. . . so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.
Romans 12:5b
Joining the BridgeView Family
We are so glad that you want to know more about membership at BridgeView! Whether you have visited us once or many many times, we pray that you have found us to be a place where you can grow in your Christian faith through worship as well as study and service with other believers. We truly hope that you have found a home here where you feel loved, challenged, and comforted!
Whether you are ready to join or you are still prayerfully considering it, we hope that you will find the answers to your questions on this page. However, you are always welcome to speak to Pastor Allen Carson at 307-9611.
Why should I join?
You've heard the old African proverb that it takes a village to raise a child. Well, the truth is that it takes a church to raise a Christian. We need one another. We need to pray for one another, to learn from one another, to encourage one another, and at times to challenge one another. We need other Christians to journey with us as we grow in our Christian faith. Members are those who have committed to journeying together.
Unfortunately, we often associate the word membership with clubs and associations. But membership in the church is a very different type of belonging. Being a member of a church requires first of all a commitment to Christ and secondly it requires a commitment to a particular worshiping community with a specific mission and particular values. When you join in ministry with us at BridgeView, you are also joining in ministry with United Methodist Christians throughout the world. That is why we ask new members for a promise to support BridgeView and the United Methodist Church with their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service and their witness.
But membership also means that we at BridgeView are committed to supporting you with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness. Membership at BridgeView initiates you into a new and bigger Christian family!
How do I become a member?
You may become a member in one of the following ways:
- Transfer of Membership from another United Methodist Church—If you are currently an active member of another United Methodist Church , you may choose to have your membership transferred. We will ask if you will faithfully support this congregation with “your prayers, your presence, your gifts and your service.”
- Transfer of Membership from another denomination—If you are currently an active member of another denomination, you may choose to have your membership dropped from their rolls and become a member here. We recognize all types of Christian baptism and will not require you to be re-baptized regardless of when and how old you were when you were baptized. We will ask you to be loyal to the United Methodist Church and to faithfully support this congregation with “your prayers, your presence, your gifts and your service.”
- Reaffirmation of Faith—If you have been baptized at some point in your life, but have not been actively involved in a church for quite some time, you may join by reaffirmation of your faith. We will ask you if you believe in Jesus Christ and if you will affirm your faith as found in both the old and New Testaments. We will then ask you to be loyal to the United Methodist Church and to faithfully support this congregation with “your prayers, your presence, your gifts and your service.”
- Confession/Profession of Faith— If you have never been baptized and have never made a decision to express your commitment to Christ or never actually joined a church, you may join by confession of your faith and Christian baptism. If you have been baptized but have never joined a church or confirmed your faith, you may join by profession of faith.
When can I become a member?
There is an opportunity to join BridgeView at every worship service. You are welcome to come forward when the pastor issues the invitation and join BridgeView by any of the methods listed above. If you wish, you may contact us and let us know that you plan to join on a particular Sunday, but that is not necessary.
What about my children? Can they be members?
Children who have already received Christian baptism, but who have not confessed their faith in Jesus Christ, will be enrolled as preparatory members of BridgeView until they are old enough to participate in confirmation classes. Youth may choose to join on profession of faith and they will be enrolled in our next confirmation class.
Children and youth who have not yet been baptized are still a very important part of our community! And we will pray and work toward the day that they are baptized and confess their faith.
The baptism of infants and children is a special moment in the life of the church. We schedule Baptisms as needed and Confirmation classes for youth are offered periodically with a special confirmation service the following spring. If you wish to have your child baptized, please contact the church office.
