news article
Being a church home, finding a church home
March 29, 2023 / By Shannon Hodson / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
This is a challenging season for the United Methodist Church (UMC)—some churches throughout the denomination are disaffiliating. In the Upper New York (UNY) Conference, 26 local churches have disaffiliated since October 2022 and dozens more are exploring the disaffiliation option.
If you are a local church that is not disaffiliating, consider welcoming members from disaffiliating churches who would like to remain United Methodist. Here are some tips for welcoming new members:
- Advertise on your church website and social media platforms that you are #BeUMC and that your doors are open to members who are displaced from disaffiliating churches. You can find great #BeUMC graphics and videos by clicking here.
- If you have an online worship service, make sure that it’s listed on the UNY online worship directory.
- Use signage (yard signs, marquee, etc.) that indicates that you are still UMC.
If you are a member of a local church that is disaffiliating and you want to remain a part of the United Methodist family, we also have some tips for you:
- Ask your pastor or District Superintendent if they can recommend a local United Methodist Church for you to attend.
- Visit the UNY Conference online worship directory and listen/watch some services from nearby churches to find one that you like. As a next step, visit them in person.
God’s vision for The United Methodist Church is one of a future filled with hope as most churches are continuing to #BeUMC.