Hey Friends,
My church celebrated confirmation last month. I had a couple people reach out to me and ask what I used. I am not aware of any official liturgy from the Global Methodist Church.
Here is what I wrote. Please feel free to use. Attribution is appreciated.
An Abbreviated Confirmation Liturgy
By David Wesley Donnan
Introduction
Introduction by Leader: Confirmation is the process of learning about the church and what it means to be a life-long follower of Jesus Christ.
[Names of Confirmation Class Students] have devoted themselves to [number of sessions] of study, prayer, and worship. This has included [list description of activities. For us this usually includes a retreat to Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons, GA, weekly classes, and a trip to Savannah, GA to walk in John Wesley’s steps].
Each one of these students has individually expressed their desires to join as a member at [Church Name].
Questions to Candidates
Leader: Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Have you put your faith in Him? Will you commit your life to follow the Triune God and follow Him all the days of your life?
Response from Candidate(s): I Will.
Leader: Will you be faithful to the [Church Name] and the ministries of the Global Methodist Church with your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness? Will you strive to make disciples of Jesus Christ who worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly?
Response from Candidate(s): I will
Leader: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow!
Leader to Congregation: Will you reaffirm your vows to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ at the [Church Name] and in the ministries of the Global Methodist Church with your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness? Will you continue to strive to make disciples of Jesus Christ who worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly? Will you love, nurture, and care for your new brothers and sisters here today?
Congregation Response: We Will.
Leader: Let me be the first to welcome you all as new members to [Church Name].
For a Printable Version of this Document Click here for PDF and here for DOCX versions.
More From David
What is Baptism in the Global Methodist Church?
January 26, 2024
What is baptism in the Global Methodist Church (GMC)?
While working on my sermon on Jesus’ baptism I compiled a list of what the Global Methodist Church. No need for it stay only in a personal folder. Here is my compilation. Please share what you find helpful. I am always open to feedback if you see anything that needs clarity or correcting.
Here are the foundational documents we have at the moment.
The Catechism
The GMC has “an educative and regulative formulation of doctrine” document in a question and answer format called a catechism. In A Catechism of Christian Faith and Doctrine for the Global Methodist Church we have information about baptism found in in questions 33, 34, 40, 41, and 42. Here they are:
33. Do you believe that there is but one baptism?
Yes. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. (Eph. 4:4-6.)
34. What is Baptism?
Baptism signifies entrance into the household of faith and is a symbol of repentance and inner cleansing from sin, a representation of the new birth in Christ Jesus, and a mark of Christian discipleship. (Acts 2:37-39; Rom. 6:1-5; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Gal. 3:27-28; Col. 2:11-14; Heb. 10:19-22; CoF VI.)
40. How many Sacraments are there?
Two Sacraments are ordained by Christ our Lord, namely Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. (2 Kgs. 5:14; Isa. 44:3; Ezek. 36:25-27; Mark 14:22-24; Matt. 26:26-28; 28:19; Luke 22:19-20; John 3:5; 6:53- 58; Acts 22:16; CoF VI.)
41. May we baptize children?
Yes. We believe children are under the atonement of Christ and as heirs of the Kingdom of God are acceptable subjects for Christian Baptism. (Luke 18:15-17; Acts 10:44-48; 16:15, 30-34; 18:8; 1 Cor. 1:16; CoF VI.)
42. Is Baptism sufficient for salvation?
No. Baptized children should be nurtured and led to personal acceptance of Christ, and by profession of faith confirm their Baptism. (Deut. 6:20-25; Mark 16:16; John 1:12; 3:16; Acts 2:38; 16:29-34; Rom. 10:9-11; CoF VI.)
From the Transitional Book of Doctrines and Disciplines there is information of baptism found in
- the Nicene Creed (A.D. 381),
- Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church
- Article XVI – Of the Sacraments
- Article XVII – Of Baptism
- The Confession of Faith of the Evangelical United Brethren Church
- Article VI – The Sacraments
- Paragraph 304 – Ministry of Laity
- Paragraph 314 – The Meaning of Baptism
- Paragraph 315 – The Mode and Practice of Baptism
Nicene Creed
“We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins”
Article of Religion of the Methodist Church XVI – Of Sacraments
“Sacraments ordained of Christ are not only badges or tokens of Christian men’s profession, but rather they are certain signs of grace, and God’s good will toward us, by which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm, our faith in him.
There are two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel; that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord.
The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to be gazed upon, or to be carried about; but that we should duly use them. And in such only as worthily receive the same, they have a wholesome effect or operation; but they that receive them unworthily, purchase to themselves condemnation, as St. Paul saith.”
Article of Religion of the Methodist Church Article XVII – Of Baptism
“Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christians are distinguished from others that are not baptized; but it is also a sign of regeneration or the new birth. The Baptism of young children is to be retained in the Church.”
The Confession of Faith of the Evangelical United Brethren Church Article VI
“We believe the Sacraments, ordained by Christ, are symbols and pledges of the Christian’s profession and of God’s love toward us. They are means of grace by which God works invisibly in us, quickening, strengthening and confirming our faith in him. Two Sacraments are ordained by Christ our Lord, namely Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
We believe Baptism signifies entrance into the household of faith, and is a symbol of repentance and inner cleansing from sin, a representation of the new birth in Christ Jesus and a mark of Christian discipleship.
We believe children are under the atonement of Christ and as heirs of the Kingdom of God are acceptable subjects for Christian Baptism. Children of believing parents through Baptism become the special responsibility of the Church. They should be nurtured and led to personal acceptance of Christ, and by profession of faith confirm their Baptism…”
Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline Paragraph 304. Ministry of Laity
“All Christians are called through their baptism to be in ministry to others, both as individuals and as a part of the church, using the gifts and graces with which they have been equipped by the Holy Spirit”
Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline Paragraph 314 – The Meaning of Baptism
“Through Holy Baptism we are united in Christ’s death in repentance of our sins; raised to new life in Him through the power of the resurrection; incorporated into the Body of Christ; and empowered through the work of the Holy Spirit to go on to perfection. Holy Baptism is God’s gracious gift to us, flowing from the once for all work of Christ Jesus, and our pledge to follow as His disciples.”
Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline Paragraph 315. The Mode and Practice of Baptism (See paragraph 316 for full Baptismal Vows).
“Holy Baptism may be performed by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. The outward and visible sign of Holy Baptism is water. Candidates are baptized “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). The inward and spiritual grace is death to sin and new birth to righteousness by faith through union with Christ in His death and resurrection.
Holy Baptism is administered among a gathered congregation. Those present vow on behalf of Christ’s Holy Church to receive the baptized into the Church universal, to grow together in grace, and to remember the profession made and benefits received in Holy Baptism. Candidates for Holy Baptism, and those presenting candidates unable to answer for themselves, shall be instructed in the Christian faith and the meaning of Holy Baptism.
Holy Baptism, as initiation into Christ’s Holy Church, occurs once in a person’s life. Holy Communion serves as the regular and continual affirmation of baptismal vows within the church. Through a service of baptismal remembrance and reaffirmation of baptismal vows people can renew the covenant declared at baptism.”
More From David
Faith, Freedom, and Finance: The GMC’s Pastor Tithing Policy
November 3, 2023
Chris Ritter is a gift to the Wesleyan/Methodist movement. His articles and time as a delegate have greatly served the Kingdom of God. He is a bright, intelligent, and spiritual leader. Personally, he has been very generous towards me with direct messages on social media over the years and even a recent phone call to discuss Global Methodism.
This is why it pains me to challenge a recent article he wrote. Although I take solace in challenging the idea, not the person.
Chris has an excellent blog called People Need Jesus. I highly recommend it. He recently wrote an article titled The Way to San Jose: Funding the Movement. This article discussed requiring clergy to move their tithe (or at least part of it) from the local church to the denomination.
Funding ministry will be a vital component of the future of Methodism. Dictating for preachers to move their funds from the local church is a dangerous idea with potential to cause a mass exodus from the growing Global Methodist Church (GMC).
Here are three reasons why this idea should go no further.
#1 Governing additional aspects of local church affairs runs against the spirit of the GMC.
We all have some level of trauma we have brought into our new denomination from our previous. Everyone is cautious about administrative overreach. As I have gone out to share with churches about the future of Methodism, I frequently remind them: the days of the Holy Spirit blowing from top down only are over. To paraphrase John 3:8, “the Spirit blows where it wants to.”
Pastors should have the freedom to send their tithe where they feel led by God to send it. Churches and pastors should enjoy more autonomy on an issue like this, not less. We should also be weary of creating policies where there is no will or need for one.
#2 This will cause small churches to leave the GMC.
All churches have the ability to leave the GMC. This has been one of the strong selling points for churches joining. The threat of a large back door should make us all consider the reality of each decision. If a church decides to leave, we should thank them and celebrate them on their new journey. However, we do not want to create issues to make churches feel they need to leave.
In many small churches I have served I have been one of the top givers. Our family has consistently tithed ten percent at each church.
Do we think any church would sacrifice one of their top ten givers to join any denomination? If not, do we think this will make them want to stay in any denomination?
#3 More funds are raised by vision not mandates.
Finally, the way for the GMC, each annual conference, and local church to grow funds for ministry is by demonstrating the value being added to the Kingdom. I have been blessed to serve in North America where many churches are blessed financially. My observations have been that individuals are far more generous when there is a vision for how the church will use their resources faithfully.
I applaud the South Georgia Conference of the Global Methodist Church leadership, especially President Pro Tem Rev. Jay Hanson. Our conference has set the required connectional giving at the annual conference level at zero (Chris does point this out in his article). This is a radical departure from the years of receiving letters notifying us how behind we are on apportionments. The days of district superintendents calling churches who already met their mandated giving to give even more to make up for other churches who are behind.
Time will tell if this radical experiment of faith will last. So far, we have been blessed by churches giving to the dynamic mission and ministry blowing fresh wind and fresh fire in our conference.
Conclusion
In fairness to Chris, he does share some objections to his idea. Again, I am grateful for his work but hope we move away from this idea of forcing clergy to take their tithe from the local church.
David Donnan 