Church membership is an important part of believers’ loyalty and commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture teaches that in Christ we, who are many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others (Romans 12:5). Membership at First Presbyterian Church is open to all who profess faith in Jesus Christ and believe the primary teaching of the Christian faith.
Membership at First Presbyterian Church is laid out in three steps:
- attending our membership class
- meeting with an elder
- meeting with our Session
Attend the membership class
FPC offers membership classes in the Spring and Fall every year during Sunday School (9:30 am – 10:15 am). This six-week informal class will give you a bird’s-eye view of Christianity, FPC, and your place as a member. The class covers the following topics:
Who We Are
1. Welcome & the Essential Gospel
2. Worship
3. Church: Supporting its Worship and Work
4. What “Presbyterian” means and why it matters
How We Grow
5. Means of Grace
6. Covenant, Baptism, & Lord’s Supper
This class will also introduce you to many of our ministry leaders and ways you, as a member, can get involved. Participating in this class does not obligate you to join, but it is required if you want to become a member. So, if you are new to Christianity, transferring from a different church, or want to know more about us, we would love to have you. You may register for our upcoming Membership Class here.
Meet with an Elder
After completing our Membership Class, those who wish to become members at FPC will be able to meet with one of our elders to talk about any questions you may have about membership. This meeting allows you to talk to an elder about your faith, commitment to Christianity, and the membership vows at FPC. You may begin step 2 by completing our New Member Questions. Once you have submitted your answers, a pastor or an elder from FPC will be in touch with you soon.
The membership vows are:
- Do you acknowledge yourself as a sinner in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure and without hope save in His sovereign mercy? Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel?
- Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes followers of Christ?
- Do you promise to support the Church in its worship and work to the best of your ability?
- Do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of the Church and promise to study its purity and peace?
During your meeting with an elder, you will also discuss how you will join FPC. There are three methods by which individuals may join the Church.
- If you are a new Christian, have never been baptized, and are not a member of a Church currently, you will join by Profession of Faith and be baptized into Christ’s Church.
- If you are a baptized Christian and are a member of a Church that is not part of our affiliation (The Presbyterian Church in America), you will join by Reaffirmation of Faith.
- If you are a member of a Church within The Presbyterian Church in America, you will join by Transfer of Church Letter.
Meet with the Session
After meeting with one of our pastors or elders, they will report to our Session. You will be invited to meet with the Session at their scheduled meeting to receive new members. At this meeting, you will officially become a member of the Church. On a Sunday following the Session meeting, new members are introduced to our First Presbyterian family during our morning worship service.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about membership at First Presbyterian Church, please feel free to contact us anytime. We will be glad to talk with you about Church membership.