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How to Become a Member |
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Becoming a Member of First Presbyterian Church, Owensboro
We couldn't be more grateful for the beautiful and grace-filled possibility of your desire to inquire about becoming a member of our church! Whether this is your entree into the Christian tradition, or whether you have found a home before in a Christian congregation, or whether you land somewhere in-between, we are thankful for the opportunity to join with you in ministry and service!
Becoming a member in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a staightforward, relatively easy, and very important step to take along this your journey of faith and life.
It is a decision that you and your family will make together with prayerful, encouraging support from us - your new church family.
The First Step
Approximately three or four times a year FPC offers opportunities for new and prospective members and inquirers called "Who We Are & Hope to Become." It is sometimes offered after the 10:30 am church service on four successive Sundays, and it is sometimes offered as a two or one day experience over Saturdays. The schedule adapts and flexes to meet the needs of the inquirers' in any given season or year.
In any case, we invite all prospective members and inquirers to attend this opportunity before considering joining our congregation. Indeed, we want you to be as informed as possible about the theological distinctives, unique history, and contextual richness of what it means to Presbyterian in this place. We - the pastors - will also honor your inquiry for what it is: a spiritual time of examination and discovery. We will do so by praying for you, by listening to your stories and by inviting mentors to walk with you as you consider joining our church.
Who We Are and Hope to Become
Schedule
Contact the The Rev. Dr. Jonathan E. Carroll for information pertaining to the schedule of Inquirers' opportunities.
Topics for Conversation
- Life as Spiritual Journey
- Life Together in Christ: Being a people of and for good news
- The Body of Christ: The Church
- Church and denominational history
- Presbyterian distinctives & polity (governance)
- The Bible & The Confessions: A people of the book as interpreted by community
- Worship & Sacraments
- The Great Ends
- Spirit-Empowerd, Spirit-Led: A people of gifts and talents
- Our specific body: history and life of First Presbyterian Church
- The Meaning of Membership
- Opportunities for ministry @ FPC
- Membership vows
- Nature of community: rewards and responsibilities
- Mentors
The Second Step
Once you have discerned prayerfully that you are ready to be received into the membership of our congregation, simply let our pastor, The Rev. Dr. Jonathan E. Carroll, know. You will be given ample time through a visit or other time together to ask any questions that may continue to linger.
When it is determined that the time has come to become a covenant partner in ministry (or, a new member), you will be invited to meet with the Session of FPC on any of its second Monday of the Month meetings (7:00 PM). At that meeting you will be invited to share a bit about your own biographical and faith journey, how you came to FPC, and what you hope to contribute. You will be asked a series of questions where together we will covenant to support one another in service to Jesus Christ.
Pre-requisites for Joining
The only pre-requisite for joining any PC(U.S.A.) congregation is confessing faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
Membership also includes the sacrament of Baptism, whereby those who have not yet been baptized with water and in the name of God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - are adopted into the family of Christ, grafted into his body, buried in his death, and alive in his new life. We accept all previous baptisms that are administered with water and in the name of the Trinity.
Above all, we welcome you to this congregation - its life, work, and ministry. Please know how grateful we are to God for your joining with us. We look forward to becoming a family of faith together.
Contact The Rev. Dr. Jonathan E. Carroll with questions or to arrange a visit.
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