Q: If I'm not a church member, can I still participate in the Lord's Supper and take Holy Communion?
A: Yes. As United Methodists, we believe that God's grace is available "free in all, and free to all" through Jesus Christ. We therefore believe in the practice of an open table that is available to all. In partaking of the Lord's Supper, we remember who God is as revealed in Jesus Christ, and we are reminded that we are redeemed children of God. Just like in most United Methodist churches, Holy Communion is served the first Sunday of each month.
Q: We have been visiting First United Methodist Church for some time. We believe this church could be right for us, but we're not yet ready to join. Is there a limit to how long we can continue attending before joining?
A: While there's no limit to the number of times you can visit, at some point you likely will want to move from being an interested observer and worshiper to being a committed member. If you are seeking a new church home, we would welcome the opportunity to visit with you about becoming a member of First United Methodist Church. To learn more, call 940-422-5144, or speak with the pastor after our worship services.
Q: Do I have to be a Methodist to join First United Methodist Church?
A: No. If you are already a member of any other denomination, we simply ask you to "be loyal to The United Methodist Church, and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries" when you join. If you have not been baptized, the sacrament of baptism will be administered as a means of celebrating God's invitation to become a "member of The Body of Christ."
Q: Can I join First United Methodist Church without standing at the front altar of the sanctuary?
A: No, and here's why: when you join the United Methodist Church, you're not the only one who is making a commitment. Through our church liturgy, the congregation not only receives you into membership, but also makes a commitment to do all in their power to increase your faith, confirm your hope, and prefect you in love. That's a pretty big commitment, and so the congregation needs to see the person they are committing to: you! For more information about joining our congregation, and the UMC, just ask the pastor.
Q: How is the United Methodist church organized, and how are decisions made?
A: Our congregation is one part of the greater United Methodist Church denomination. The UMC has a democratic structure much like the United States government, with a separation of powers between the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of leadership.The highest administration of the denomination is called the General Conference, which meets every four years, to make and revise legislative changes in The Book of Discipline. However, the Annual Conference (such as our Northwest Texas Conference) is the basic unit of organization within the United Methodist Church, which is made up of every UMC congregation in the region, and is served by a resident bishop. The conferences are subdivided into districts; First United Methodist Church is part of the Abilene District of the Northwest Texas Conference, which is served by a district superintendent. Officers and lay leaders of First United Methodist Church Munday are nominated and then approved at an annual Church Conference, and these people are responsible for determining our congregation's priorities and budgets as well as supporting our various ministries.