The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Local churches provide the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs. (The Book of Discipline 2008, Para. 120, 87)
St. Luke United Methodist Church has a rich history and a strong heartbeat. At the center of our life are the things we care most deeply about. These values and passions keep us grounded and full of hope for our future.
How to Become a Member of St. Luke
There are several layers of church membership in the United Methodist Church.
For those coming to faith for the first time in Jesus Christ as young adults or adults, the vows of baptism and church membership are accompanied by public baptism. You are then a Confessing Member of the universal church, The United Methodist Church, and of our local church- St. Luke.
For those baptized as infants or children, we offer a yearly Confirmation Class which is basically a short course in Christian basics. This class is offered to students who have reached at least the sixth grade. It begins in January each year and culminates on Palm Sunday- the Sunday before Easter - with the students renewing the vows of baptism and confession of faith first made by their parents on their behalf years ago.
For Christian parents who wish to have their children baptized, there is instruction from the pastor followed by baptism. This child becomes a Baptized Member of the church and will later make their own confession of faith at Confirmation. All baptisms are part of the regular Sunday Service. Baptism is also not to be repeated. The first one counts! If the parents are not church members, they join the church that same day as well
The UMC also allows persons to be Affiliate or Associate Members if you wish to also hold membership in another denomination or another United Methodist Church.
The UMC Service of baptism (PDF) can be viewed by clicking here.
The official document fleshing out our theology and practice of baptism may be found at this site.
