Quicklinks :: About
Church Membership
So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Romans 12:5, NIV
At Ebenezer Church, we try to help individuals find meaning for life through a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. We also help people discover the joy of personal growth through study, worship, fellowship, and service. Perhaps Ebenezer's loving community of committed followers of Jesus Christ will become the church that you call "home."
If you need to register for an upcoming Coffee with the Pastor, click here.
Frequently Asked Question
- What is Ebenezer church membership?
- How do I become a member of Ebenezer?
- Is childcare provided during the Coffee With the Pastor programs?
- Do I have to pre-register to attend a Coffee With the Pastor program?
- Where do I go and what do I do the evening of the Coffee With the Pastor?
- Is attending a Coffee With the Pastor the only requirement for Ebenezer membership?
- How can I learn more about the declarations and commitments of membership?
- What is the process for making the declarations to God and the church assembly?
- Is baptism a requirement of membership?
- May my child become a member at the same time I do?
- Do I have to sign anything to become a member?
- Does Ebenezer offer any help for me in meeting the membership declarations and commitments?
- Do I have to be a member to get connected in a ministry, small group or service area at Ebenezer?
What is Ebenezer church membership?
Membership is an expression of commitment to Jesus Christ and to the mission and vision of Ebenezer United Methodist Church.
How do I become a member of Ebenezer?
The first step to becoming a member is to attend one of our Coffee With the Pastor - Membership Orientation programs. The Coffee With the Pastor schedule shows the dates for upcoming programs.
At the Coffee With the Pastor, you will get the opportunity to meet and visit with the Pastor and some of the church staff while enjoying coffee/tea and desserts at a small reception. After the reception, we convene in an informal classroom setting and share information about Ebenezer Church and the commitments of Ebenezer membership. Attendance at a Coffee With the Pastor program does not commit you to membership, but attendance is required if you wish to become a member.
Is childcare provided during the Coffee With the Pastor programs?
Yes, we provide childcare.
Do I have to pre-register to attend a Coffee With the Pastor program?
Pre-registration for a Coffee With the Pastor program is requested. This gives us an idea of how many people will be attending and how many children will require childcare. You may pre-register by calling the church office, 540-659-1349; at the Information Desk in the Narthex between worship services; or online at Coffee With the Pastor Registration.
Where do I go and what do I do the evening of the Coffee With the Pastor?
We hold the Coffee With the Pastor programs in the Ministry Center. There will be signs directing you and we will have volunteers from the Membership Ministry available to assist you as required.
If you require childcare, your first step would be to go to the main church building to drop off the children in room 23. You can then proceed to the Ministry Center via the back door. Your next stop of the evening should be at our check-in table where you will be asked to sign-in, receive a name tag, and provide a completed Family Household Roll form. This form asks for information about you and your family and helps us get to know you better. For those who pre-registered, you should have received a Family Household Roll form in the mail. If so, please bring the completed form with you. If you do not receive one of these forms, or do not bring it with you, we will give you a blank form to complete when you check-on.
As part of the check-in process, you will be given a packet of literature that contains information about Ebenezer church and the commitments of membership.
After check-in, you will be asked to have your picture taken. This is another aid in helping us get to know you better. You will then be invited to go into the reception area, have some refreshments, and mingle with the Pastor, some of the Ebenezer staff, and Membership Ministry volunteers. After the reception, you will be invited to the orientation portion of the evening.
Is attending a Coffee With the Pastor the only requirement for Ebenezer membership?
No, another requirement of membership is for you to make a commitment to Jesus Christ and to our church. We ask that you prayerfully consider these commitments and that you only become a member at Ebenezer if and when you are ready to make and meet these commitments.
The commitments to Jesus Christ are declarations that you make to God and the church assembly. Those declarations are:
- That Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior.
- That you desire to live a Godly and Holy life.
- That you will be God's witness wherever you might be or wherever life takes you.
- That you will support Ebenezer with your prayers, presence, gifts, and service.
The commitments to Ebenezer Church that we ask you to make are:
- Attend worship services every week unless you are sick or out of town.
- Pursue at least one means of growing in your faith in addition to the weekly worship service.
- Serve in one area of the church at least once every year.
- Grow toward the tithe, in proportion to your income.
How can I learn more about the declarations and commitments of membership?
Information on the declarations and commitments of Ebenezer membership are explained in detail at our Coffee With the Pastor - Membership Orientation programs. If you require additional information after the Coffee With the Pastor, you are encouraged to call the church office and setup an appointment with the Pastor or the Director of Adult Ministries.
What is the process for making the declarations to God and the church assembly?
The declarations you will be asked to make to God and the church assembly are your membership vows, which are administered by the Pastor. You may make these declarations in one of the following ways: 1) in the Chapel immediately following the Coffee With the Pastor program, the church assembly will be part of the Membership Ministry team; 2) during a worship service at the altar, the church assembly will be the congregation; or, 3) if a more private setting is desired, in the Pastor's office. More information on the procedures will be provided at the Coffee With the Pastor - Membership Orientation program. You may also come back to another Coffee With the Pastor at a later date and join in the chapel that evening.
If you would like your family or children present when you take your membership vows, please feel free to invite them. If you decide to take your vows during a worship service, they may accompany you to the altar when you take the vows.
Is baptism a requirement of membership?
Yes, if you have never been baptized, you must be baptized to become a member. You may do this at the same time you take your membership vows, or prior to that ceremony. Contact the church office to work out all the details.
If you were baptized in another church as either an adult or child, it is not necessary to be baptized at Ebenezer before becoming a member. Our church recognizes baptisms from other churches and denominations. If it is your desire, however, to reaffirm your faith at Ebenezer through baptism, we would be happy to help schedule this for you.
May my child become a member at the same time I do?
Once a year we offer confirmation training for children in grades 8-12. The purpose of confirmation training is to allow young people to explore the Christian faith in depth and make a personal decision about Jesus Christ and church membership. If your child is under 18 and has been through confirmation training, they may become members at the same time as you. Children 18 and over must attend a Coffee With the Pastor - Membership Orientation prior to becoming a member.
Do I have to sign anything to become a member?
Yes, we ask that you complete a Membership Commitment form and a Serving in Ministry form.
The Membership Commitment form tells us that you are aware of and are ready to meet the membership declarations and commitments of Ebenezer. The form also tells us the date and time when you would like to take your membership vows and tells us whether or not you need to be baptized. We use this form when completing many of the administrative tasks required to ensure your membership process is handled as smoothly as possible.
The Serving in Ministry form enables you to identify areas in which you would like to become connected, such as a small group, ministry or service area.
Does Ebenezer offer any help for me in meeting the membership declarations and commitments?
Yes, Ebenezer most definitely helps you meet the commitments of membership. Ebenezer has numerous programs designed to help you grow stronger and deeper in your faith and commitment to Jesus Christ. Included are:
- Quality worship services and sermons.
- Opportunities to grow in your faith through our small groups, Bible studies, Sunday school, and adult classes.
- Service opportunities where you will be able to use your Spiritual gifts, passions, abilities, personality, and life experiences.
- Care, prayers, and help when you or a family member experiences illnesses and other difficulties.
- Outreach and annual financial giving statements.
- More details are provided at the Coffee With the Pastor.
Do I have to be a member to get connected in a ministry, small group or service area at Ebenezer?
No, you are encouraged to get connected in a ministry, service, or small group at Ebenezer whether becoming a member or not. We do, however, require our leaders to be church members.