|
Q. |
WHO LEADS THE CLASSES? |
| A. |
The pastoral staff,
members of the Evangelism Committee, and members of the
congregation. |
|
|
Q. |
WHAT IS DISCUSSED? |
| A. |
These informal sessions
present Presbyterian government, theology, and worship. We
inform you of local and worldwide missions along with our own programs.
You will be introduced to our staff and their areas of
ministry. We review the responsibilities of membership and
offer an opportunity to begin to develop friendships with in the
church. |
|
|
Q. |
MUST I ATTEND ALL THE CLASSES? |
| A. |
We feel the classes are
important and hope that you will place a priority on your
participation. If you have a conflict, we can work with you. |
|
|
Q. |
MAY I ATTEND THE CLASSES WITHOUT AN OBLIGATION
TO JOIN? |
| A. |
Yes. The classes
provide an opportunity for you to learn more about us. If
you decide not to join or to wait until a later date, your
decision will be respected. |
|
|
Q. |
WHAT IF I HAVE NOT BEEN BAPTIZED? |
| A. |
The Presbyterian church
recognizes all forms of baptism; infant, adult, sprinkling, or
immersion. We believe in one baptism and do require
baptism. If you have not been baptized, this will take place
during the worship service the morning you join. |
|
|
Q. |
IF I HAVE BEEN AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF A
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ELSEWHERE, MAY I TRANSFER WITHOUT ATTENDING
THE CLASSES? |
| A. |
Our classes are highly
recommended. We feel the classes not only give you specific information
about us, but also provide an opportunity for you to get to know
our staff and other prospective members. |
|
|
Q. |
HOW DO I JOIN? |
| A. |
There are three ways in
which a person is received into membership at First Presbyterian:
A
letter of transfer
may be obtained from any church of which you currently are a member.
Our office will send for this.
Those
who were members of a church previously but have not been active members
for some time may make a reaffirmation
of faith.
Those
who have never been members of a church family may make a confession
of faith.
An
affiliate member
is one who wishes to maintain membership in a home church
elsewhere. |
|
|
Q. |
WHAT MUST I BELIEVE TO BE A MEMBER? |
| A. |
Though the membership of
the Presbyterian Church (USA) spans a wide diversity of Christian
beliefs, we unite under the common confession that "Jesus
Christ is Lord and Savior." As Presbyterians, we
believe God to be three-in-one, absolutely sovereign in every
sphere of life, insistent upon justice for all the earth's
creatures, and known most clearly through Jesus of Nazareth, the
Word of God incarnate, to whom the Bible is the unique and
authoritative written witness. Presbyterians are
characterized by the emphasis on the life of the mind, and by worship
rendered around the preaching of the Word and the sacraments of
baptism and communion. |
|
|
Q. |
WHEN DO THE CLASSES MEET? |
| A. |
Wednesday evenings from
7:00 - 8:00 P.M. or Sunday mornings at 9:00 A.M. A dinner is
also served (on Wednesdays) with the rest of the church family at
6:15 P.M. Prospective members are welcome and encouraged to
dine with us. |
|
|
Q. |
DO I NEED TO SIGN UP FOR THE CLASSES? |
| A. |
It is helpful, but not
necessary. You may call the church office to make a reservation.
This will help our planning. |
|
|
Q. |
WHAT IF I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE
CLASSES OR ABOUT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN? |
| A. |
Our ministers would be
happy to talk with you. Please call the church office to let
us know how we can be of further assistance. |
|
|
Q. |
WHAT IF I WANT TO JOIN BUT STILL HAVE A LOT
OF QUESTIONS ABOUT MY FAITH? |
| A. |
We do not assume that
membership implies complete clarity or extensive knowledge on all
issues of faith. We ask instead, that you travel the journey
of faith with the other members of this church and share in the
planting and harvest time. There are many opportunities for
all of us to become involved as we grow together in faith. |
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