Saturday, February 15, 2014

Membership Vows in practice

Remember those "five practices" that were such a big deal a few years ago in the UMC? (salty service, radical hospitality, etc...) 

Well Bishop Mike Coyner from the Indiana conference connected them to the five membership vows-. Check it out....

  1. Our promise to support the church by our “presence” is a part of our effort to offer “Radical Hospitality” to all persons.  My promise of “presence” is not fulfilled just by my showing up at the church; no I am promising to make our church a place where everyone’s presence is invited, expected, and welcomed.
  2. Our promise to support the church by our “prayers” is a part of the practice of making our church a place of “passionate worship.”  I am promising to pray for my church, its leaders, its people, and its mission in such a way that demonstrates my desire to see my church become a place of passionate, heart-felt worship.
  3. Our promise to support the church by our “witness” is all about engaging in Intentional Faith Development.  For me to be a good witness – whether that be in sharing my faith with another person, or carrying a sign to march for justice – must grow out of my own intentional growth in grace and holiness.
  4. Our promise to support the church by our “service” is about joining and leading the church in Risk-Taking Mission and Service.  It more than just serving on a committee in the church, it is taking the risk to help our church serve beyond its walls.
  5. Our promise to support the church by our “gifts” is about moving beyond offerings and support of the church budget, all the way toward engaging in Extravagant Generosity” and leading my church to be extravagantly generous beyond paying its own bills.

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