Our mission is to discover, develop and deploy
passionate spiritual leaders who make disciples of Jesus Christ
for the transformation of the world!
From Professions of Faith to Baptisms and receiving New Members this is the work of the local church. For how we live into the mission and vision Christ has for the local church, we turn to the words of Jesus in Matthew 28: 19-20:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The less glamorous side of making disciples is keeping track of the numbers, but when we turn to scripture we see that counting was very important to the early church as well!
For instance, we hear of Peter, the Apostle on the very first Pentecost taking the Good News out into the streets of Jerusalem:
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.”...So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added." Acts 2:38-42
And because of their faithfulness: "day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved." Acts 2:47
John Wesley and the early Methodists were also meticulous in keeping track of their records - as a way of celebrating and also holding one another accountable in Christian Love.
Below are some useful tools for local churches to keep track of those who are being added to that number!
Please contact Ken Willard if you have an idea or resource you'd like to share. And thank you for your faithfulness!
Acts 2:42-47
read by sisters and brothers in Christ across the WVUMC!
Local church pastors and Membership Secretaries resources gathered in one place!
Why do local church statistics matter?
Membership Secretary job description
A helpful flow chart regarding membership records and letters of transfer
Letters of Transfer, Membership Records and Forms to download
Forms to download and use (these are fillable PDFs)
To request transfer of membership (to send to former church)
Baptism and Membership in the United Methodist Church
Follow this link for FAQ's about what we believe as United Methodists about baptism and membership, including a link to the official United Methodist resource: By Water and the Spirit.
Follow this link for additional Membership and Baptism resources from UMC Discipleship Ministries.