The Ministry of Membership

Have you ever thought about what it means to be a member of the church? Does it mean you have a "home", a place to worship on Sunday? Certainly community worship in the church is a very important aspect of membership.

But "Membership" is also a ministry. We have been claimed by God and called to serve in Christ's ministry that begins in our baptism and grows with profession of faith. Our Book of Order, which is the Presbyterian Constitution states: "Baptism and a public profession of faith in Jesus as Lord are the visible signs of entrance into the active membership of the church" (G.5.0000-.0102 1a).

The Book of Order also goes on to describe what it means to be a faithful member. A faithful member accepts Christ's call to be involved responsibly in the ministry of his Church and such involvement includes:

a. proclaiming the good news of Christ as savior
b. taking part in the common life and worship of a particular church
c. praying and studying Scripture and the faith of the Christian Church
d. supporting the work of the church through the giving of money,time and talents
e. participating in the governing responsibilities of the church (including voting at meetings and understanding Presbyterian government)
f. demonstrating a new quality of life within and through the church
g. responding to God's activity in the world through the service to others
h. living responsibly in the personal, family, vocational, political, cultural, and social relationships of life
i. working in the world for peace, justice, freedom, and human fulfillment

Living in our christian discipline means we worship as a community of faith, we pray, study scripture, serve others, give money, time, and talent and respond in every way to advance God's kingdom. God calls and we respond. This is central to our faith and understanding that it is through grace and the saving death of Jesus Christ on the cross that we have been reconciled to God.

Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians what it means to be a member of the Body of Christ: "But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it ...it was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:7; 11-13 (NIV)

The Membership Committee encourages everyone to learn more about how they can participate in the church's work and worship. If you have any questions about membership, please contact Bill Montwid at (908) 806-2032 or e-mail:

e-mail: Bill Montwid