have chosen to be a part of this joyous adventure in faith. Welcome! Our staff is always available to answer questions and to guide you in your participation and involvement here.

1. Decide to belong/commit: People are invited by a friend or simply respond to their own yearnings for God. They approach a congregation, which rejoices in their coming and reaches out to welcome them.
2. Discover gifts/call: People seek God through various settings in the congregation. They enter into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, mediated through the various disciplines and practices they learn, such as Bible reading and study, worship, prayer, fasting, and attendance upon the Eucharist, the Holy Communion. They begin to relate to groups within the church where call and gifts can be explored, such as Bible Study, Sunday School, and other smaller settings.
3. Demonstrate faith through ministry/mission: People are nurtured and encouraged to grow in their knowledge and understanding of the Christian faith, particularly as it interfaces with the secular world. This knowledge is not for the sake of knowledge, but that Christians may more fully live the abundant life in family and community , and may more confidently represent and witness to the faith they hold. They are encouraged to become involved with an outwardly focused mission or ministry as a part of the church. In this, they learn and grow even more in their faith journey.
4. Lifelong Disciple: People move out of the congregation and into the world, aware that they are ministers and ambassadors of Christ, committed to witness and service in the world. They use the opportunities of daily living, and the arenas in which they find themselves, to invite and encourage others.

If you are interested in joining the church, you may check the appropriate box on the card provided in your bulletin and the minister will contact you. You can also contact the church office and let them know of your interest to join. We have several Sundays throughout the year when new members are invited to join, belong and participate in our church.

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