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How many members are there in the Methodist
Church?
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At the last count in 2007 the British Methodist Church had
267,257 members. There are over 800,000 people in Britain who have
an active connection with the Methodist Church. There are over 80
million such people across the world.
For more detailed figures, see statistics for mission
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I go to church so surely I already belong as a member of
the congregation?
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Yes, you do belong. But the Methodist Church also offers you the
chance to show another step of commitment by being 'confirmed' and
'received into membership'. This means that there is a service in
which you make promises - these are the same promises that are made
when someone is baptised. A prayer for the work of the Holy Spirit
in that person's life is also said in both services. If you have
already been confirmed in another denomination, you can be received
as a Methodist member by a simple act of welcome.
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What is the difference between Confirmation and being
'received into membership'?
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It is important to recognise publicly a growth in your maturity
as a committed Christian, and to witness to your faith, and for
that to be affirmed. Confirmation does that and many denominations
offer this rite. Confirmation is when you publicly confirm the
promises that you made, or were made on your behalf (if you were
baptised as a baby). In the service the minister lays his/her hands
on your head and says 'Lord, confirm [strengthen] your servant
(your name) by your Holy Spirit that she/he may continue yours for
ever.'
Being 'received into membership' means that you are welcomed into
a particular Methodist church (ie: usually your local church) which
can support you in your discipleship and where you can support
others. In the service, the minister welcomes you into membership
saying: 'We receive and welcome you as members of the Methodist
Church, and of the church in this place.' The minister and a
representative of the local church then shake your hand.
If you move to another Methodist church then you will not be
confirmed again, though when your membership is transferred to that
church, you will often be formally greeted by a handshake during a
service.
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Why do I need to become a 'member' in this
sense?
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Becoming a 'member' is a way of saying that you belong to and
support your local Methodist Church and that you want to do
this.
Being a member of the Methodist Church means that you can hold
certain responsibilities (e.g. steward, pastoral visitor, local
preacher). Only members can be on the church council or be elected
to the c ircuit meeting, district synod or the Methodist
Conference.
The promise of mutual support is one of Methodism's strengths.
When you become a member a pastoral visitor or a class leader is
responsible for visiting you and offering spiritual support,
encouragement and challenge.
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Do I have to be a member of the Methodist Church in
order to receive Holy Communion?
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No. Methodists believe that Holy Communion is itself a 'means of
grace' which may well draw you on to make further commitment to
Christ. Children also may receive Communion.
If you or your child(ren) have not been baptised, and you do
receive Communion, your minister will suggest that you consider
being baptised. (The Methodist Church has produced a small
colourful book, All This for You , about what baptism
means in the Methodist Church, to help adults and parents of
children think about what baptism means.)
If you are an adult, it may be the right time to consider
membership as well, and preparation will be offered to you.
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Where does the idea of 'membership' come
from?
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The Methodist Church used to be a religious society within the
Church of England rather than a separate Church. The terminology of
'membership' and the 'membership ticket' dates from that time and
has stuck.
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How old do I have to be in order to become a
member?
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There is no minimum age at which a person can become a member of
the Methodist Church. However you do need to be able to understand
the promises that you will be making in the service of Confirmation
and Reception into Membership.
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How do I become a member?
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Talk to your minister, who will let you know what arrangements
are possible locally to prepare you. There may be a group of people
in the church or the circuit, who are considering membership. It is
important that you have the chance to explore your own questions
about Christian faith and the particular witness that is offered in
the Methodist tradition.
The Methodist Church has produced a small colourful book, Called by Name about what it means to
be a member of the Methodist Church.
If after the time of preparation you still want to be confirmed
and received into membership then a service will be arranged when
this will take place.
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What do I have to believe or say to become a
member?
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The Service of Confirmation and Reception into Membership
includes two questions asked as an Affirmation of Faith: 'Do you
turn away from evil and all that denies God?' and 'Do you turn to
God, trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, and in the Holy
Spirit as Helper and Guide?' The answer to both questions is 'By
the grace of God I do.'
Everyone present is then asked to affirm their belief and trust
in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, as members
of the universal Church which has expressed its faith in the one
God through such as the Apostles' Creed over the centuries.
After confirmation and the reception, the newly-confirmed are
asked to make three promises: 'Will you commit yourself to the
Christian life of worship and service, and be open to the renewing
power of God?', 'Will you seek the strength of God's Spirit as you
accept the cost of following Jesus Christ in your daily life?' and
'Will you witness, by word and deed, to the good news of God in
Christ, and so bring glory to God?'. The response to each of these
is 'With God's help I will.'
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What are the obligations of membership?
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The membership ticket lists commitments that members of the
Methodist Church undertake:
As a member of the Methodist Church I am called to:
worship within the local church, including regular sharing in
Holy Communion, and through personal prayer
learning and caring , through Bible study and meeting for
fellowship, so that I may grow in faith and support others in their
discipleship
service , by being a good neighbour in the community, challenging
injustice and using my resources to support the Church in its
mission in the world
evangelism , through working out my faith in daily life and
sharing Christ with others.
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What is the membership ticket?
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Every member of the Methodist Church receives a membership
ticket at least once a year. This is signed by your minister and
give the details of your pastoral visitor or class leader.
Some members keep the card in their purse or wallet, other put in
on their mantelpiece or use it as a bookmark in their Bible. It
is a reminder of what you have taken on as a committed member
of the Church. These commitments are described above in the answer
to What are the obligations of membership?
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What if I don't want to stop being a member of another
Church as well?
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From the Methodist point of view, this is no problem. You may be
a member of the Methodist Church and a member of another
denomination . You would simply have to check with the Church you
belong to now, whether they allowed this 'extended'
membership.
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How is my membership transferred from one Methodist
Church to another?
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Normally when you move from one Methodist Church to another, the
minister of your old Methodist Church contacts the minister of the
new church - (assuming s/he knows where you are moving to). If this
does not happen, speak to the minister of your new church and they
will contact your previous minister.
Often your new church will want to acknowledge your transfer of
membership and formally welcome you. This may happen as part of a
service during which the minister and a representative of your new
church greet you with a handshake (as happens when a person is
received into membership for the first time).
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Can I hold my membership in two different Methodist
churches at the same time?
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Unfortunately this is not possible. However you remain a full
member of the Methodist across the Connexion as long as your
membership is held in one local church. There is no reason when you
shouldn't take a full part in the life of another church which you
also attend. You can even hold most offices - for example, local
preachers who are members in one circuit can study and preach in
another circuit where they live for part of the time, with the
agreement of the circuit superintendents.
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I don't go to a Methodist Church, but would like to
register centrally as a member.
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Membership is held in a particular local Methodist Church, or in
a Local Ecumenical Partnership in which Methodism has a stake.
Because of this local dimension, a central register is not
possible.
If you never attend your local Methodist Church at which your
membership is held, your name will probably be removed from the
list by the minister, unless you talk it through and explain the
links you want to keep.
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For further information
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To enquire about being confirmed and becoming a member of the
Methodist Church, it is best to speak to your minister.
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The Methodist Church has published two useful books:
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Called by Name - being
a member in the Methodist Church
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All
This for You - the meaning of Baptism in the Methodist
Church
These are available from
Methodist Publishing, priced £3.50 each (plus postage and
packing: £1.50 orders under £5.00, £3.00 orders over £5.00).
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Details of the Confirmation and Reception into Membership
Service are in the Methodist Worship Book. Your church or
minister should be able to lend you a copy.
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A Catechism for the use of people called Methodists is a small
booklet that gives you more information about what Methodists
believe. Again this is available from
Methodist Publishing.
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For other enquires relating to membership, contact the Helpdesk at
Methodist Church House.
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