Membership: The Ministry of Members
Dear Friends,
On Sunday, March 24th (Palm Sunday), the twelve
members of the confirmation class will publically profess their faith in Jesus
Christ and become full members of Community Presbyterian Church. In many ways,
these twelve young people are completing the process that was begun at the time
of their baptism. In their baptism, we witnessed the truth that God’s love
claims people before they are able to respond in faith on their own.
Confirmation is about confirming this faith and entering into the covenant of
membership.
It has brought me great joy to work (alongside of Kellie
Becker, Bea Harrington, Diane Ellringer, and their adult mentors) with this
group of young people. I have deeply enjoyed learning about who they are and
helping them think about what they believe at this point in their faith
journey. The mission trip last summer to Joplin ,
Missouri
The end result of confirmation is that twelve young people
will stand before the church and publically say “Yes” to belief in Jesus Christ
and “Yes” to membership in Community of Presbyterian Church. Amen! This is good
news and I hope you join me in welcoming each of them into the life of our
congregation.
Confirmation Sunday is an opportunity for all of us to
reflect on our own understanding of membership in the life and ministry of
Community Presbyterian Church. Our Book of Order claims that “membership in the
Church of Jesus Christ is a joy and a privilege. It is also a commitment to
participate in Christ’s mission….A faithful member…promises to be involved
responsibly in the ministry of Christ’s church.”
It goes on to list several ways to be involved in such
ministry, the last of which is this: “(Membership) includes reviewing and
evaluating regularly 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 made more meaningful.”
My friends, as we prepare to welcome a new Confirmation
class and as we prepare to celebrate Easter Sunday and hear once again the
story of Jesus’ rising from the grave, I invite you to join me in thinking
about real and significant ways that your participation here at Community
Presbyterian Church may be increased and
made more meaningful.
I invite you to think about the following statements, taking
from the final lesson of the Confirmation class workbook, and I challenge you
to find new ways to answer them.
“I will be a faithful member of this church by….”
“I will share in its worship by….”
“I will share in its ministry by….”
“My prayers for this church and its members are…”
“My gifts to this church are…”
“I will study by….”
“I will serve by….”
My friends, membership in the Church of Jesus Christ
Sincerely,
Pastor John
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