Confirmation Class

The act of making a profession of faith is called "Confirmation." The process of becoming a member of the church involves two steps. The first is baptism, which can happen moments prior to confirmation, or it may happen many years before confirmation. A person may be baptized as an infant, for example, and confirmed as an adolescent or an adult. Baptism is a public declaration of God's love, which we believe is poured out on all people. Confirmation is one's personal response to God's love and grace. Confirmation is the act of becoming a member of the church.

Some Christian traditions use words other than "confirmation" to describe the act of making a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as one's Lord and Savior. We believe the decision to be a follower of disciple of Jesus is a way of receiving salvation, or being saved. Some Christians call this being "born again." Regardless of the words used, the focus of this act is to be in a trusting, loving relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We believe God takes the initiative, inviting us into this relationship. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, called God's reaching out to us "prevenient grace," God's grace also enable us to respond, and Wesley called this "justifying grace." Once we become a disciple of Jesus, we continue to grow and mature in our faith. Wesley called this ongoing work of God in our lives "sanctifying grace."

Our church offers a Confirmation Class to sixth graders. The entire sixth grade school year is devoted to Confirmation, with classes held on most Wednesday nights during the school year. The Confirmation Class also makes field trips and makes a weekend trip to Lakeshore (the camp of the Memphis Conference of the United Methodist Church) on the Tennessee River, as well as a weekend trip to Lake Junaluska (the camp of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church).

For youth who have completed the sixth grade, as well as adults, who have not been confirmed but desire to profess their faith and become a member of the church are encouraged to speak to one of the pastors or the youth staff. An abbreviated confirmation class can be arranged for one or more older teens or adults. Our goal is to make sure that everyone who makes a profession of faith is comfortable in their understanding of the faith and their responsibilities as a church member.

The United Methodist Church recognizes the baptism of any Christian church or fellowship. We do not ask persons baptized in other churches to be re-baptized, for example. Also, we recognize the membership of other Christian bodies. If a person has made a profession of faith and has taken membership vows as a Christian in another church, we do not ask him or her to repeat that process. We believe that when one is confirmed, or makes a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, one becomes a member of Christ's Holy Church. The Apostles' Creed calls this "the holy catholic church." (The word "catholic" means "universal," and includes Baptists, Lutherans, Presbyterians and all other Christians.)

When a person becomes a member of the United Methodist Church by transfer from another Christian fellowship (or "denomination"), we ask a simple question: "Will you be loyal to the United Methodist Church and uphold it with your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service?"