Join our community. Be a part of something big.
At Rainbow City FUMC, membership is not a destination or a status; it’s a journey of following Jesus as his servant. The best way to start your journey is to get connected in worship, small groups, and service areas. Formal membership is a way of saying you’re committed to the journey of faith.
All members of Christ’s universal church are called to a life-long process of deepening their connection with God through faith and understanding. They are also called to share in the ministry that Jesus entrusts to his church, becoming servants of Christ in the local and worldwide community. This service is performed in family life, daily work, recreation and social activities, responsible citizenship, the stewardship of resources, and in loving charity toward others.
We believe that a local congregation of Christians provides the most significant arena through which these dynamics of growing in and serving in faith are lived out. Together, we the church become the sign, foretaste, instrument, and witness of the renewal, transformation, and life God envisions for all people.
RBCFUMC welcomes into membership all who profess Jesus as Lord and Savior and are ready to publicly commit to support the mission and vision of our church through their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service, and their witness. The following steps can guide you in making this commitment:
• Attend worship regularly for about six months. The specific time is not important, but we do feel that membership is a response to the working of the spirit in your life. Spending time in community enables you to grow relationships that can help you respond.
• Get involved in a small group or Sunday school class.
• Get involved in a regular service opportunity.
• Make an appointment to meet with the pastor to discuss your faith journey and/or be a part of a Q&A session to get to know more about the church.
Complete this form to share your contact information as you are preparing for membership or to update your membership records. Or, you can call the church office and we'll be glad to handle change on the phone.
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Baptism is the sacrament or ritual through which we are initiated into the universal church. It is an outward and visible sign of God’s act of incorporating us into his salvation and giving us new birth through water and the Spirit. You must be baptized to become a member of Rainbow City FUMC. If you were baptized in another church as either an adult or child it is not necessary to be baptized at RBCFUMC before becoming a member. We recognize baptisms from other churches and denominations.
If you are interested in joining Rainbow City First United Methodist Church, see our pastor who will go over issues such as your faith, whether you have been baptized and if you have been a member of another church before.
An older child who can speak for him- or herself (usually at least 6th grade) may join as a “professing member,” which means he/she is actively professing faith in Jesus and making the same commitments as you. A younger child or anyone who cannot answer for him- or herself may become a “baptized member” if he/she is baptized when you join or was previously baptized elsewhere. Baptized members will have an opportunity to become professing members when they are ready.
No; you should get connected in one of the many grow and serve opportunities at RBCFUMC before becoming a member. Most leadership positions are only open to members.
Consistent with biblical teaching, we expect all members to give back God in proportion to their income, with the tithe being the goal. Attaining to this goal is a years-long process for most people. God honors our faithfulness and blesses even the smallest gift. Your acceptance at RBCFUMC is not based upon your capacity to give.
You may join by transferring your membership to RBCFUMC. We will help coordinate this transfer with your previous congregation. If you have been baptized, but do not know the status of your membership in another church, you can join our church by profession of faith and reaffirmation of the baptismal covenant. The pastor will speak with you about the best way to transfer your membership.
No. Baptism signifies God’s act of salvation, so it is only performed once. You can reaffirm your baptismal vows. However, if you have never been baptized, you must be in order to become a full professing member.