MEMBERSHIP: Getting In!
The Book Of Order (G-5.0100, The Meaning of Membership) says:
a. 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.
b. Persons may enter into active church membership in the following ways:
By profession of faith,
They shall reaffirm the vows taken at
Baptism by
a. professing their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and
Savior,
b. renouncing evil and affirming their reliance on God’s grace,
c.
declaring their intention to participate actively and responsibly
in the
worship and mission of the church.
By reaffirmation of faith in Jesus Christ,
By transfer of certificate from some other church.
The service for
the reception of members into a congregation by transfer of certificate or by
reaffirmation of faith is an occasion to recall one’s earlier Baptism,
profession of faith, and commitment to discipleship. After examination and
reception by the session, these new members shall be recognized at a regularly
scheduled service of public worship. It is appropriate for them to reaffirm the
commitments made at Baptism, to make public again their profession of faith in
Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and to express their intention to participate
actively in the worship and mission of the church. They are welcomed into the
life of the congregation and are commissioned for service as members.