Membership at Calvary

Inquirers and new believers are invited to Starting Point.  This class is geared toward those who are new to the faith or who have questions.  It's a safe place where any question is welcome.  Please ask the pastor for the date of the next Starting Point class.

The question is often asked, “Why is it important to become a member of a local church? Surely it must be possible to grow in my faith and serve the Lord apart from church membership.”

Yes, this is entirely possible, however, one's growth in faith will most likely rise only to a certain level and then plateau without a more significant commitment to a local body of believers. Following are five specific benefits that are imparted to a believer through membership in a local church.

  1. Enables a public profession of faith.
  2. Provides a spiritual family for support and encouragement.
  3. Provides a setting in which to use one's gifts in service and ministry.
  4. Enables believers to be under the spiritual protection of godly leaders.
  5. Provides the accountability we need to grow in Christian faith.

            The process for becoming a member at Calvary is a rather simple one. Consider the following steps that lead to church membership at Calvary.

  1. Attend Calvary and get to know the people and her ministries. Visit not only the worship services but also Sunday School, small groups and fellowship gatherings. Try to discern if Calvary is the church that will help you grow in your faith.
  2. Talk to the pastor about your interest in joining and he will give you dates for the next available New Members Class.
  3. Attend all five sessions of the New Members Class. The lessons cover what it means to be a Christian, what Presbyterians believe, the standards for church membership, the history of Calvary and the PCA, and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper.
  4. Following the class, the candidates will be interviewed by a few of our elders.
  5. Membership becomes official when an individual is willing to answer five questions in the affirmative during a public worship service. From this point on you will be invited to grow in your faith as a member of Christ's visible church and use your gifts in service to your Lord.

Membership Questions
1. Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope save in His sovereign mercy?
2. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel?
3. Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ?
4. Do you promise to support the church in its worship and work to the best of your ability?
5. Do you submit yourselves to the government and discipline of the church, and promise to study its purity and peace?