Becoming a Member of FUMCR

We are delighted that you are considering uniting with the congregation of First United Methodist Church Richardson.  We welcome you with an open door, we embrace you with heartfelt love and we support you with uplifting arms. We understand that your decision to choose this community of faith as your church home is very significant and very personal.  If we can answer questions, provide support or encouraging words, please contact us. 
Elizabeth Wilson, Director of Inviting & Involving, 972.996.0134.

Thinking About Joining

We invite and encourage you to attend a "Thinking About Joining" session with Dr. Clayton Oliphint if you are considering church membership.  Click here for more information.

Membership Vows 

Church membership includes a commitment to faith in Jesus Christ, a commitment to follow his example of loving service to God and others. When you join you will be asked this membership question, "Will you be loyal to the United Methodist Church and uphold it by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness?"  Each part of the membership vow is described here:

Prayers:
We pray because we need God's guidance in order to be the church.  When we pray for each other, our church, our community and our world we express our dependence on God do that we might in turn express the will and compassion of Christ.
Presence:
Our presence is our visible witness to our faith.  Our presence in church and in worship is where we find inspiration, guidance, hope, comfort, strength, and peace.  We live out our witness in our community where we live, work, and play. Our presence should be an expression of our commitment to Christ in all aspects of our life.
Gifts:
We give of our gifts as a thankful response for all God has given us. This serves to remind us of our role as stewards over what God has entrusted to us. Systematic giving helps to establish and maintain ministries that are made possible only through the individual gifts of many.
Service:
To uphold the church through our service is to follow the example of Christ who came not to be served, but to serve. God had given us certain gifts and abilities and sharing these gifts is a means of sharing ourselves with love and gratitude for God and one another.   
Witness:
To share your witness is to live a life in Christ and share God's love and grace with the people and community surrounding you.  Sharing these gifts in your work, in your schools, in your life's activiites is to live out a life in Christ."

Baptism and Church Membership 

If you have been baptised as an infant, youth or adult in another Christian denomination,  your baptism is recognized.  There is not a practice of re-baptism. 

If you wish to join the church, and you have not been baptized, you will need to be baptized and join "Christ's holy church" before becoming a member of FUMCR. Follow this link for more information on the sacrament of baptism.

Reception of New Members

New members are received each Sunday during the traditional worship service in the sanctuary. Senior Pastor Dr. Clayton Oliphint, will openly invite anyone who wishes to join the congregation to come forward during the singing of the closing hymn.  If you have you already been acquainted with someone on our staff and we are expecting you to come forward, simply come forward during the hymn.  If you are coming down to join and we are not aware of your intent to join, please complete the "Become A Member" card (shown to the right) located in the pew back and come forward. Please print legibly on the card so we can be sure to introduce you to the congregation correctly. On the "Become A Member" card you will need to indicate how you wish to join.

• Profession of Faith (joining a church for the first time)
• Re-affirmation of Faith (joining a church after a period of being away or without a church home)
• Transfer of Membership from another United Methodist Church
• Transfer of Membership from another Denomination

Follow this link to More Questions and Answers About Membership