Become a Member

 

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER OF PINSON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

 

 

Joining the church is an important step in claiming the Christian faith for oneself. When you join the church, you make a commitment to your own spiritual journey, nurtured through worship and by the love of a faithful Christian community.

 

 

 

Why Join the Church?

 

We believe that the Christian faith is best lived in a community of other Christians who are seeking to grow in their knowledge, love and service of God. When you join Pinson United Methodist, you are joining a group of Christians who love God, who love one another, and who encourage each other in living lives of faith and compassion. 

 

 

As members of this church we experience the joy of Jesus Christ together and we support one another in Christian faith. While one can be a Christian and not ever join a church, we believe that Christianity lived in connection to others is quite simply richer, deeper, more joyful and more faithful to God's Word.

 

 

 

Persons May Become Members of Pinson United Methodist by:

 

          1.Profession of Faith/Baptism

                 A person making a first time commitment to faith in Jesus Christ                        and to His church.

 

          2. Transfer of Membership from another denomination

                A person joining Pinson UMC from another faith tradition or                               denomination.

 

          3. Transfer from another United Methodist Church

                A person coming to Pinson UMC from another United Methodist                         Church.

 

 

 

Membership Vows

 

On the day that you join Pinson UMC, near the end of the worship service the pastor will invite you (and possibly others) forward to stand before the congregation in the area in front of the chancel rail and will ask you the questions listed below. Because we didn't "invent" the church yesterday, the questions may sound rather antiquated as they express deep theological and historical ideas in the church. Never shying away from our rich traditions, the pastor will ask you:

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  On behalf of the whole church, I ask you: Do you reject the spiritual forces of wickedness, the evil powers of this world and the bondage of sin?

 

          Your answer is: I do

•  

  Do you accept the freedom God gives you to resist evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms they prevent themselves?

 

          Your answer is: I do

•  

  Do you confess Jesus Christ as you savior, put your whole trust in His 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?

 

          Your answer is: I do

•  

  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?

 

          Your answer is: I do

•  

  As members of Christ's universal Church, will you be loyal to the United Methodist Church and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?

 

          Your answer is: I do

•  

  As a member of this congregation, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness?

 

          Your answer is: I do

 

 

 

What is Expected of Members?

 

In the United Methodist Church, we use five words to talk about what it means to be a part of a congregation:

 

     Prayers

 

    We expect all of our members to commit themselves to a practice of                   prayer, enriching their relationship with God and upholding the church,         others and  themselves in spiritual devotion.

 

     Presence

 

     We expect all of our members to make a commitment to be present with          the worshipping community as much as possible. We believe that the                community that is formed in worship is absolutely vital to a growing                  Christian faith.

 

     Gifts

 

     We expect all of our members to make a commitment to support the work       of the church through the sharing of their time, their unique gifts and               talents,  and their financial resources.

 

     Service

 

     We expect all of our members to make a commitment to serving the                  church through acts of ministry within the church and in the broader                community.

 

     Witness

 

      We expect all of our members to think of their Christian life not as                     something limited to Sunday mornings, but rather as being lived out in             their faithful acts throughout the week at home, in the workplace and in           the community.

 

 

 

 

If you have any questions or need additional information, our pastor will be pleased to talk with you.