In my last article in this space, I wrote about our membership vows in the United Methodist Church. Although most people reading this have been members of our church for some time, it is important to remember just what we promise when we join a church. And it is important to know that every time we hold Confirmation or receive new members by transfer, those present reaffirm their membership vows. Church membership is more than just a guaranteed location for your funeral—it means something. In joining a church, you make promises, and the congregation pledges their support. Membership is important.  So, in the last newsletter, I discussed the traditional United Methodist understanding of promising our “prayers, presence, gifts, and service.”

Those four words have been central to our conception of membership for decades. So it is important to note that last year, an addition was made. Until our hymnal is updated (which will be several years at least), I will be reminding us every time we receive new members that we now pledge our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and WITNESS.

United Methodist Christians are now expected to be active not only by praying, attending, giving, and serving, but also by witnessing to their faith. So just what does it mean to witness?

Does it mean we bang on doors and invite people to church? Does it mean we pass out gospel tracts? Does it mean we put Christian bumper stickers on our cars? Well, it COULD mean each of these. We can witness to our faith in different ways. At its core, a witness is one who knows something, and tells about it. In court, a witness saw or otherwise gained knowledge and tells the court what they know.

As Christians, we know something that is worth sharing. We know the love of Christ. We know the comfort of the Holy Spirit’s presence. We know the joy of a meaningful life lived to the glory of One far greater than ourselves. We know the power of the promise of resurrection. 

And as responsible Christians, we should share this good news. This summer, think about ways that you can witness to your faith. It may sound intimidating, but it does not mean that you have to approach every stranger you see and share your personal testimony. It does mean, though, that your life—your words, actions, and attitudes, should demonstrate that Christ lives in you.

As Christians, our lives ought to speak to God’s love, presence, and eternal promise. If your life does, then you are witnessing to your faith. May we all.

See you on Sunday,

Pastor Eric