Exploring Membership at St. Luke's UMC

“Building the Kingdom by Building Disciples” is our purpose as followers of Jesus at St. Luke’s. If you are interested in fulfilling that calling through membership we believe there are some basic “building blocks” that are essential to have in place before joining.

The following questions will help you determine if you are ready to take this step. After prayerful consideration, if you can answer yes to each of them then you are ready to take the membership vows. If there is an area/s you need to explore in greater depth, there are learning communities available to help prepare you more fully.

Are you attending worship on a regular schedule, preferable weekly?
Please visit our worship page for worship times and weekly themes.

Do you have a basic understanding of the Scriptures?
Learning Community: “The Bible in Twelve Words with Pastor Bill”
Check out the DVD’s and study guide of “The Bible in Twelve Words” from the St. Luke’s library. These DVD’s contain a recording of Pastor Bill’s sermon series from last fall in which he taught on one word per week that encapsulated a major theme of the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation as well as addressed how we can interpret and understand the Bible today. He also teaches an hour long, weekly group on Thursday evenings from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in B209, called “Exegesis,” that digs deeper into the scripture from weekly worship.

Do you have a basic understanding of the vision/mission of St. Luke’s and the theology of the United Methodist Church?
Learning Community: “Why I’m a United Methodist at St. Luke’s”
First, visit About page and Core Values page to see our core values, vision and mission statements.
Second, visit www.umc.org to learn more about what it means to be a United Methodist. If you’re interested in knowing more, there’s a link on umc.org to a self-directed online course you can access for a small fee of $9.99 called “United Methodism 101,” however, you must register no later than January 31. There will be another window of opportunity opening in April or May to take this course.

Are you managing God-given talents, spiritual gifts and monetary assets as a responsible steward and are you giving proportionately with the goal of tithing?
It is an expectation that all members will discover their Spiritual Gifts through St. Luke’s Kingdom Building. This opportunity is designed to help you identify how you can significantly and joyfully serve at St. Luke’s. God made you special, gifted you and led you here. It’s fun to find out how and why! You will have an opportunity to take the spiritual gifts inventory during the one required membership session you will participate in before joining. If you have already taken the spiritual gifts inventory this will be a chance to explore your gifts further and how you can use them at St. Luke’s.

Are you sufficiently confident about sharing an invitation to others (co-workers, family, friends and neighbors) to visit St. Luke’s and are you willing to meet them, greet them and guide them when they do?
Witness and evangelism can seem intimidating, but what if it were as simple as learning to be intentional in our relationships and friendships? “More Ready than You Realize,” a book by Brian McLaren, is a great resource that can help you embrace some new understandings of spiritual friendships and our call to be witnesses in our community. It is available to be checked out from the St. Luke’s library. For more information about this or upcoming “simply invite” opportunities, please contact Pastor Jenn at jstileswilliams@st.lukes.org or 407-876-4991 ext. 297.

Have you found a way to connect with others here at St. Luke’s on your spiritual journey outside of your Sunday worship experience?
For a listing of all our of our growth group opportunities, please visit the Growth Groups page or call Jeanne Gall at 407-876-4991 ext. 268 for more information. call Jeanne Gall at 407-876-4991 ext. 268 for more information. There are also many other groups to connect with including affi nity groups, care groups and service groups.

Are you serving others in and beyond the St. Luke’s family in ways that reflect mercy, justice and love?
For a listing of all of our missional opportunities please visit the Deploy webpage. You may also call Miriam Mengistie at 407-876-4991 ext. 313 for more information on our local opportunities or Carolyn Green at 407-876-4991 ext. 239 for more information on our global opportunities.

If you would like to move forward at this time with membership at this time, there are two opportunities this Winter/Spring.
Two required sessions will be offered per opportunity.
One session is offered Wednesday, February 8, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. The other session is offered on Sunday, February 12, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon in the Fellowship Hall. You will join at the service of your choice on Sunday, February 19.

One required session will be offered on Sunday, April 15, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall or Wednesday, April 18, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. The other session is offered on Sunday, April 22, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon in the Fellowship Hall. You will join at the service of your choice on Sunday, April 29.

For registration information, please contact Jeanne Gall at 407-876-4991 ext. 268 or at jgall@st.lukes.org.

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