Baptism, Confirmation and Church Membership
Baptism: A Welcome into the Family
Baptism is a sacrament of Christian initiation, in which the congregation of the church welcomes a person into membership in its family. Baptism is not a ministry the church offers to the community at large, but a point of entry, a 'rite of passage', an essential part of the life of the congregation. All who are baptized, whether infant, child, or adult, are entered on the roll of Baptized Members of Epworth LeSourd United Methodist Church.
Baptism will be a part of the regular services of worship of the gathered congregation of Epworth LeSourd, except in highly unusual circumstances -- as when the one to be Baptized is too ill or infirm to come to worship; in such cases, representatives of the congregation should be present to affirm its participation in the Baptismal covenant.
Who may be Baptized?
In the United Methodist Church, Baptism is available for people of all ages: adults and youth, children and infants.
Adults and youth
Baptism is available for those adults, youth, and older children who accept for themselves the Christian faith, and the responsibilities of membership in a congregation of the church. Such persons are entered in the roll of Professing Members of Epworth LeSourd United Methodist Church.
Children and infants
Baptism is available for younger children and infants, if the parents and other sponsors ('God-parents') are Christians and active participants in a Christian congregation, and if they are willing to promise to raise the child in the extended family of the church and in an environment of Christian faith and love. We expect the child’s parents and other sponsors to encourage their involvement in the church's Sunday School and Christian Education programs, and we expect that the Baptized will be given the opportunity as youth to accept for themselves in Confirmation the vows of Christian faithfulness which the parents and sponsors made on their behalf at their Baptism.
What do we require of Candidates, Parents and Sponsors?
Before Baptism, the pastor will meet with the candidate, or with the candidate's parents and/or sponsors, to be satisfied concerning their growing Christian faith and their commitment toward the candidate's involvement in the church.
Baptism in the Epworth LeSourd congregation may be performed by sprinkling or by immersion, as desired by the candidate. Since we have no facilities for immersion at Epworth LeSourd, we would need to 'gather at the river', or borrow the use of another congregation's Baptistery.
Will we re-Baptize?
There is no need for anyone to be re-Baptized. If a person wants to mark a renewal of faith and commitment in public worship, we can hold a service of Renewal of Baptismal Vows. We do not Baptize a person who is already Baptized. To Baptize again would imply that God's grace was deficient in the person's Baptism. Once is enough.
What will it cost?
There will be no fees asked or accepted for Baptism, or for the sessions of counsel or education leading to Baptism.
Confirmation
Confirmation has been referred to as the "second half of Baptism", in which a person baptized as an infant or young child accepts, for himself or herself, the Baptismal vows made on their behalf by their parents or sponsors, professes their Christian faith, and accepts the responsibilities of Full Membership in this congregation of the United Methodist Church.
For Youth
Annually at Epworth LeSourd, we intend to offer confirmation classes for youth who are considering the meaning of their faith. This series of classes usually will extend from the beginning of the new year through Lent, with Confirmation being celebrated during the main worship service of Easter.
For Adults
We require consultation with the pastor, to the pastor's satisfaction that the candidate has a solid and growing commitment to Christian faith and active participation in the life of the Epworth LeSourd United Methodist Church.
We recommend that adult candidates for confirmation, and those transferring their membership from other denominations, join with the pastor in a series of classes to review basics of Christian faith and United Methodist traditions and policies. These classes will be held upon request, in a series lasting approximately six weeks.
Professing Membership
A person may become a Professing Member of Epworth LeSourd United Methodist Church through one of two "doors":
Profession of Faith
-- at Baptism, or at Confirmation of baptismal vows (for people Baptized as infants), the candidate makes their first formal profession of Christian faith before the congregation. Confirmation classes or a series of consultations with the pastor are required.
Transfer of membership
-- A person who has been a professing member of another Christian congregation transfers their membership to this congregation. This is done by letter or certificate sent from the former congregation to this one.
Special Categories of Membership
Members of other Christian congregations who are "residing for an extended period in a city or community at a distance from the member's home church" may be enrolled in Epworth LeSourd as
Affiliate Members (if United Methodist) or
Associate Members (if members of another denomination).
Affiliate and Associate members are eligible to hold offices and participate in all activities open to other professing members, except those offices which would place them on the Administrative Council.
These special categories of membership are intended for people who are temporary residents of the area -- college students, people who maintain two residences, perhaps folks in the armed forces. Affiliate or Associate membership ends when the person moves away.
Changes in Membership Status
A person may leave membership at Epworth LeSourd by death, or through one of the following "doors":
Transfer of membership
-- to another congregation of the United Methodist Church, or to another denomination. We encourage all members who move too far from Epworth LeSourd for regular worship attendance to consider transferring their membership to a church nearer their new residence.
Withdrawal
-- Upon a member's request, he or she may withdraw membership from the congregation, without becoming a member of another congregation.
Removal by Church Conference Action
-- If a member is inactive, despite encouragement to renew their active participation in the church for two consecutive years, their membership may be removed by vote of the Church Conference in its annual meeting.
Reinstatement of Membership
Members who have withdrawn or been removed by Church Conference action may request to have their membership reinstated at any time, either to become active again, or to transfer their membership to another congregation.
 |
Space for this web site is provided courtesy of the General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church. The content of these home pages is the responsibility of Wes Stanton. Please send site-related feedback here. |
