"The Meaning of Membership"

This past Sunday we celebrated the baptism of a beautiful baby boy, Brittion Nathaneal Crawford, in the 11:00 service.  Surrounded by his family, we asked God's blessing be upon him through the outpouring of water and the Spirit.  The church family made a promise to help raise him in the Christian faith.  We spoke the following words:  "With God's help, we will so order our lives after the example of Christ, that Brittion Nathaneal, surrounded by steadfast love, may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal."
 
What powerful words those are!  What a privilege it is to be a member of the church.  And what an enormous responsibility it is...not only to say those words, but to live those words... "we will so order our lives..."
 
At the conclusion of the service, several people joined the church, just as many have before them, and answered yes to the following questions:  "Will you let this be a day when you reaffirm your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?"  And, "Will you be loyal to The United Methodist Church and uphold it with your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness?" 
 
And they said "yes." 
 
Every one of us who has joined The United Methodist Church has answered yes to those questions. 
 
What powerful words those are!  What a privilege it is to be a member of the church.  And what an enormous responsibility it is...not only to say those words, but to live those words... "to be loyal...and uphold it..."
 
As the pastor of Noel Memorial United Methodist Church, I want to invite you to consider those words and reflect upon how you are living out those words.  Would you once again reaffirm your commitment to Christ in this new year?  Would you once again reaffirm your membership vows by upholding the church with your prayers?  Your presence?  Your gifts?  Your service?  Your witness?
 
As you begin a new year, ask God to assist you, by his grace, to commit yourself to the following:  1) worshiping every Sunday unless you are sick or out of town; 2) serving in at least one volunteer ministry position this year; 3) intentionally taking care of your spiritual life between Sundays by being part of a Bible Study, Sunday School class, or small group, or by reading a daily devotional or personal study guide; 4) faithfully giving of your financial resources in proportion to your income, working toward the biblical standard of the tithe (10% of your income); and 5) sharing with friends and others what you are experiencing at Noel and inviting them to come and join you.
 
I believe with my whole heart that each of us, in living out these expectations of membership, grows in our faith, and we together expand the ministry of the church. 
 
God bless you this New Year, and may your own life of faith grow deeper and deeper in the love of Jesus Christ.
 
I'll see you at the "commitment" place this Sunday,