We encourage membership because we believe that it fosters Christian discipleship. Our members agree to live according to our Membership Affirmation and reaffirm their commitment on an annual basis. For more information on membership you can refer to our Understanding Church Membership document.
Our Essentials Course provides an in-depth look at five issues: the Gospel, Worship, Discipleship, Community, and Mission. Generally we offer this course once in the summer, once in the fall, and once in the late winter. It lasts five weeks, covering one topic each week. Our pastor and his wife lead Essentials. It meets in their home or in the church lobby, depending on the number of people. Dinner and child care are provided. Click here to learn more about Essentials.
Baptized Christians who have completed the pastoral meeting are invited to sign a Membership Affirmation. Most people will do so within their Small Group since it provides the opportunity to share with one’s immediate community and ask for their prayer in keeping the commitments involved in membership. For those who aren’t yet in a church small group, we encourage signing the Affirmation with other close friends from the church who agree to provide accountability and support through prayer.
The sacrament of baptism is the watery gateway into the Church which is the body of Christ. For those who haven’t experienced Christian baptism, we offer this sacrament to believers and their children. Let us know if you would like to be baptized, and we will gladly walk you through the process. Christian baptism is required of all who choose to become members of our church and of all who partake of Holy Communion.
If you were previously a member of another church, make sure to tell our pastor during your pastoral meeting. Together we’ll determine the best way to follow up with your former church in order to provide continuity of pastoral care. Particularly if you come to our church from another orthodox church in the area, we want to know why and we want to have an opportunity to discuss this with you and with someone in leadership at your former church.
