wings
The seven vows of membership
I concluded my last column with this quote from Paragraph 217 of the 2004 Book of Discipline: "When persons unite with a local United Methodist church, they, or, if unable to answer for themselves, their parent(s), legal guardian(s), sponsor(s) or godparent(s), profess their faith in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; in Jesus Christ his only Son, and in the Holy Spirit. Thus they make known their desire to live their daily lives as disciples of Jesus Christ. They covenant together with God and with the members of the local church to keep the vows which are a part of the order of confirmation and reception into the Church."
You may be asking yourself, "What are these vows that we commit to as members of The United Methodist Church?" From the Book of Discipline, here are seven vows that all members make at the time of confirmation and reception into the Church.
1. To renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of the world, and repent of their sin. We have committed ourselves to joining with the triune God in opposing wickedness and evil and to ask forgiveness for our participation in wrongdoing.
2. To accept the freedom and power God gives them to resist evil, injustice, and oppression. We could spend a year studying just this one vow. I contend that we often mistakenly see this as just a commitment to live a good and moral life. Many members interpret this vow as actively opposing the "wickedness and evil in individuals, organizations, institutions and systems." There are historic examples in which the Church took such action: The fight both within and outside the church as we opposed slavery. Our continual struggle to liberate people from their dependence on alcohol and other drugs. Our stand for the full inclusion of women in places of authority in church and society. And, of course, our advocacy for children and youth that continues today. Can you think of other ways the Church supports this vow?
3. To confess Jesus Christ as Savior, put their whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve Him as their Lord. This is a call to live a life that affirms and testifies to others the one that redeemed us and the one we now follow. We are called not to worry about our past failings but to realize and live in God's love.
4. To remain faithful members of Christ's holy church and serve as Christ's representatives in the world. Not only are we to stay put in the church, but we are to be authentically active in speech as well as deed as we "re-present" Christ to the world.
5. To be loyal to The United Methodist Church and do all in their power to strengthen its ministries. This, for some people, is a sticky one. "I don't mind being faithful to God, but to The United Methodist Church? Well. I'm not sure about that." I am reminded of a comment the character Lucy once made in the "Peanuts" comic strip. She says, "Loving God? I believe I can do that. But that part about loving others - uh, God, we may have a problem here."
Yet, I contend that the Church should seek your loyalty and expect it. No matter how many times we let God down, God remains faithful. We are called to stick with the Church.
6. To faithfully participate in its ministries by their prayers, their presence, their gifts, and their service. We are a part of the Church to serve - not to be served. If we can wrap our minds around this premise, we can be faithful.
7. To receive and profess the Christian faith as contained in the Old and New Testaments. This is why we should participate in "Disciple" Bible study, small group experiences, Sunday school, pastor's classes, confirmation and all other learning opportunities. How can you receive and profess that which you do not know about?
How many times have you really studied the vows of membership? I admit they are overwhelming to me, even when I only take a glancing look. But I am reminded that "... greater is He that is within you than he that is in the world." We will meet again in the next edition to continue our discussion.
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