Membership      Click here if you prefer to print out and complete We are delighted that the Spirit has led you to seek to become an active member of the First Church of Christ, Congregational, United Church of Christ. To help you prepare for your new role as an active church member of this active and vibrant congregation, you are invited to spend some time reflecting on the information that is presented below. Some may be information that is new to you and will assist you to better understand who First Church is and what we see as our mission. Additionally, opportunities are presented to allow you to reflect upon your own faith journey and understandings of the church, God, and your relationship in the midst of God's creation. Please be assured there are no "right or wrong" answers; there are only your answers. Whatever you write will represent your best understanding of some aspect of the faith we share at this particular time! Our faith journeys are just that: journeys! We are meant to wrestle with concepts and doctrines and grow both spiritually and theologically, individually and as the gathered church. If I may assist you in any way as you work through the following "class," please just ask! Again, welcome! May God continue to bless us with the presence and insights we each bring into the church of Jesus Christ. General Information Your First and Last Name:  Street Address:  City: State: Zip: Email Address: Tel (Day): Tel (Night): NOTE: All your answers are submitted directly to the pastor and will be kept confidential. 1) Why do you seek membership in this (or any) church? Please list and explain as thoroughly as you are able. 2) What has happened in your life that now calls you to seek membership in this church? 3) How is membership in a church different from membership in any other organization? 4) There are both joys and costs to discipleship. Please list 3 Joys and 3 Costs specific to church membership and reflect on how willing you are at this time to engage the specific areas you identify. What will be difficult? What will give you most joy? Is sacrifice necessary for spiritual growth? Can sacrifice BE joyful?How is membership in a church different from membership in any other organization? 5) Jesus calls us into the church. What does this mean to you? Can we "be church" alone? 6) We live in a capitalist/consumer/market driven society. The church asks for sacrifice but offers no "item" or "product" or even anything tangible in return. Is this concept difficult for you to understand? Do you see it as a growing point in your spiritual journey or a stumbling block along the way? 7) The ministries of the church exist because members offer their gifts and talents in service to God. None of us is able, individually, to offer everything the world needs. Together, as the gathered Body of Christ, we can accomplish much more than we can alone. Reflect on your particular gifts and talents and list some ways you are feeling called to do the work of the church with us: How is membership in a church different from membership in any other organization? 8) Following are 6 benefits of active church membership. Choose the 3 that resonate most with you and explain how and why they would be of benefit to you. personal/spiritual growth.......a sense of belonging.......church growth.......sense of fulfillment.......renewed purpose.......spiritual joy......other???? 9) In our denomination, the United Church of Christ, our polity (or way of governance) is "congregational." This means that the power to discern the mission of this local congregation, how to raise and expend resources, whom to call as minister, how the worship service will be ordered, and even what the curriculum for the children will be is all decided by......the congregation. This is a radically "bottom-up" way of being the church. All are equal in influence and all members have one vote. This requires the active participation and support of every member. Please consider how comfortable you might be belonging to a congregation such as this one and how ready you are to commit "time, talent, income, and influence" to the ministry of this church. Write your reflections below: 10) We live "in covenant" with one another. That is we have promised before God to be faithful disciples and follow the decisions of the church leadership with trust and love. Covenant is more significant than a legal contract. Covenant is sacred and God is a witness to our promises. Are you ready to make a covenant with this congregation and to promise to actively participate and support the ministries of this church both with your talents and financial gifts? Please explain: 11) Our denomination does not insist on "tests of faith" but rather testimonies of faith. This means that you are not required to ascribe to a particular Creed or set of doctrines to be a church member. It is expected that you sense a call from God to continue to seek God's guidance, study God's word (the Bible) and worship with the congregation. There are some tenets of the Christian faith that are assumed to be held by those seeking membership in a congregation. Please identify which of the following you are able to embrace as "true" and which you continue to wrestle with. A brief explanation of each answer is requested. a) God exists and is known to us in (at least) 3 ways: Creator (Father), Sustainer (Spirit), and Redeemer (Jesus or the Son). b) Jesus was/is God in human form. He was born; lived; died; and rose again. c) Jesus will return in the future and the Kingdom of God will at last reign over all creation. 12) We celebrate two sacraments in our denomination. Communion and Baptism. In this congregation the celebration of Communion is open to everyone whether or not they are members; whether or not they are adults; whether or not they even identify themselves as Christian. How do you understand the celebration of Communion (the Last Supper is the biblical account) and who is welcome at the Table? What do you understand is "happening" during Communion? 13) We baptize infants as well as youth and adults. What is your understanding of Baptism? When were you baptized? What did it accomplish? Thank you for your time and honesty! Please return this "class work" via email, regular mail, or bring it along on a Sunday. - Peace, Pastor MJ                                                                                                                                 Back to Top       Directions | Contact Us | Confidentiality | Tidings Newsletter | Back Home © Copyright 2009 First Church of Christ, Congregational. All rights reserved.