Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
find peace

Become a Member

The Meaning of Membership
 
The incarnation of God in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ gives to the church not only its mission but also its understanding of membership. One becomes an active member of the church through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and acceptance of his Lordship in all of life. Baptism and a public profession of faith in Jesus as Lord are the visible signs of entrance into the active membership of the church. 
Persons may enter into active church membership in these ways:
  • Profession of Faith:  A person who has not been baptized desires to profess his/her faith in Christ and be incorporated into the life of the church as believers. These persons do so by making a public profession of faith and are baptized in worship after attending a series of seminars on what it means to be a Presbyterian, then interviewed by the Session, our governing body.
  • Reaffirmation of faith in Jesus Christ:  Persons who previously made a profession of faith and became active members in a particular church are unable to secure a certificate of transfer or to evidence of church membership. After attending a short series of seminars on what it means to be a Presbyterian, the person reaffirms their faith publicly and accepts his/her responsibility in the life of the church and is received by the Session. 
  • Transfer of certificate from another church: Persons who have made a profession of faith and have been received into membership in another church may be received by the Session upon receipt of a certificate of transfer from the church in which they have most recently been a member. They are received by the Session after they have attended a series of seminars about what it means to be a Presbyterian. 
To be an active member of the church means a person accepts Christ’s call to be involved responsibly in the life of Christ’s church. Such involvement includes:
  • Taking part in the common life and worship of the church
  • Praying and studying Scripture and the faith of the Christian Church,
  • Supporting the work of the church through the giving of money, time, and talents,
  • Participating in the governing responsibilities of the church;’
  • Demonstrating a new quality of life within and through the church
  • Responding to God’s activity in the world through service to others, 
  • Proclaiming the good news, and
  • Living responsibly in the persona, family, vocational, political, cultural, and social relationships of life; working in the world for peace, justice, freedom, and human fulfillment. (BOO, G-5.0100 & following)
An Active Member of the church is a person who has made a profession of faith in Christ, has been baptized, has been received into membership of the church, has voluntarily submitted to the government of this church, and participates in the church’s work and worship. An active member is entitled to all the rights and privileges of the church, including the right to participate in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, to present children for baptism, to take part in meetings of the congregation, and to vote and hold office. (Book of Order, G-5.0505)
 
For more information on church membership, please contact the Evangelism Council Chair Pastor via the church office at (727) 446-3001.