Innovation draws new members By David E. Bohnert
UMCONNECTION CORRESPONDENT He likes to dress up and play a character as he preaches. Once he preached from a tree. These are some of the ways the Rev. Harold D. Lewis, of Lincoln Park UMC in Washington D.C., appeals to the nonchurched. Inclusiveness, empowerment of the laity, involvement of youth and new styles of worship are recurring themes among Baltimore-Washington Conference churches which win new members by profession of faith. According to the conference statistical report for 2000, of the 700 churches, 198 reported that no people joined by profession of faith. On the other hand, 183 churches reported 10 or more members received on profession of faith. Only 23 churches reported receiving 40 or more members by profession of faith. People join the United Methodist Church either by profession of faith or by transfer. Profession includes confirmation and affirmation or reaffirmation of faith. The Rev. Christopher T. Holmes of Community UMC in Crofton attributes his church attracting 53 members on profession of faith to the churchs willingness to try new things. A membership covenant that emphasizes service in some way sets expectations for members, he said. He added that some of the ecclesiastical language has been removed and multimedia illustrations also help the unchurched feel more comfortable. We are a mission-oriented congregation. People want to be a part of a church that is serving other people, Holmes said. Lewis echoed Holmes thoughts, claiming the church needs to know the community that surrounds it. Lincoln Park examined a demographic study that revealed what the people want in music, and then the church provides it, Lewis said, adding, its like John and Charles Wesley used the popular tunes of their day for their hymns. The Rev. Richard K. McCullough, pastor of Wesley Freedom UMC in Eldersburg, said it is Christian education for children that draws professing members. Church involvement follows, he said. At Hiss UMC in Parkville, a Saturday evening contemporary worship service has drawn a significant number of young adults with no previous church experiences, said the Rev. Kenneth R. Dunnington. The Rev. Bruce F. Haskins of Queens Chapel UMC in Beltsville, attributes his churchs growth to spirit-filled worship. Vibrant worship is what draws them, and they keep coming until they get involved in the broader life of the church, he said. For the Rev. James E. Swecker, pastor of Rehoboth UMC in Williamsport, bringing in new members is not the bottom line. According to Swecker, there is a concept in church growth literature that the idea is not to make churches grow but to make them healthy, and the product of that health is growth. He attributes growth in his church to empowerment of the laity. Most new members are brought in by other people, he said. The vision of seeking Christ has to be there all the time, Swecker said. He said that his congregation is an evangelical congregation, one that emphasizes the necessity of being centered in Jesus Christ. At Cherry Hill UMC in Baltimore, even funeral services, where the love of God is experienced, have the potential to attract professing members, said the Rev. Melvin Tyrone Bond. The Rev. Rudolph Bropleh, pastor of St. Matthews UMC in Baltimore, said that he is still learning how to make disciples for Jesus Christ. He preaches and teaches discipleship and his church is discovering how to reach out to the 53,000 members of is 21218 ZIP code with direct mail, he said. Preaching Christ and Christ alone is the key for Oxon Hill UMC, said its pastor the Rev. John Warren. Warren attributes a part of the growth in membership by profession of faith to articles in the newspaper ads and Igniting Ministry television commercials. His congregation is growing in inclusivenss. The latest confirmation class consisted of 10 Filipinos and four blacks. | 
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