I was baptized in the Methodist Church as an infant, but was not really raised in the church. I am now interested in becoming a full member of the denomination. Could you describe the confirmation process for adults?

Let's look deeper at this. First, according to the teaching and Discipline of the church, in baptism, you became a "baptized member" of the local church, of the United Methodist Church, and of the whole church of Jesus Christ. It was not your choice or action that accomplished this status. You are a member by the gracious initiative of a loving God who claimed you for being part of God's people and a witness to the rule of God in a world of disorder, hurt and fear. This was God's covenant with you and enacted in faith by the pastor, parents/guardians, and congregation acting in the name of the whole of God's people. Now, you have come to a place where God working in you has created a willingness to "be who you are" by becoming a "professing member." The language of "full member" and "preparatory member" was changed at the last General Conference of The United Methodist Church. The terminology now is "baptized members" and "professing members." You can find our much more about all of this by going to: http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=2518.  

Now, let's think about confirmation, in your case. Since you are already baptized, your next step is to ask, "Am I ready and I do I choose by the grace of God to 'profess' the faith and life of the church and live that profession out in daily life from here on?" That is a big step. You may want to do several things on the way there:

1. Pray to God, asking for God to lead you and thanking God for loving you and prompting you to search for an adult faith.
2. Make an appointment with the pastor of your church, or, if you don't have a church, seek one and make an appointment with the pastor. Share your faith journey; tell him or her that you need guidance about how to take the next steps toward "confirmation" or "profession of faith." Tell the pastor if there are things you don't know or feel ready for. The pastor may assign to you a mentor or faith friend who can walk with you on the journey toward reaffirmation of the baptismal covenant made earlier in your life.
3. Ponder what it is that God calls you to do and be. Becoming a "professing member" of the church is entrance into a life of professing the love and rule of God. God has placed or will place you in a very special place where you can be a sign of God's love and justice. Be listening for how your own leanings and passions cross the world's great needs. That is likely where you are to be at work. Consider finding the book When the Members Are the Missionaries by Wayne Schwab. You might read it with one or two others as a way of discerning your mission. You can find the book at http://www.membermissionpress.org/
4. Continue to pray, share in worship, be part of a small group learning the disciplines of the Christian life together.
5. When you are ready and there is just the right Sunday in the church year (such as Easter, Pentecost, All Saint's Sunday, Baptism of the Lord), be confirmed and profess your faith.  

By the way, confirmation is an act of the Holy Spirit to strengthen you, outwardly expressed by prayer and the laying on of hands. Profession of faith is your response to God's grace at work in your life and liturgically expressed in worship by reaffirming the promises made in baptism.  

Peace,
Dan Benedict

Daniel Benedict serves as Worship Resources Director in the Center for Worship Resourcing of The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church.

Julian of Norwich, a late fourteenth-century mystic and spiritual writer, chose to live a solitary life in a cell attached to the Church of Saint Julian in Norwich, England. Because Julian was known for her wisdom, seekers approached the window of her cell to ask her questions about Christian faith and practice.

Learn more about Julian by reading Encounter with God's Love: Selected Writings of Julian of Norwich from Upper Room Books.