A new membership class starts this week. Some will join us by adult Baptism, as a public declaration that they want to trust, follow and serve Jesus. Others will join Confirmation, as a public declaration that the faith of their parents, in which they were baptised as infants, is also their faith. Yet others will join us by Transfer from other churches, where they have previously been members.
All of these people are most welcome in our membership class and we prayerfully look forward to their membership service in mid-year. It is most encouraging that two of those joining the class were converted through our Outreach Services.
Church membership is a serious privilege and responsibility:
- Members
have publicly declared their loyalty to Jesus Christ and are expected to live as good citizens of his kingdom. - Members
commit themselves to be part of the life and ministry of this church and to support its ministry and mission with their time, talents and treasures. - Members
elect Elders and Deacons and are eligible to stand for these offices and they also elect certain members of the pastoral staff.
At ORPC we have many regular worshippers who are not members. Some of them are
very active in the life of the church, for which we thank God. We encourage these people to consider expressing their commitment to Christ and his church by becoming church members.
We also have many members who are not active, but who could and should be. We encourage these people to an active church membership in which they joyfully fulfil the promises they made at membership.
At all levels of our membership and leadership we need people with a strong personal
faith in Jesus Christ and a strong and active commitment to involvement in the life of this church. Being a church member or leader is not a spectator sport, for we are all called to be part of the living stones that build on Christ to make up the church (1 Pet 2:4-6).
I encourage all to prayerfully consider their membership status. I especially encourage
regular worshippers who are not yet members to consider joining the membership class and becoming fully part of ORPC.
David Burke