Membership in the United MethodistChurch

Sometimes we think of membership like being a member of the Auto Club or the Country Club where we pay for services and privileges. Church membership is different. The apostle Paul used the image of a living body: “For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13) In this biblical sense, to be a member is to be part of a living organism — a vital community activated by the Spirit of God to love and to serve. Paul's statement also points to the inclusiveness of the church: anyone may make the journey into life in the church.

Baptism and membership

You can become a member of the body of Christ, the church, by being baptized into it or by reaffirming your baptism. Baptism is an outward and visible sign of God's inward and spiritual grace in our lives. Baptism is God’s action, not ours; in Baptism we receive and are empowered to respond to God’s grace with faith, but we do not act. For Methodists, Baptism is not just another way that people "join the church." Nor is it something that can or should be repeated because we may have experienced a "new beginning" in our walk of faith. Oftentimes it is done as sprinkling the water over ones head, although sometimes it is done by pouring or immersion. Youth and adults may go through a time of preparation and instruction before they are baptized. In the case of infants and children, the parents may receive instruction. In this way they are helped to know God, the meaning of being “members of the body,” and what it is they are committing themselves to.

What happens at baptism?

Baptism initiates a covenant of relationship between God and the baptized person and between the church and the person. When you are baptized or affirm your baptism, the congregation enacts God's grace toward you and welcomes you into the community of faith. As a response to God's gracious initiative, you will be asked to pledge your loyalty to the life and ministries of The United Methodist Church and to promise to uphold the local church with your prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. As a baptized Christian, you will be part of the universal church and part of a particular community of Christians where you are known and watched over in love.

Varied pathways

Since all that seek to be members come with different experiences and backgrounds, there are a number of pathways to follow in becoming a member of The United Methodist Church.

• If you have never been baptized and you desire to be a Christian with United Methodist Christians, you will prepare for baptism.
• If you were baptized as an infant or young child and have not made a profession of faith and been confirmed, then you will prepare to reaffirm your baptismal covenant.
• If you are a member of another part of the church (such as Baptist, Presbyterian or Lutheran), then you will want to prepare to transfer your membership from that church to this local UnitedMethodistChurch.
• If you are a member of another Christian church that does not transfer membership, you will want to prepare to make a profession of faith and be received as a member.

Please feel free to discuss with our Pastor, Pat Dunbar, the journey of becoming a Christian and a member of DawsonvilleUnitedMethodistChurch. She will be able to answer any of your questions and help you discern and decide what next steps you may want to take.

Sample of Membership Vows:

 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?

I will.

As members of this congregation,

will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers,

your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness?

I will.

Joining Dawsonville United MethodistChurch

Is God calling you to be part of the ministry of this congregation?

We receive members into our congregation in the following ways:

Profession of Faith - If you presently have no church home, we would be happy to baptize you, if you have not already been baptized, and receive you into our congregation. We believe age is not a factor concerning the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. No one is too young or too old to receive God’s grace.

Transfer of letter from another UnitedMethodistChurch - If you are presently a member of another UnitedMethodistChurch, you may transfer your membership to Dawsonville UMC.

Transfer of membership from another Christian church or denomination - We welcome you and accept your baptism as valid.

Affiliate Membership - If you are presently a member of another UnitedMethodistChurch and desire to retain membership in that congregation, we invite you to become an affiliate member of our congregation.

Associate Membership - If you are presently a member of another Christian church or denomination and desire to retain that membership, we invite you to become an associate member of our congregation.

For more information on joining our ministry at DawsonvilleUnitedMethodistChurch please contact our Pastor, Pat Dunbar. She will be happy to guide you as you discern your next steps to membership with this faith community.

Email: RevPDunbar@gmail.com