FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions we get:   Is Bellwether a United Methodist Church?Yes.

What does that mean? It means Bellwether is part of the East Jackson District of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church.   We may not look like many other United Methodist Church in the Metro Jackson area.  That is our intent.  Within the structure of the United Methodist Church there is great freedom.  We have exercised some of those freedoms to reach anyone for Jesus.
 
United Methodist Pastors are known move around a lot.  Does that mean John Hugh won’t be staying around long as Lead Pastor of Bellwether?
John Hugh was sent to our church like every other United Methodist Pastor.  He is slightly unique as the Founding Pastor of Bellwether that should allow him to remain the pastor of Bellwether for an extended period of time.
 
How does one have a relationship with Jesus?
Bellwether affirms outside of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ there is no salvation.  Acts 4: 12 states – “there is salvation in no one else!  There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them.”
Romans 10: 9-10 – “For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.”
We enter into this saving relationship with Jesus by grace through faith – not of our own efforts or knowledge or worthiness.
 
Is Bellwether open to working with other church and other denominations?
Yes.  The founder of United Methodism - John Wesley had a great saying:  “In essentials unity.  In non-essentials, diversity.  In all things charity.”  That is a great approach.  Bellwether’s essentials are things like salvation is in Jesus alone and the Bible is the authoritative Word of God.  Non-essentials are things like mode of baptism and method of serving communion, for example.
Bellwether sees itself as part of the global Body of Christ.  We want to help other churches.  We will always work with people who desire to further Christ’s Kingdom.
 
What does Bellwether think about baptism?  
We believe baptism is an outward sign of an inward act of God’s grace in the life of a person.  It signifies what God has done, not what we have done.  For this reason, we accept other baptisms because we see them as God’s work, not the work of another church.
If you are baptized as an adult we see that you are loved by God and have begun to love Him back!  All that is by His grace!  It is a great celebration.

Do you baptize infants?
Yes we do and we believe in infant baptism.  For infant baptism, the parents and their church are saying God has claimed each person as His child, even before they can choose Him back.  Once a child is baptized, it is the lifelong effort of the parents, friends, and church to nurture and teach that child so they choose God for themselves as God has already embraced them.  It is a common misunderstanding that infant baptism is for salvation.  Infant baptism is instead a celebration of God’s choosing and loving us.  So, for a child their choice to have personal relationship with Jesus for themselves must follow after they have reached an age of decision.
 
What does Bellwether believe about communion?
At the first communion, Jesus said – “do this in remembrance of Me.”  So, we don’t only remember His death on the cross.  We also remember His life – His actions, healing, teaching, and loving.  But we certainly remember His most loving act – His death and resurrection for us.  
 
Who can take communion at Bellwether?
Anyone and everyone.  When we serve communion at Bellwether, we say – this is the Lord’s table – it’s not the table of Bellwether or the United Methodist Church.  Everyone is welcome.  It is for all God’s children, even if you are struggling in your faith.  However, we hope people who take communion do what Paul suggested in 1 Corinthians 11: 27 – to examine themselves before taking this meal – to repent of their sins and live in love with God and their neighbors.
 
Can children take communion at Bellwether?
Yes.  We make every effort that every child takes communion.  Even though they may not fully understand it, it is the responsibility of their parents, family, and church to teach learn about communion so they can participate.  Jesus said let the children come unto me, the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
 
What does Bellwether believe about the Bible?
We believe it is God’s Word.  There is no error in the Truth it communicates.  We believe in 2 Timothy 3: 16 – the Bible “is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and make us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.” (NLT) We fully affirm this truth about Scripture.  Even though we live some 2000 years after it was written, it is active and relevant to our lives and circumstances today.