FAQ

Please select from below.

Who is the youth director?

In June, we welcomed a new youth pastor, Nathaniel Edison.  He is from Sarasota, Florida and has great plans for ministry at Bethel.  If you ever have a need to talk with someone, just drop an email anytime to Nathaniel at bsm@bethel-umc.com.

 

How old do I have to be to participate in Bethel Student Ministries?

Students should be in 6th grade through 12th grade for Youth activities. For college student ministries, all college-aged people are invited to participate. You don't have to actually be enrolled in college.

What should I wear to church?

Dress in anyway you feel comfortable that is respectable. Most students dress casually for worship, but some put in a little extra effort for Sunday AM. When we meet for Sunday PM, you never know what's going to happen, so wear clothes you don't mind getting a little dirty...or wet...or sandy...or, well, you get the picture.

I'm nervous about coming to a youth activity because I don't know anybody. What should I do?

If you feel nervous joining us for a youth activity, just let us know ahead of time that you're coming and we'll pair you up with a student leader who will introduce you to everyone and help you with questions and getting used to things. How do you let us know you're going to join us? Just call Nathaniel at 770-474-2570 or send an email to bsm@bethel-umc.com.

What do Methodists believe? Are they Christians?

YES! We are Christians. We believe in God, the Father, who made heaven and earth. We believe that Jesus Christ is His only son and that Jesus is our Lord. We believe that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirt and born to a virgin named Mary.

We believe Jesus allowed himself to be crucified on a cross as a sacrifice for all of our sins. He died and was buried, but then on the third day, he came back from the dead! Jesus conquered sin and death!  Jesus lives and is in heaven. We believe Jesus is coming back one day to judge all of us.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, that part of God that guides us while we still live on this earth and teaches us right from wrong. 

We believe in the holy catholic church...no, that doesn't mean Catholic church as in Roman Catholics. We mean little "c" catholic as in universal. In other words, there is only one God so there is only one church.

We believe that God came to earth in the form of Jesus and died on a cross so that our penalty for sin would be paid and that we would not have to die, but we can live forever!

We believe that God forgives our sins when we repent and when we believe and trust in Jesus and that if we believe, our bodies will be resurrected so that we will live forever with God.

If you have any questions about United Methodist beliefs or your Christian walk, we are here for you. Please contact one of the youth staff members or the pastor.

I am not a member of the church. Can I still take communion?

Yes!! Communion is an invitation to the Lord's table, not the table of The United Methodist Church or of the local congregation. Communion is open to anyone who seeks to respond to Christ’s love and seeks to lead a new life. This means that there are few, if any, circumstances in which a United Methodist pastor would refuse to serve the elements of Holy Communion to a person who comes forward to receive it. Communion is between you and God.

Another thing you might want to know is that we use grape juice instead of wine when we take communion. It's not because we think using wine for communion is wrong. It's because we are sensitive to the fact that some people may struggle with alcoholism and we wouldn't want anyone to not partake in the sacrament for fear of being offered wine.

I've never been baptized. Do I have to?

You do not have to be baptized to be receive salvation. However, Baptism is a ritual which proclaims that you have become a member of the body of Christ, the church, by being baptized into it.

Baptism is a ritual made up of questions and promises, prayer, and ceremonial "washing." The "washing" is accomplished by sprinkling, pouring or immersion. You will choose which way you want to be washed. Youth and adults usually go through a time of preparation and instruction before they are baptized. In the case of infants and children, the parents receive instruction. In this way they are helped to know God, the meaning of being "members of the body," and what it is they are committing themselves to.

Baptism is a gift of God's grace to be received as part of the journey of salvation. So while baptism does not give you salvation, it is a sacrament that you will want to experience.

The United Methodist Church recognizes baptism in any form (submersion, pouring, sprinkling) from any Christian denomination. So if you have been baptized in another Christian denomination, it still counts! United Methodists do not practice re-baptism. We believe in one baptism.

So if you have never been baptized, please talk with the Pastor, Nathaniel or one of the Youth Staff. We will answer any questions you have and prepare you to celebrate your baptism!

If I have any questions, who should I ask?

Give Nathaniell a call at the church at 770-474-2570 or you can also send him an email at bsm@bethel-umc.com