A number of people have asked what we’re signing up to when we become members. When the Session is satisfied that the applicant is qualified to be a member (e.g. are baptised and professed faith in Christ, understand the core beliefs of Christianity and the Presbyterian Church’s understanding of the sacraments, and that there is a consistency between their profession and life), they are asked these questions before the congregation:
- Do you believe in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
- Do you repent of your sin, and with a humble and grateful heart put your trust in the mercy and grace of God and in Jesus Christ whose sacrifice on the cross takes away your sin?
- Do you promise to share regularly with your fellow Christians in worship on the Lord’s Day?
- Do you promise to be faithful in reading the Bible, and in prayer?
- Do you promise to love God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength and to give a God-honouring proportion of your time, talents and money for the Church’s work in the world?
- Do you promise to confess Christ before others, to serve him in your daily work, and to walk in his ways all the days of your life?
- Do you acknowledge your dependence upon the Holy Spirit to equip you and to enable you to be faithful to this your confession?
- Do you promise to submit to the authority of the Session as the exercise pastoral oversight of the congregation?
Why not join the membership classes? Once they’re complete you can decide if you want to take the next step and formally join us.