Considering Membership?

Hyde Park is passionate about creating an environment where the Holy Spirit can make, shape and send disciples of Jesus. We thrive on helping people deepen their love for God and for others so that our faith community can participate in God’s transformation of the world. We believe that involvement in a local faith community is the avenue to live out our call to follow Christ.

Wherever you are on your spiritual journey with Christ, you are welcome at Hyde Park. You do not have to join in order to participate in worship, many areas of serving, and small groups or classes. For those ready to make an initial commitment or an ongoing commitment to follow Christ, membership is an excellent way to live out that commitment. We believe that the way to grow your relationship to Christ and the Church is through your:

Prayer and Meditation — developing a regular prayer pattern
Scripture Reflection — engaging in Bible reading, studying and reflection
Financial Generosity — building a life of financial generosity
Invitational Evangelism — learning to share your story with others
Corporate Worship — joining with the faith community to worship God
Gifts-Based Service — discovering your spiritual gifts and using them in servant ministry
Small Group Community — committing to a small group of people to walk the journey of faith

Ways to Join

Profession of faith — a first-time commitment to Christ through the sacrament of baptism
Reaffirmation of faith — a reaffirmation of your commitment to Christ*
Transfer of membership from another Methodist church,
Transfer of membership from another denomination

*If you have been baptized at any point in your life, it is not necessary to be baptized again. If not, baptism is a required part of joining the church.

Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism is a requirement to join the United Methodist Church. If you have ever been baptized in another Christian denomination, that baptism is acceptable and there is no need to be re-baptized.

In the tradition of United Methodist Church, baptism is a crucial threshold we cross on our faith journey. Baptism is: (1) a sacrament of initiation into the catholic (universal) church; (2) a sign of God’s forgiveness and our new life in Jesus Christ; (3) the beginning of the growth process in grace that leads us to love God and neighbor and to follow Jesus; (4) a gift of God that is received as a sign of God’s love for us.

The Baptism class is held at 11 a.m., usually on the first Sunday of each month, in the Chapel Lobby.

Baptism Classes in 2010:

Sunday, Sept. 12
Sunday, Oct. 3
Sunday, Nov. 7
Sunday, Dec. 5

Membership Process

Attend the Discover Hyde Park Pastor’s Coffee
Participate in the six-session New Member Discipleship Class
Recite the vows that you will make to Christ, the United Methodist Church and Hyde Park United Methodist during worship

To join Hyde Park United Methodist, each person must attend Discover Hyde Park Pastor’s Coffee. At the coffee you will learn more about Hyde Park, get to know our pastors, discuss pathways to grow in faith, review expectations of membership and answer any questions you have. We meet regularly on the third or fourth Sunday of the month throughout the year. After attending the coffee, prospective members participate in the six session New Member Class which focuses on the spiritual practices that will help them grow in their faith; and prepares new members to find their place in ministry at Hyde Park. After the series, the class participates in the joining vows in worship at the worship service they regularly attend.

Expectations of Members

To participate in worship regularly
To find a group in which to grow
To give financially to the church in proportion to your income
To serve in a ministry

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the vows?
The vows are the things you covenant to when joining our faith community.

I have been a Methodist all my life, why do I have to take a class?
We are grateful for your lifelong commitment to Christ through the United Methodist Church and are excited to include your life experience among us. You will discover that Hyde Park’s connection to the United Methodist Church includes a unique expression of our vision and mission at this particular moment in our history, in this particular part of the world. We want everyone who joins the church to know fully who we are and what God is calling us to do, which may be different from churches you’ve come to know in the past. And, the New Member Class will give you a great opportunity to get to know others in the congregation who are new to the area or to this church, and connect you in to the heart and the life of the church.

What if I want to attend Hyde Park but not become a member?
This is absolutely okay! There are many different paths to Christ and people arrive at different places. You can attend or participate in the ministries of the church without being a member. We want to support you where you are and help you grow in your faith.

Discover Hyde Park Coffee

We would like to invite you to attend the Discover Hyde Park Pastor’s Coffee. At the coffee you will learn more about Hyde Park, get to know our pastors, discuss pathways to grow in faith, review expectations of membership and find the answers to any questions you have. The coffee is the first step to membership, but regardless of whether or not you are interested in joining the church, it is an excellent way to get to know what we are all about. In a laid-back atmosphere, it allows you to ask any questions you have about church, faith, Hyde Park, or United Methodism. They can be easy questions or hard ones!

The Coffee is held in the Chapel Lobby from 10:45 a.m. — noon and is generally held on the third or fourth Sunday of the month. Afterward, interested people attend the New Member Discipleship Class.

We are interested in helping you take the next step in your spiritual journey. For some people it is to join our faith community. For others it may be finding a small group, an area in which to serve, or to learn more about the bible, connect with others in a divorce recovery group or to simple learn how to pray. Wherever you are, a long time follower of Christ or someone exploring Christianity, you are welcome — where you are.

Upcoming Pastor’s Coffee Dates for 2010:

Sunday, Sept. 26
Sunday, Oct. 24
Sunday, Dec. 5

New Member Discipleship Class

Membership means choosing Hyde Park as your spiritual home, the basis through which you will order and live your life around God’s love revealed in Jesus. It means committing yourself to the church’s central mission of making God’s love real, through the spiritual practices of:

Prayer & Meditation: Practicing the spiritual discipline by spending time each day with God
Scripture Reflection: Studying and reflecting on the Bible to experience the living word of hope in the written word of scripture
Financial Generosity: Practicing Christian stewardship through the Biblical discipline of tithing
Invitational Evangelism: Inviting others to experience God’s love and become disciples of Jesus Christ
Corporate Worship: Celebrating God’s presence in worship with a faith community
Gifts-based Service: Discovering our spiritual gifts and participating in God’s work through the ministry of the church
Small Group Community: Experiencing Christian community in a small group to pray, learn and grow together

The first step to membership is attending the Discover Hyde Park Pastors’ Coffee, and then attend the New Member Discipleship Class. Discover Hyde Park Coffees meet at different times throughout the year. Please click here for more information.

The New Member Discipleship Class meets for six sessions on Sunday mornings throughout the year. The sessions are based on our mission of “Making God’s Love Real,” the vision God has given us for our community, and your journey as a disciple of Christ. The primary objectives of the series are for participants to discover their spiritual gifts and discern the next step in their spiritual journey in the spiritual practices. Each person will identify a small group and serving ministry in which to serve.

As part of the class, you will explore what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, get to know fellow class members, and interact with others in a nurturing small group experience. If you are transferring your membership from another United Methodist church, this required class will be particularly helpful to you in learning about Hyde Park’s unique mission and vision.

For more information about the next Discover Hyde Park Coffee or New Member Discipleship Class, please contact Justin LaRosa, Director of Discipleship Ministries, by e-mail or phone 813.253.5388, ext. 298.

Once you have attended the Pastor's coffee, click here to register for the New Member Discipleship Class.

Upcoming New Member Classes for 2010:

Series Four — Sundays, 11 a.m. — noon, Knox Hall Room 150

July 25
Aug. 1
Aug. 8
Aug. 15
Aug. 22 — Connector conferences
Aug. 29 — Lunch
Sept. 12 — Join the Congregation

Series Five — Sundays, 9:30 — 10:30 a.m., Knox Hall Room 154

Sept. 12
Sept. 19
Sept. 26
Oct. 3
Oct. 10 — Connector conferences
Oct. 17— Lunch
Oct. 24 — Join the Congregation

Series Six — Sundays, 11 a.m. — noon, Knox Hall Room 150

Nov.   7
Nov. 14
Nov. 21
Nov. 28 — No Class (Thanksgiving Weekend)
Dec.   5
Dec. 12 — Connector conferences
Dec. 19 — Lunch
Jan.   9 — Join the Congregation

For more information, please contact Justin LaRosa, Director of Discipleship Ministries by e-mail or phone at 813.253.5388, ext. 298.