We’re so glad you’re thinking about becoming part of our church family!
At Bethel United Methodist Church, membership isn’t about signing a form. It’s about belonging, growing in faith, and serving together in Christ’s love. Whether you’re exploring faith for the first time or looking for a new church home, you are welcome here.
Step 1: Come and See
Start by visiting! Worship with us on Sunday, join a Sunday School class, or stop by one of our ministries or fellowship events.
You don’t need to be a member to participate: ust come! Whether you wear jeans or a suit, you’ll find friendly faces and open hearts ready to welcome you.
Step 2: Talk with our Pastor
If you’re interested in joining, or simply curious about what that means, talk to our pastor.
He’ll be happy to answer your questions about faith, baptism, or membership and help you find the path that’s right for you. There’s no pressure -just conversation.
Step 3: Choose How to Join
There are several ways to become a member of Bethel United Methodist Church:
- By Profession of Faith and Baptism
If you’ve never been baptized, you’ll join the church through baptism, an outward sign of God’s grace and your personal commitment to follow Jesus Christ. In the United Methodist Church, we celebrate baptism as a once-in-a-lifetime event, whether you’re a child, youth, or adult. - By Profession of Faith (Already Baptized)
If you’ve already been baptized in any Christian tradition, you don’t need to be baptized again. You can join by professing your faith in Christ and committing to live out that faith as part of Bethel’s community. - By Transfer from Another Church
If you’re a member of another United Methodist congregation, or another Christian denomination, you can transfer your membership to Bethel. We’ll handle the details and help you get connected here. - By Restoration of Membership
If you were previously a member of Bethel or another United Methodist church and wish to return, we joyfully welcome you home.
Step 4: Special Membership Types
We recognize that people move, travel, and study in different places, so the United Methodist Church offers two special types of membership:
- Affiliate Member
If you’re a member of another United Methodist church but living in the Spartanburg area temporarily, you can become an affiliate member of Bethel. You’ll enjoy full fellowship and participation here while maintaining membership in your home church. - Associate Member
If you belong to another Christian denomination but would like to be part of Bethel’s worship, ministries, and fellowship, you may join as an associate member. You can participate fully in the life of the church while keeping your membership elsewhere.
Step 5: Be Welcomed and Connected
Once you decide to join, we’ll welcome you during a Sunday worship service—celebrating your commitment as a congregation. From there, we’ll help you connect with small groups, ministry teams, or volunteer opportunities that match your interests and gifts. You’ll quickly discover that at Bethel, you’re not just a member. You’re family.
About Baptism in the United Methodist Church
Baptism is a beautiful expression of God’s grace, a sign that God’s love claims us before we can ever earn it.
In the United Methodist tradition:
- We baptize infants, children, youth, and adults.
- Baptism is done once. It doesn’t need to be repeated.
- When someone who was baptized as an infant decides to follow Christ personally, they affirm their faith through confirmation.
- Adults who have never been baptized receive both baptism and membership together.
Baptism marks the beginning of your journey of faith and your place in the universal church of Christ.
12/31/25