WHAT IS A CHURCH MEMBER?

In general, a church member is one who has pledged himself to a local congregation. In the ARP, there are three types of membership:

  1. Communicant – This is one who has:

    1. Made public his profession of faith in Jesus Christ

    2. Received a Trinitarian baptism[1], and

    3. Has submitted to Christ’s Lordship and to the authority of the Church

  2. Non-communicant – A baptized minor or dependent child of a communicant member of the church.

  3. Associate – One who expects to reside in the area of the church for a time or expects to make extended periodic visits to that area, but chooses not to transfer his church membership from his home congregation. Associate members may not vote in congregational meetings and cannot hold office.

WHY SHOULD I JOIN A CHURCH?

Church membership is a biblical mandate. After all, how can you truly submit to church authority if you aren’t a member? How can you exercise your spiritual gift(s) if not a member? At Hopewell, there are other, practical benefits as well. Members may:

  1. Vote in congregational meetings

  2. Hold office as a deacon or elder, if qualified

  3. Participate in the Lord’s Supper[2]

  4. Present their children for the Sacrament of Baptism, and

  5. Be considered to serve in a teaching role

WHAT ARE MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES?

  1. Make diligent use of the means of grace: preaching and sacraments

  2. Share faithfully in the worship and service of the church

  3. Give of their substance as the Lord may prosper

  4. Render wholehearted service to Christ and His Kingdom throughout the world

  5. Continue in the peace and fellowship of the people of God

  6. Submit to the authority of the elders

  7. Live so as to bear faithful witness to the Gospel

  8. Utilize their spiritual gift(s) in the service of the church

HOW DO I JOIN HOPEWELL?

We receive new members in several ways. You may come by profession of faith, by re-affirmation of faith, or by transfer. Applicants for associate membership follow the same procedure as those for transfer.

 

  1. Public Profession of Faith - If you have never made a public profession of your faith, we urge you to join the church by doing so!

    1. You will first meet with the Session (elders) in private to ask

      1. about your knowledge of your spiritual need

      2. about your faith in Jesus, and

      3. about your intention to be obedient to him

    2. We will ask you to assent to the membership vows (see back), by which you enter a solemn covenant with God and His Church

    3. Having heard your testimony and response to the questions, the Session will ask you to leave briefly so they may deliberate

    4. Upon affirmative action by the Session, applicants will then be received into communicant membership

    5. During a future service of worship, you will be appropriately presented to the congregation

  2. Reaffirmation of Faith - Some applicants for membership will come by reaffirmation of their faith.

    1. You will first meet with the Session (elders) in private

    2. We will ask you about your testimony of faith

    3. Having heard your testimony and response to the questions, the Session will ask you to leave briefly so they may deliberate

    4. Upon affirmative action by the Session, applicants will then be received into communicant membership

    5. During a future service of worship, you will be appropriately presented to the congregation

  3. Transfer of Membership – We are happy to receive new members by transfer from other Evangelical churches. This, for us, is not a mere administrative act, but the transference of pastoral care of the member from one congregation to another.

    1. Upon your request, we will obtain a certificate of good standing from the church from which you wish to transfer

    2. You will then meet with the Session (elders) in private

    3. We will ask you about your testimony of faith

    4. Having heard your testimony and response to the questions, the Session will ask you to leave briefly so they may deliberate

    5. Upon affirmative action by the Session, you will then be received into communicant membershiP

    6. During a future service of worship, you will be appropriately presented to the congregation

I’M A MEMBER, NOW WHAT?

  1. Enjoy the ministry and worship of the church! God has placed us into particular gatherings of the body of Christ so that we might receive the specific blessings he has for us there.

  2. Plug in! God has gifted you, as his child, with specific abilities by which you may serve the body of Christ.

    1. Prayer – pray with and for others

    2. Preschool and children

    3. Men’s ministry

    4. Women’s ministry

    5. Greeters

    6. Hospitality

    7. Guest follow-up

    8. Security

    9. Cleaning

    10. Maintenance

    11. Groundskeeping

  3. Perhaps, though, the ministry for which you are gifted is not yet offered here. In that case, get it started! Seek out an elder so we may steer you to the right needs.

MEMBER VOWS

Do you confess that you are a sinner in the sight of God; that you deserve His punishment; that you are unable to save yourself; and that you are without hope of salvation except for God’s love and mercy?

Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of sinners; and do you receive and trust in Him alone for your salvation?

Do you accept the Bible, comprised of the Old and New Testaments, as the written Word of God; and that it is the only perfect rule of faith and how to live?

Do you promise to trust in the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit so that you can live all of life as a Christian, following the example set by Jesus Christ?

Do you promise to exercise faithful stewardship of God’s resources entrusted to you for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom and purposes?

Do you accept the doctrines and principles of the Standards of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church[1] are founded upon the Scriptures?

In loving obedience, do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of this church, promising to seek the peace, purity, and prosperity of this congregation as long as you are a member of it?

[1] The “Standards” include the Westminster Confession of Faith, along with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, the Form of Government, Book of Discipline, and Directory of Public Worship.