Membership at AHUMC
Our Prayers Our Presence Our Gifts Our Service Our Witness
Whether you are new to AHUMC or you’ve attended a service here for years, we want to help you take the next step.
All are welcome to join the church during the closing song at any of our services. If you are unable to join during a service, there are plenty of other opportunities to become a member at AHUMC.
Membership at AHUMC
Our Prayers Our Presence Our Gifts Our Service Our Witness
Whether you are new to AHUMC or you’ve attended a service here for years, we want to help you take the next step.
All are welcome to join the church during the closing song at any of our services. If you are unable to join during a service, there are plenty of other opportunities to become a member at AHUMC.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Join us for an introduction to AHUMC.
Whether you are a new member, interested in joining the church, or just want to find out more about our community, we hope that you will join the AHUMC staff for lunch and a time of introduction.
Our pastors and directors lead this dialogue about AHUMC and its ministries. Children’s lunches will be available, and childcare is available by reservation.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Join us for an introduction to AHUMC.
Whether you are a new member, interested in joining the church, or just want to find out more about our community, we hope that you will join the AHUMC staff for lunch and a time of introduction.
Our pastors and directors lead this dialogue about AHUMC and its ministries. Children’s lunches will be available, and childcare is available by reservation.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Join us for an introduction to AHUMC.
Whether you are a new member, interested in joining the church, or just want to find out more about our community, we hope that you will join the AHUMC staff for lunch and a time of introduction.
Our pastors and directors lead this dialogue about AHUMC and its ministries. Children’s lunches will be available, and childcare is available by reservation.
What is a United Methodist Church?
We are a protestant denomination with the mission of making disciples of Jesus the Christ for the transormation of the world. The United Methodist Church was formed in 1968 by uniting The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. The roots of Methodism can be traced to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley in 18th century England. For more information about the United Methodist Church, click here.
How do you become a United Methodist?
Becoming a United Methodist begins with a desire to grow as a follower of Jesus the Christ as part of a local congregation. For United Methodists, being baptized and committing to active participation in a church community are the first steps to becoming a member.
Baptism marks the beginning of our lifelong journey as followers of Christ. Those who have never been baptized will receive the sacrament of baptism before becoming members. Those previously baptized will reaffirm their baptism as part of their membership vows.
In our vows, we promise to faithfully llive out the call to serve Christ through our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.
What does it mean to be a member?
The Christian faith was never intended to be a solo journey. The first followers of Jesus came together for teaching, meals, prayers, and more (Acts 2:42).
Our understanding of what it means to be a member is deeply rooted in our understanding of baptism. Being a member means becoming as much a part of the church, the body of Christ, as our limbs are members of our own physical bodies. Just as our bodies are formed in the waters of the womb, so we become part of the body of Christ through the waters of baptism.
From the beginning, baptism has been sign of new birth, the door through which one enters the church. Baptism begins our lifelong journey of faith. Whether we are baptized as an adult or as a child, we all start on that journey at baptism.
The meaning of membership is also deeply rooted in our Methodist heritage. John Wesley was clear that Christianity is a social religion, and that our growth in holiness of heart and life is deeply dependent on being in face-to-face community with others who are watching over us (and we over them) in love. It is through these face-to-face relationships that we experience what it means to be the body of Christ in the world.
For United Methodists, membership requires our active participation in a local congregation. When we become members, we profess our faith in God, our desire to live as disciples of Jesus Christ, and commit to join with our church community to keep the vows made at baptism. The vows we make include promises to faithfully participate in the life and ministries of our local congregation through our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.
What are membership vows?
Vows are taken when a person joins a United Methodist church as a baptized or professing member.
By taking the baptismal and membership vows, an individual agrees to enter into a covenant with God and the members of the local church. These vows have four parts:
(1) to confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior;
(2) to believe in the Christian faith as contained in the Hebrew Bible and Christian Scriptures;
(3) to support The United Methodist Church; and
(4) to uphold the local congregation with one's prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.
The first two parts are included in the baptismal vows. All four parts are included when becoming a professing member in a local United Methodist congregation.
Why does membership matter?
When performing at its best, the church focuses its attention and resources not on members but those outside the church. The mission statement of The United Methodist Church is "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." This reminds us that while we seek to make members, our ultimate purpose is for the benefit of the whole world.
Church membership, then, is not about privileges like assigned pews, having say in important church decisions, or getting to the front of the line at potluck suppers. Rather it is a call to participate as part of a fellowship of followers of Jesus the Christ who seek to welcome all people, build community, share God's love, and serve the world.
Do I have to be a Methodist to participate at AHUMC?
Absolutely not. The United Methodist Church practices open doors, open hearts, and open minds. Expect to be welcomed and accepted just as you are. If someone does not feel welcomed or accepted in our community, we want to know about it and work to change it.
Can I participate in Communion at AHUMC?
Absolutely! United Methodists celebrate communion at an open table. All are welcome. There are no conditions. There is also no minimum age. The love of God is free and open to all and we demonstrate this belief in Communion.
Who can be baptized at AHUMC?
Anyone wishing to be baptized or have their child baptized, can be baptized in the United Methodist Church, except those who have already been baptized. As we understand baptism to be an act of God, it is complete and need not be repeated.
If you are interested in pursuing baptism for yourself or your child, visit our baptism page.
How do I schedule a baptism at AHUMC?
Anyone wishing to be baptized or have their child baptized, can pursue baptism in the United Methodist Church, except those who have already been baptized. Because baptism is an act of God, initiating us into the universal church, the sacrament is to be received by an individual only once. If you are interested in pursuing baptism for yourself or your child, visit our baptism page.
How do I learn more about AHUMC?
Our "Who We Are" page explains a bit about the community of faith at AHUMC.
Each semester, we host a "Lunch with the Staff" which is an open dialogue and introduction to AHUMC. We hope to see you there! In the meantime, contact us with any questions you may have.
What is a United Methodist Church?
We are a protestant denomination with the mission of making disciples of Jesus the Christ for the transormation of the world. The United Methodist Church was formed in 1968 by uniting The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. The roots of Methodism can be traced to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley in 18th century England. For more information about the United Methodist Church, click here.
How do you become a United Methodist?
Becoming a United Methodist begins with a desire to grow as a follower of Jesus the Christ as part of a local congregation. For United Methodists, being baptized and committing to active participation in a church community are the first steps to becoming a member.
Baptism marks the beginning of our lifelong journey as followers of Christ. Those who have never been baptized will receive the sacrament of baptism before becoming members. Those previously baptized will reaffirm their baptism as part of their membership vows.
In our vows, we promise to faithfully llive out the call to serve Christ through our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.
What does it mean to be a member?
The Christian faith was never intended to be a solo journey. The first followers of Jesus came together for teaching, meals, prayers, and more (Acts 2:42).
Our understanding of what it means to be a member is deeply rooted in our understanding of baptism. Being a member means becoming as much a part of the church, the body of Christ, as our limbs are members of our own physical bodies. Just as our bodies are formed in the waters of the womb, so we become part of the body of Christ through the waters of baptism.
From the beginning, baptism has been sign of new birth, the door through which one enters the church. Baptism begins our lifelong journey of faith. Whether we are baptized as an adult or as a child, we all start on that journey at baptism.
The meaning of membership is also deeply rooted in our Methodist heritage. John Wesley was clear that Christianity is a social religion, and that our growth in holiness of heart and life is deeply dependent on being in face-to-face community with others who are watching over us (and we over them) in love. It is through these face-to-face relationships that we experience what it means to be the body of Christ in the world.
For United Methodists, membership requires our active participation in a local congregation. When we become members, we profess our faith in God, our desire to live as disciples of Jesus Christ, and commit to join with our church community to keep the vows made at baptism. The vows we make include promises to faithfully participate in the life and ministries of our local congregation through our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.
What are membership vows?
Vows are taken when a person joins a United Methodist church as a baptized or professing member.
By taking the baptismal and membership vows, an individual agrees to enter into a covenant with God and the members of the local church. These vows have four parts:
(1) to confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior;
(2) to believe in the Christian faith as contained in the Hebrew Bible and Christian Scriptures;
(3) to support The United Methodist Church; and
(4) to uphold the local congregation with one's prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.
The first two parts are included in the baptismal vows. All four parts are included when becoming a professing member in a local United Methodist congregation.
Why does membership matter?
When performing at its best, the church focuses its attention and resources not on members but those outside the church. The mission statement of The United Methodist Church is "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." This reminds us that while we seek to make members, our ultimate purpose is for the benefit of the whole world.
Church membership, then, is not about privileges like assigned pews, having say in important church decisions, or getting to the front of the line at potluck suppers. Rather it is a call to participate as part of a fellowship of followers of Jesus the Christ who seek to welcome all people, build community, share God's love, and serve the world.
Do I have to be a Methodist to participate at AHUMC?
Absolutely not. The United Methodist Church practices open doors, open hearts, and open minds. Expect to be welcomed and accepted just as you are. If someone does not feel welcomed or accepted in our community, we want to know about it and work to change it.
Can I participate in Communion at AHUMC?
Absolutely! United Methodists celebrate communion at an open table. All are welcome. There are no conditions. There is also no minimum age. The love of God is free and open to all and we demonstrate this belief in Communion.
Who can be baptized at AHUMC?
Anyone wishing to be baptized or have their child baptized, can be baptized in the United Methodist Church, except those who have already been baptized. As we understand baptism to be an act of God, it is complete and need not be repeated.
If you are interested in pursuing baptism for yourself or your child, visit our baptism page.
How do I schedule a baptism at AHUMC?
Anyone wishing to be baptized or have their child baptized, can pursue baptism in the United Methodist Church, except those who have already been baptized. Because baptism is an act of God, initiating us into the universal church, the sacrament is to be received by an individual only once. If you are interested in pursuing baptism for yourself or your child, visit our baptism page.
How do I learn more about AHUMC?
Our "Who We Are" page explains a bit about the community of faith at AHUMC.
Each semester, we host a "Lunch with the Staff" which is an open dialogue and introduction to AHUMC. We hope to see you there! In the meantime, contact us with any questions you may have.