What is the meaning of Membership?
Becoming a member of a local congregation is the first public demonstration of an individual’s commitment to Jesus Christ. It is a declaration that, “It is through this faith community I plan to worship, learn, serve, and give to God.” Part Two of the Presbyterian Church’s Constitution, The Book of Order, defines membership this way:
In Jesus Christ, God calls people to faith and to membership in the Church, the body of Christ. Baptism is the visible sign of that call and claim on a human life and of entrance into the membership of the church. The baptism of children witnesses to the truth that God’s love claims people before they can respond in faith. The baptism of those who enter the covenant of membership upon their own profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior witnesses to the truth that God’s gift of grace calls forth a response of faithfulness. Thus, the triune God, incarnate in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, gives to the Church not only its mission but also its understanding of membership (G-1.0301).
Becoming a member of a local church should be easy to do but it also needs to encourage depth and growth in your relationship with God and with others in the community. Membership in the Church of Jesus Christ is both a joy and a privilege. It is also a commitment to participate in Christ’s mission through the congregation. A faithful member bears witness to God’s love and grace and promises to be involved responsibly in the ministry of Christ’s Church. Such involvement includes:
In Jesus Christ, God calls people to faith and to membership in the Church, the body of Christ. Baptism is the visible sign of that call and claim on a human life and of entrance into the membership of the church. The baptism of children witnesses to the truth that God’s love claims people before they can respond in faith. The baptism of those who enter the covenant of membership upon their own profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior witnesses to the truth that God’s gift of grace calls forth a response of faithfulness. Thus, the triune God, incarnate in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, gives to the Church not only its mission but also its understanding of membership (G-1.0301).
Becoming a member of a local church should be easy to do but it also needs to encourage depth and growth in your relationship with God and with others in the community. Membership in the Church of Jesus Christ is both a joy and a privilege. It is also a commitment to participate in Christ’s mission through the congregation. A faithful member bears witness to God’s love and grace and promises to be involved responsibly in the ministry of Christ’s Church. Such involvement includes:
- Proclaiming the good news in word and deed
- Taking part in the common life and worship of a congregation
- Lifting one another up in prayer, mutual concern, and active support
- Studying Scripture and the issues of Christian faith and life
- Supporting the ministry of the church through the giving of money, time, and talents
- 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, caring for God’s creation,
- Participating in the governing responsibilities of the church and reviewing and regularly evaluating the integrity of one’s membership and considering ways in which one’s participation in the worship and service of the church may be increased and meaningful (G-1.0304).
How do I join?
If you have made the decision to join or are thinking about becoming a member of our faith community, we invite you to our monthly New Member Orientation held on the last Sunday every month at 9:45 a.m. Simply call our main church office at 954-462-6200 or email membership@firstpres.cc. Any of our pastors are more than happy to visit with you.
Provided is a link for you that contains our membership packet. Help us get to know you and learn what some of your passions for ministry are!
Click Here for the membership packet!
Membership Requirements
The only requirement for membership is a person’s trust and faith in God’s grace through Jesus Christ; you simply have to believe he both Lord and Savior. If a person has never been baptized, he or she would join by baptism and profession of faith in the context of a worship service. If you are a member of another Christian Church, you may join First Pres by a letter of transfer from your current congregation. For others, it may have been a while since you attended church and you would join by simply reaffirming your faith in God’s grace through Jesus Christ.
On the morning you are presented to the congregation, the pastor will call you forward and ask you four questions regarding your faith. The first two deal with your relationship with God and the last two focus upon your relationship with God’s Church. The four questions:
No one ever receives more into their spiritual life than he or she puts into it. May the First Pres family help you find and fulfill your purpose!
On the morning you are presented to the congregation, the pastor will call you forward and ask you four questions regarding your faith. The first two deal with your relationship with God and the last two focus upon your relationship with God’s Church. The four questions:
- Do you acknowledge yourself to be a sinner and have a broken relationship with God?
- Do you acknowledge that Jesus Christ is both your Lord and you Savior?
- Will you, to the best of your ability, seek to live a life that reflects the tone, tenor, and type of discipleship we are called to live as Christ-followers?
- Will you seek to serve the Church of Jesus Christ with your time, energy, imagination, and purity in love?
No one ever receives more into their spiritual life than he or she puts into it. May the First Pres family help you find and fulfill your purpose!