CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
CONGREGATIONALISTS ARE A COVENANT PEOPLE:
Membership in a Congregational church occurs when a person publicly
accepts the Covenant of that church. Our church Covenant is this: We
covenant with God and with one another to seek God’s will as taught in
the Holy Scriptures, to walk together in the ways of the Lord, to
proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people, and to depend upon
the continued guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth.
Our Covenant is so central to our identity, it is the current tradition
to affirm that Covenant each time we celebrate the Lord’s Supper in
worship.
BELIEFS AND CONVICTIONS
Descended from Pilgrim and Puritan beliefs, Congregational Christian
Churches of today emphasize faith, freedom and fellowship.
Congregational Christians believe deeply in God, in Jesus Christ, in the
guiding Spirit, in prayer, in the worth of worship, and in the value of
the sacraments. We acknowledge Jesus Christ as the head of the church
and find in the Holy Scriptures, interpreted by the divine spirit
through reason, our guidance in matters of faith and discipline.
We do not accept any formal statement of faith as binding upon all
members of our Churches. This is not because we think creeds do not
matter, but because we think sincerity of conviction requires full
opportunity for intellectual freedom and personal experience. Thus every
Congregationalist is free to interpret the Gospel according to his or
her conscience. We recognize the Bible as our rule of faith and practice
and hold that living in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ is
the true basis of fellowship. Each member shall have the undisturbed
right to follow the Word of God according to the dictates of conscience,
under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.
The bond of our Christian unity and the fundamental requirement for
membership in a Congregational Christian Church are sincere Christian
conviction and honest desire to live in fellowship with others as a
follower of Jesus Christ.
BECOMING A MEMBER
The members of this Church shall be persons who have publicly owned the
Covenant, and who have provided a letter of transfer (if available),
attended the pastor’s membership class, been recommended to the
Congregation by the Pastor and Diaconate and been accepted by a vote of
the Congregation. The Congregation votes to accept members not to be
exclusive of people but to ensure that no one person can keep another
from becoming a member. Young people grade 7 and up join the church
through the process of Confirmation, a class which runs October through
May and concludes with a trip to Plimoth Plantation which is our
spiritual heritage.
Membership is your invitation to claim the covenant of Christ and
deepen your relationship to God and each other.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP
Membership commitments arise out of a sense of faithfulness to Jesus
Christ and commitment to the church which keeps faith alive. Throughout
our lifetimes, our ability to fulfill our responsibilities
understandably varies and all are welcome in church at whatever level of
participation.
REGULAR ATTENDANCE AT WORSHIP - this is how we show our devotion
to God and praise him for his goodness and grace.
PARTICIPATION IN CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS - everyone has a say in
matters of the church, exercised through democratic means, based on
Robert’s Rules of Order.
SERVICE ON BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND IN PROGRAMS - Because
Congregational Churches are based on representational leadership the
strength of the church depends upon the volunteer efforts of members in
all aspects of church life.
CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE - encouragement of others on their spiritual
journey, support of others through difficult times, tolerance for
diversity, openness to differing opinions and views, desire to implement
the teachings of Christ into every day living.
FINANCIAL COMMITMENT - monetary support of the church’s budget,
programs, and outreach. All donation is voluntary and confidential, but
the church cannot be sustained without it.
PRAYER - sincere seeking of what role God would like us to take
up in order for us to discern and fulfill our spiritual purposes.
HOSPITALITY - intentionally welcoming people in our midst,
especially new comers that they may feel at home in this church and
confident in choosing our congregation as the people with whom to walk
their spiritual journey.
The Church is made strong by your presence and participation. While
membership is entirely voluntary, the responsibilities which come with
membership constitute our service to God and create a vital community. |
Church Membership