“Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together as some are in the habit of doing. But let us encourage one another- and so much the more as you see the Lord’s Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24,25
WHY JOIN A CHURCH?
1) To be a part of a team- we can do more together than we can separately. “Two are better than one for they have a good return for their work…” (Eccles. 4:9-12). The church is a place where you can plug in and be more than a spectator to the Christian life.
2) To love others- Being with other people allows us to love and be loved—praying for one another, caring for each other. This is being part of a church family. Paul Tournier said, “There are two things we cannot do alone: one is to be married, the other is to be a Christian.”
3) To grow and encourage one another- When we stop growing, we start dying. The Bible says “as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
4) The church is a place where God promises to be- “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Mt. 18:20). If you want to experience God, you will be more likely to find that experience in church.
There are many more reasons… come and find out! It does take commitment, but when you commit to the church, the church also commits to you, and God commits to both you and the church.
For God so loved the world, He sent his only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
To be a member of our church, you must basically profess two things- 1) Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, 2) You want this church to be your church.
HERE’S HOW:
(Click here for a form to print, fill out and bring with you when you join)
There are three ways to join a church:
1) By Profession of faith
(if you have never professed the faith or joined a church before). If you have not been baptized, this would be the time to do it. You may call a pastor (Ben or Bo) 345-5140 or email me at Bens.lmpchurch@gmail.com. We would love to talk to you more about your faith.
2) By Re-affirmation of faith (if you have joined a church before but you have been inactive for awhile, or your church will not send a transfer of letter)
3) By Transfer of Letter (if you are a member in good standing in another church). This way recognizes your previous commitment to Christ, and also allows our church to recognize the validity of another.
If you join by transfer of letter the procedure is…
1) Pray about joining.
2) Ask us to ask your former church for your letter, and if you have it, give us the address of your former church.
3) Let the minister know you wish to join (may be done before you come forward or during).
4) After worship come down front to the first pew in front of the baptism font (pulpit side). The session will meet with you there.
5) During worship at a Sunday of your choosing we will recognize your joining.
6) The Sunday that you are recognized as having joined- After the benediction, join the minister at the front door to have people welcome you into the church.
7) Take a second afterwards for a picture.
You will be given a certificate later.
Procedure for those Joining the church by Profession or Reaffirmation of faith:
1)Pray about joining;
2) Come down front and meet with the minister and some elders.
3) They will vote to accept you into membership pending your baptism (if you haven’t been baptized), and your answering the questions below in worship. We’ll set up a Sunday for you to publicly join.
4) The Sunday you publicly join, you will be asked to come forward after the announcements.
5) The 5 questions below will be asked. 6) Follow the minister to the door and let people welcome you on their way out;
7) Take a picture;
Begin the journey of faith!
QUESTIONS ASKED OF THOSE JOINING THE CHURCH BY PROFESSION/REAFFIRMATION OF FAITH:
1) Do you admit that you are a sinner in need of God’s mercy? Do you renounce all evil and powers in the world that defy God’s righteousness and love, and do you renounce the ways of sin?
2) Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Lord and Savior?
3) Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying His Word, and showing His love, to your life’s end?
4) Will you be a faithful member of this congregation, share in its worship and ministry through your prayers and gifts, your study and service, and so fulfill your calling to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?
5) Will you devote yourself to the church’s teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers, promising to further its purity and peace?
To be a member of the Presbyterian Church, we believe, is a matter of grace. You do not have to promise to do tons of things or believe a lot of things to join. Officers in the church do. But we believe we are saved by grace, and we join the church by God’s grace as well.
To be a member, therefore, you must believe in the God of the Bible- Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
As a public sign and commitment to that belief, you should be baptized.
You must also agree that this particular church will be your church home.
AFTER YOU JOIN:
We encourage you to continue to come and take part in worship on a regular basis. This will help you to fit in.
We will offer a new member dinner and an occasional “What Do Presbyterians Believe” class.
We encourage everyone to find a group to join in the church. This way people will know you and you will know others. This may be a Bible study, Sunday School class, circle, service crew, or group.
We also encourage you to walk with God privately and if you have a family- in your family. We encourage members to read the Bible on their own, pray regularly (including the blessing of food at meals).
