Membership
There are four ways to join:
WHEN YOU JOIN
The Methodist Church provides for a brief membership ritual that is included during a time of common worship. Persons choosing to take the vows of membership are welcomed before the congregation by the pastor and a lay leader.
Affirmation is given to these questions:
With each observance of this liturgy the congregation renews their vows.
"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his spirit and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.." - Ephesians 3:14-19 NRSV
- Profession of faith, if you have not previously been a Christian church member
- Re-affirmation of faith, if you have at one time joined a church but are not currently connected
- Transfer from another Methodist Church
- Transfer from another denomination
WHEN YOU JOIN
The Methodist Church provides for a brief membership ritual that is included during a time of common worship. Persons choosing to take the vows of membership are welcomed before the congregation by the pastor and a lay leader.
Affirmation is given to these questions:
- Do you believe in God Almighty, creator of all things, and accept the gift of life given to you by the grace of God?
- Do you believe in Jesus Christ, by whose grace you are freed from the errors of your past and are called and empowered to meet the full promise of your life?
- Will you take an active part in the work of Jesus Christ through the ministries of the First Methodist Church Abilene?
- Will you uphold the church by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness?
With each observance of this liturgy the congregation renews their vows.
"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his spirit and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.." - Ephesians 3:14-19 NRSV