How to Become a Member
Membership in Covenant Reformed Church is open to all who confess Christ as Savior and seek, by God’s grace, to live in obedience to His infallible Word. We encourage you to prayerfully consider making covenant Reformed Church your church home.
Membership in Covenant Reformed Church is open to all who confess Christ as Saviour and seek, by God’s grace, to live in obedience to His infallible Word.
We provide an ‘Inquirer’s Class’ for those who are interested in learning about membership. We meet for a series of seven sessions. These times of instruction are followed by a time for questions and answers. Assigned reading is to be completed in preparation for the class.
Privileges of Church Membership
Responsibilites of Church Membership
There are three ways that a person may become a member
1. By Profession of Faith
If you have never publicly professed your faith, or if you are not a member of a Bible believing church, and you now know Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord, you may become a member of Covenant Church by profession of faith. This involves:
(a) Attending the New member Classes.
(b) An interview with the Elders—a time to get acquainted; a time to ask any questions about Covenant Reformed Church that you might still have; and a time to satisfy the men whom the Holy Spirit has appointed to oversee the church that you can honestly answer affirmatively the Membership Vows.
(c) Making a public profession of faith in a worship service by answering the following questions (i.e., the Membership Vows) in the affirmative (below).
(d) Baptism. If you have never been baptized, then you must receive this visible sign of union with Christ and His body, the church, at the time that you are received into church membership.
2. By reaffirmation of Faith
If you sincerely confessed your faith in a Bible-believing church you may become a member of Covenant Reformed Church by reaffirmation of faith as summarized in the confessions of this Church. This involves following steps (a), (b), and (c) above.
3. By Transfer of Membership
If you are a member in good and regular standing of a church with whom we have formal ecclesiastical fellowship, you should ask for a letter of transfer from your home congregation and your church will transfer your membership directly to this church. Your membership will be received by the Elders after a personal conference with the Pastor or an Elder. After that, you will be publicly welcomed at a worship service.
Membership Vows:
1. Do you believe the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, to be the inerrant and infallible Word of God, and its doctrine, summarized in the confessions of this Church, to be the perfect and only true doctrine of salvation?
2. Do you confess that because of your sinfulness you abhor and humble yourself before God, and that you trust for salvation not in yourself but in Jesus Christ alone?
3. Do you acknowledge Jesus Christ as your sovereign Lord and do you promise, in reliance on the grace of God, to serve Him with all that is in you, to forsake the world, to mortify your old nature, and to lead a godly life?
4. Do you agree to submit in the Lord to the government and discipline of this church, and in case you should be found delinquent in doctrine or life, to obey its discipline?
For your consideration:
The Marks of a Christian, by J. C. Ryle
Choosing a Church, by Stephen Pribble
Is Church Membership Optional? by Stephen Pribble
Privileges of Church Membership
Responsibilites of Church Membership
Read more about church membership (links to Amazon) :
Life in the Father’s House, 2nd. Ed.
A Member’s Guide to the Local Church
By Wayne A. Mack (Writer, lecturer) and David Swavely (PCA pastor)
This book introduces us to the meaning of church membership, the traits of a good church, and how we are to function as parts of the body. It includes practical discussions on church leadership, male and female roles, worship, spiritual gifts, confrontation, unity, and prayer.
Publisher: P&R | ISBN#: 978-1-59638-034-9
To Be Or Not To Be A Church Member? That Is The Question!
By Wayne Mack
Should you commit yourself to membership in a local church? Isn’t just being a Christian enough? Anyhow, where does the Bible say that we have to become members of a church…why can’t I just attend and get involved?
These are very important questions that demand an answer, especially in the “casual age” that we’re living in. Dr. Wayne Mack brings his years of experience as a Bible teacher, pastor and counselor to this very controversial topic. His answers are straightforward and clear: “Yes!” You must become a church member if you’re to be obedient to Our Lord Jesus Christ and the clear teaching of the New Testament. “No!” Being a “lone wolf” Christian is not enough, per se; you must join with a local body of believers in a church that teaches sound doctrine. No! You cannot just “attend and get involved” without the benefit of church membership; you must have church elders that can guide you, and that you must submit to. Dr. Mack thus argues conclusively and clearly for church membership.
Publisher: Calvary Press | ISBN-10: 1879737574
Stop Dating the Church!: Fall in Love with the Family of God
By Joshua Harris
Putting in their hour or two on the weekend, many Christians take the rest of the week off, neglecting the church and her needs. It's not a serious relationship. Some shop around, looking for a church that suits their lifestyle. It's dating, with no assurances, no obligations. Bestselling author Joshua Harris calls Christians to stop playing the field and commit, just as Christ is committed to us, His bride. In his new book, Harris explores the ramifications of Ephesians 5:25-32, which proclaims the intensity and the breadth of Jesus Christ's love for His church. God has designed us to build our lives around a local church; we cannot be indifferent or uninvolved. Rather, we must be in love with and committed to God's plan and purpose through the church. Are you dating the church, or are you committed?
Publisher: Multnomah | ISBN-10:1590523652