Membership
Church Membership
I'm aware that
our culture right now is uneasy with commitment.
The trend is away from joining anything, becoming a member, or making
long term commitments. I get that
– and I grieve at the shallowness this perspective often facilitates.
At First Presbyterian, we believe that the church is not a social club, a
wedding chapel or a funeral home. We
are the body of Christ, connected to each other as significantly as our fingers
are connected to our hands – in a living, mutually dependent life-system.
We are not afraid of making commitments to each other.
So, take a look at what membership means to us, and consider being
counter-cultural as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Becoming a Member of
First Presbyterian Church, Gulf
Shores
(winter
visitors – see the “Affiliate Membership”
paragraph below)
If you are interested in exploring membership with us,
please give pastor Steven a call or send an email.
Church: 251-968-7720
Pastor Steven: stevendkurtz@gmail.com
Membership in the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.)
Our “Book of Order” (part of our church constitution)
sets membership in this context:
"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 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" (PCUSA Book of Order, G-5.0100a)
How do I become a member?
A person may become a member of First Presbyterian Church
by one of the following methods:
Profession of Faith: A person who has never been a
member of any Christian church, or who has been baptized but never officially
"joined" a church, makes a profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
Certificate of Transfer: A person who is a member of
some other Christian Church and wishes to unite with First Presbyterian may
request that we write for her or his letter and indicate your desire to transfer
your membership.
Reaffirmation of Faith: Some churches do not
transfer members. A person who is a member of one of these churches and wishes
to join First Presbyterian will be asked to reaffirm his or her faith in Jesus
Christ (assuming that they have been baptized).
And by the way, we believe that baptism is done in the name of Christ,
not in the name of any denomination – we are baptized as Christians (not as
Presbyterians) and for that reason, we affirm the validity of your baptism,
whatever Christian church you were baptized in.
And for that reason, we never re-baptize anyone.
What if Gulf Shores is where I spend only part of the
year?
Affiliate Membership (perfect for winter visitors):
A person who is a member of another Presbyterian church but who will only
temporarily be in the Gulf Shores area may use this category. An affiliate
member is officially connected to First Presbyterian Church while maintaining
membership in her or his present church. Affiliate membership carries all the
privileges of active membership except the right to vote in congregational
meetings and hold church office. The process for becoming an affiliate member is
simple; contact pastor Steven.
Responsibilities of Membership as outlined in our
Book Of Order (G-5.0102)
A faithful member accepts Christ’s call to be involved
responsibly in the ministry of his church. Such involvement includes:
-
proclaiming
the good news,
-
taking
part in the common life and worship of a particular church.
-
praying
and studying scripture and the faith of the Christian Church ,
-
supporting
the work of the church through the giving of money, time and talents,
-
participating
in the governing responsibilities of the church,
-
demonstrating
a new quality of life within and through the church,
-
responding
to God’s activity in the world through service to others,
-
living
responsibly in the personal, family, vocational, political, cultural, and
social relationships of life,
-
working
in the world for peace, justice, freedom, and human fulfillment.
We would love to talk to you further about making this
commitment.
Church office (Monday – Friday, 8:00 – 12:00 noon)
251-968-7720
Pastor Steven: stevendkurtz@gmail.com
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