Membership

Becoming a member of a Reformed Church involves commitment.  We do want you to know that visitors are always welcome to come to services, and some who join with us as visitors over the long term are very inolved in the life of the congregation. We do love and welcome those that cannot yet commit to membership for various reasons, and we hope they continue to worship with us.

If you would like to become a member, however, it is important to have conversations with our Pastor or Elders so that you are sure that you understand what we believe and what we would expect of you. Church membership involves a covenanted commitment. The following is a summary of our expectations:

A. Concerning the Truth

We confess the Bible, including the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 of the New Testament, to be the inspired, authoritative, and inerrant Word of God.   

    1. We promise, by the grace of God, to continue steadfastly in the profession of Biblical truth, we are resolved to submit to the Word of God, and to live and die in accordance with it.
    2. We subscribe to the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds, as well as the Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, and Canons of Dort as confessions of faith which accurately summarize truths taught in the Bible. If there are elements of the creeds, confessions, or the church order or practices of this church that we have reservations or disagreements concerning, we affirm that we have already expressed them to the elders of this church and that they have judged them to be minor differences.  
    3. If we hold to minor differences, or doubts or confusion arise in our minds concerning teachings or practices of our church, we resolve to privately address the elders of the church concerning them.  We are committed to avoid the stirring up dissension or discord in the church through the promotion of contrary positions, the asking of intentionally divisive questions, or other means.  We understand and accept that this church is committed to cling to sound doctrine regardless of a members’ changing convictions or positions.
    4. We understand that Reformed churches seek to emphasize the sufficiency of the Scriptures, and are very reserved regarding claims of revelations, miracles, supernatural claims, and healings.

B. Concerning the Way of Salvation

We confess that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and that nobody comes to the Father but by Him.

    1. We believe that though mankind was created in God’s image, we have fallen in Adam to such a degree that we are totally depraved, that is, corrupted by sin in our nature as well as in our actions, and therefore we all deserve eternal condemnation.  
    2. We confess the absolute need for the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit prior to genuine repentance and faith.
    3. We confess that our own hope for salvation is in Jesus Christ alone, that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone; that salvation is the gift of God, not of works.   
    4. We resolve, by the grace of God, to cling to the doctrines of sovereign grace. 

C. Concerning the Christian walk

We confess that Christians are set apart from this world by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.  

    1. We are resolved to live a holy life of thankfulness in accordance with God’s commandments, to God’s glory alone. We understand that the Biblical teachings concerning many truths, including creation, marriage, family, lifestyles, sexuality, identity, and pro-life positions, are increasingly criticized in this world, and yet we resolve to hold to God’s Word regarding these things.  
    2. We confess our need to be fully bound to the church of Jesus Christ as long as we live as members.
    3. We resolve to make the attendance of worship services on the Lord’s Day our priority.  We understand that the Lord’s day is to be set apart from the rest of the week as a day of rest and worship, and we ought to cease from unnecessary labour to that end.  
    4. We are resolved to be living and contributing members of the local body of Christ, to make careful use of the sacraments and the preached Word, and to use our abilities and gifts for the upbuilding of the church.   
    5. We promise to submit to admonition, correction and church discipline in the event (which God forbid) that we would become delinquent either in doctrine or life.  

We promise, by the grace of God, to strive to conduct ourselves in conformity to these commitments, faithfully, honourable, and beyond reproach, and to adorn our confession with good works. 

The Process of Taking Membership

The process of becoming a member begins by attending church services for a time and getting to know the congregation. After this, church leaders will have a visit with you, to get to know you better. We will want to hear from you how God has shown you that we all have a problem with sin, that we trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, and that we are seeking to serve Him the best we can.  If we think it is necessary, we may work towards more education, or we may pause as we seek to see fruits of conversion or spiritual growth. If you are living in open or unrepentant sin we will not accept you as a church member. (1 Cor. 6:9-11) We hope however, that Lord willing, the elders will soon recommend you to the congregation for membership. It may take a few weeks after your visit, depending on the timing of our meetings. Then your name would be announced, and if there are no substantial objections from existing members, you are considered a member two weeks after your name is announced.