CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: The United Methodist Church, a fellowship of believers, a part of the Church Universal, and celebrates its diversity. Therefore all persons, without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship services, to participate in its programs, and, when they take the appropriate vows, be admitted into its membership in any local church in the connection. In case of persons whose disabilities prevent them from assuming the vows, their legal guardians, themselves members in full covenant relationship with God and His church, the Community of Faith, may recite the appropriate vows on their behalf.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: As a member of the United Methodist Church, you are to be a servant of Christ on mission in the local and worldwide community. This servanthood is performed in family life, daily work, recreation and social activites, responsible citizenship, the stewardship of property and accumulated resources, issues of corporate life, and all attritudes toward other persons. Participation is an expected part of personal mission involvement. Each member is called upon to be a witness for Christ in the world, a light and leaven in society, and a reconciler in a culture of conflict. Each member is to identify with the agony and suffering of the world and to radiate and exemplify the Christ of hope.
MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNTABILITY: All members are to be held accountable for their faithfulness to their covenant and vows with God and the other members of the church. Should any member be accused of violating the covenant and failing to keep the vows which the member entered into with god and the other members of the local church; then it shall be the responsibility of the local church, working through its pastor and its agencies to minister to that person in compliance with the provisions of membership care in an effort to enable the member to faithfully persom the vows and covenant of membership. In the event that those efforts fail, then the lay member and the local church may agree to voluntary mediation in which the parties are assisted in reaching a settlement or agreement satisfactory to all parties by a trained neutral third-party mediator or mediation team. In the further event that those efforts fail to effect reconciliation and reaffirmation of the vows and covenant of membership by the lay member, then the members of the church may pursue the procedures set forth in PP2623.3, 2654, and 2625.5 of the United Methodist Discipline.
ADMISSION INTO THE CHURCH: all persons seeking to be saved from their sins and sincerely desiring to be a Christian in faith and practice are proper candidates for membership. To participate in an event or events of instruction about the United Methodist Church. Confirmation is one way a preparatory member can take the vows of membership. Persons in preparation for full membership make up the Preparatory Roll. All babtized children shall be listed on this roll. Those who are affiliated with members or were at one time full members but have not kept the covenant vows of full membership shall be listed on the Constituency Roll. Members of this roll may change their status to full membership by taking an active interest in the vows of membership. Any candidate for church membership who for good reason is unable to appear before the congregation may, at the discretion of the pastor, be received elsewhere in accordance with the Ritual of the United Methodist Church. In any case lay members should be present to represent the congregation. Names of such persons shall be announced to the congregation.
