Through the Sacrament of Baptism
we are initiated into Christ's holy Church.
We are incorporated into God's mighty acts of salvation
and given new birth through water and the Spirit.
All this is God's gift, offered to us without price.
Membership in Belmont United Methodist Church begins with God’s grace offered to us through the Sacrament of Baptism. The United Methodist Church honors a Christian baptism performed in any Christian denomination. You can become a member of Belmont United Methodist Church by:
- Infant and child baptism. We believe that God’s grace and love is always flowing to us from our first moment of life. Baptism and salvation is an act of God's Love and grace more than a matter of our human strivings. God’s grace comes to us before we believe, through faithful family, our congregation, experiences and the Holy Spirit within us (we call this prevenient grace). When we profess our faith we speak of justifying grace that enlivens in Christ, names our forgiveness, and transforms us from sinful patterns. Sanctifying grace helps shape us into more Christlike living. Because Baptism is about God’s blessings and presence with us we baptize infants and children of parents committed to raising their children inside the church.
- Profession of your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. We remember and celebrate those professing their faith or confirming their faith who were baptized as children and offer baptism for all professing faith who have not yet been baptized.
- Renewal of Christian vows if you have been an inactive member of another church.
- Transfer of membership from a United Methodist church or another denomination.
- Affiliate or associate membership for those who wish to retain your membership in another church - such as their hometown church. For example a college student may want to become an affiliate member during their 4 years in Nashville as Belmont is their college home church!
If you choose to become a member of our church, you will be asked to stand before the congregation and profess your faith by answering the following question:
Will you be a loyal member of the United Methodist church and do all in your power to uphold its ministries? As a member of this congregation, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness?
Contact a staff member for information about joining:
Paul Purdue, Senior Pastor
Heather Harriss, Pastor of Spiritual Care and Connection
Kate Fields, Pastor of Children’s Ministry and Discipleship
Emma Bushong, Director of Ministry with Young People
Matt Webb, Director of Music Ministries
Hunter Wade, Belmont Wesley Fellowship Director
Click here for more information about Belmont UMC.
Click here to learn more about the beliefs of the United Methodist Church.
CONFIRMATION
Although confirmation is not a sacrament in the United Methodist Church, it is an important step along one’s spiritual journey. In the United Methodist Church, confirmation is an opportunity for people to recognize God’s work of grace in their lives and embrace being disciples of Jesus Christ.
At Belmont UMC, our middle school students participate in Confirmation class during Sunday school over the course of their 7th and 8th grade years. This two-year journey culminates with an opportunity for members of the class to stand before the congregation and profess their faith. Confirmation is a day of commitment and celebration in the life of an individual and the church. For more information about our Confirmation class, please contact Emma Bushong, Director of Ministry with Young People.