In many liturgical traditions of Christianity (such as Catholicism, Lutheranism and Anglicanism), catechumens are received into church membership during the Easter Vigil.[1]

Church membership, in Christianity, is the state of belonging to a local church congregation, which in most cases, simultaneously makes one a member of a Christian denomination and the universal Christian Church.[2][3] Christian theologians have taught that church membership is commanded in the Bible.[4][5] The process of becoming a church member varies based on the Christian denomination. Those preparing to become full members of a church are known variously as catechumens, candidates or probationers depending on the Christian denomination and the sacramental status of the individual.[6][7]

Theology of church membership

"The Church is the congregation of saints, in which the Gospel is rightly taught and the Sacraments are rightly administered." –Augsburg Confession[8]

Christian theologians such as Bostwick Hawley teach that church membership is commanded in scripture, grounding this in the fact that "apostolic letters are addressed to the Churches", "Apostolic salutations are to Churches", "Jesus Christ is the founder of the Church", "authority and power of discipline are vested in the Church", "Believers on earth are a part of the true spiritual Church", the "general Church is the spiritual kingdom of Christ", "Jesus Christ is Head of the Church, and Christians in an organized capacity are the body", "Ecclesia, meaning assembly...designates a Church, or congregation of Christians, having the ordinances of the Gospel and discipline duly administered", and "To the Church belong the ministry, the Scriptures, and ordinances for the perfecting of the saints".[4] Hawley states that the duty of church membership is taught:[4]

1. From the teaching and practice of the apostles. Acts ii, 41, 47; xiv, 23, 27; Rom. i, 7; 1 Cor. i, 2; Eph. iii, 5.

2. From the authority of our Lord. Matt. xxviii, 19; xviii, 18; iv, 19.

3. The Church is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and Christians share his influences somewhat because of a union with the Church. Eph. ii, 20–22; 1 Pet. ii, 5; Heb. iii, 6; 1 Cor. iii, 16; 2 Cor. vi, 16.

4. Christians derive spiritual life and health from the Head of the Church, because of a union with him in the Church. John v, 24; xx, 31; 1 John v, 11, 12.

5. Religious prosperity is promoted in the Church. Matt. xviii, 20; John. xiv, 23; xv, 4 ; Eph. v, 23, 26, 27.

6. The perpetuity of the Church depends on the union of Christians with it. Isa. ix, 7; Dan. ii, 44; Matt. xxviii, 20; I Cor. xi, 26; xv, 25.[4]

Reformed theologian Kevin DeYoung argues that church membership keeps Christians accountable to God.[9] Missiologist Ed Stetzer states that membership in the church exemplifies covenant theology.[10]

Church membership by Christian denomination

Anabaptist

Those who are interested in becoming an Anabaptist Christian are known as Seekers. After a person has attended an Anabaptist church and wishes to join church membership, he or she enters a six-month proving period in which he/she "is instructed in the church beliefs and practices, which may include review of the church guidance and statements of faith, such as Dordrecht Confession of Faith (1633)".[11] After the proving period, the probationer is baptized and is accepted as a member of the congregation.[11]

Baptist

In the Baptist tradition, individuals join the church through a profession of faith and receiving credobaptism.[12] Those who have received believer's baptism in another congregation can simply transfer their membership to another Baptist church through a letter of transfer.[12]

Catholicism

In the Catholic Church, church membership includes those who have received the sacrament of baptism.[6] Individuals who have been baptized in another mainstream Christian denomination who wish to be received as a member of the Catholic Church are known as candidates and their reception into the Catholic Church is done through a profession of faith, followed by the reception of Holy Communion and Confirmation.[6] Those persons who have never received the sacrament of baptism are canonically considered non-Christians and if they are preparing to become a member of the Catholic Church, they are known as catechumens.[6] Such persons join the Catholic Church through a process called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.[6] This period typically lasts for one year.[13] Subsequent to joining the Catholic Church is a period of mystagogy, defined as the "journey of growing closer to God and deepening understanding and practice of the faith."[14]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church notes that a distinction can be made between those people who are members "in a bodily manner" and those "in the heart" of the church, warning that members of the body of the Church who "[do] not persevere in charity" cannot be assured of salvation.[15]

The Instrumentum laboris of the XIII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops acknowledged that in some parts of the world, the Catholic Church is "witnessing a decline in sacramental and Christian practice among the faithful to the point that some members can even be called 'non-believers' (Greek: άπιστοι, apistoi).[16]

Lutheranism

In the Lutheran Churches, those raised in the tradition normatively become church members through receiving baptism, confirmation, and first communion.[17] Individuals who are not raised as Lutheran Christians who seek to join church membership undergo a period of instruction in which they attend a class that teaches Luther's Small Catechism.[17] Upon completion, they are received into church membership.[17]

Methodism

Traditionally, Methodist connexions descending from the tradition of the Methodist Episcopal Church have a probationary period of six months before an individual is admitted as a full member of a congregation.[18] Given the wide attendance at Methodist revival meetings, many people started to attend Methodist services of worship regularly, though they had not yet committed to membership.[18] When they made that commitment, becoming a probationer was the first step and during this period, probationers "receive additional instruction and provide evidence of the seriousness of their faith and willingness to abide by church discipline before being accepted into full membership."[18] In addition to this, to be a probationary member of a Methodist congregation, a person traditionally requires an "earnest desire to be saved from [one's] sins".[18] In the historic Methodist system, probationers were eligible to become members of class meetings, where they could be further discipled in their faith.[18] Catechisms such as The Probationer's Handbook, authored by S. Olin Garrison, have been used by probationers to learn the Methodist faith.[19] After six months, probationers were examined before the Leaders and Stewards' Meeting (which consisted of Class Leaders and Stewards) where they were to provide "satisfactory assurance both of the correctness of his faith and of his willingness to observe and keep the rules of the church."[18] If probationers were able to do this, they were admitted as full members of the congregation by the pastor.[18] Full members of a Methodist congregation "were obligated to attend worship services on a regular basis" and "were to abide by certain moral precepts, especially as they related to substance use, gambling, divorce, and immoral pastimes."[18] This practice continues in certain Methodist connexions, such as the Lumber River Conference of the Holiness Methodist Church, in which probationers must be examined by the pastor, class leader, and board for full membership, in addition to being baptized.[20] The same structure is found in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, which teaches:[7]

In order that we may not admit improper persons into our church, great care be taken in receiving persons on probation, and let not one be so received or enrolled who does not give satisfactory evidence of his/her desire to flee the wrath to come and to be saved from his/her sins. Such a person satisfying us in these particulars may be received into our church on six months probation; but shall not be admitted to full membership until he/she shall have given satisfactory evidence of saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. —¶89, The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church[7]

The pastor and class leader are to ensure that "that all persons on probation be instructed in the Rules and Doctrines of The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church before they are admitted to Full Membership" and that "probationers are expected to conform to the rules and usages of the Church, and to show evidence of their desire for fellowship in the Church".[7] After the six-month probation period, "A probationer may be admitted to full membership, provided he/she has served out his/her probation, has been baptized, recommended at the Leaders' Meeting, and, if none has been held according to law, recommended by the Leader, and, on examination by the Pastor before the Church as required in ¶600 has given satisfactory assurance both of the correctness of his/her faith, and of his/her wilingess to observe and keep the rules of our Church."[7] The Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection admits to associate membership, by vote of the congregation, those who give affirmation to two questions: "1) Does the Lord now forgive your sins? 2) Will you acquaint yourself with the discipline of our connection and earnestly endeavor to govern your life by its rules as God shall give you understanding?"[21] Probationers who wish to become full members are examined by the Advisory Board before being received as such through four vows (on the New Birth, Entire Sanctification, Outward Holiness, and assent to the Articles of Religion) and a covenant.[21] In the United Methodist Church, the process of becoming a professing member of a congregation is done through the taking membership vows (normatively in the rite of confirmation) after a period of instruction and receiving the sacrament of baptism.[22] It is the practice of certain Methodist connexions that when people become members of a congregation, they are offered the Right Hand of Fellowship.[21][23] Methodists traditionally celebrate the Covenant Renewal Service as the watchnight service annually on New Year's Eve, in which members renew their covenant with God and the Church.[24]

Moravian and Hussite

In the Moravian Church, those seeking to become church members normatively do so through confirmation (as is the case of those raised in the Church).[25] Those transferring from other mainstream Christian denominations receive the Right Hand of Fellowship, while non-Christians receive the sacrament of baptism as they enter the Church.[25]

Pentecostalism

Holiness Pentecostalism

The process of becoming a member in churches of the Holiness Pentecostal tradition is similar to that of the Methodist tradition. In the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, those persons who have experienced the New Birth are eligible for membership.[26] Members are required to assent to and adhere to the Fire Baptized Holiness Church's general standards.[26]

Finished Work Pentecostalism

In the Assemblies of God, a Finished Work Pentecostal denomination, church membership is taught as being "in harmony with the whole of New Testament teaching."[27]

Reformed

Continental Reformed

In the Reformed Church of America, two tiers of membership include Baptized Members and Confessing Members.[28] Confessing Members are those who "have been baptized and have professed or reaffirmed their faith before a board of elders."[28]

Presbyterian

Individuals who wish to join the membership of the Presbyterian Church do so through a profession of faith and baptism (if they have not received the sacrament).[29]

Congregationalist

Those who wish to join Congregationalist church membership indicate their interest to the minister who enrolls them in a membership class.[30] Upon completing the membership class, a board of deacons approves the names after which they are "received into membership as part of a regular worship service".[30]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Chanchreek, K. L. (2007). Encyclopaedia of Great Festivals. Shree Publishers & Distributors. p. 119. ISBN 978-81-8329-191-0. The traditional, liturgical observation of Easter, as practised among Roman Catholics and some Lutherans and Anglicans begins on the night of Holy Saturday with the Easter Vigil...it is the time when new members are initiated into the Church, and it is being revived in some other circles. Whether there are baptisms at this point or not, it is traditional for the congregation to renew the vows of their baptismal faith.
  2. ↑ Simcox, William Henry (1881). The Beginnings of the Christian Church: Lectures Delivered in the Chapter-room of Winchester Cathedral. Rivingtons. p. 254. ...even in these the supreme authority on all spiritual matters is, to his mind, the Church--the Church Universal, represented to the individual by the local Church of which he is a member; that local Church being represented by its bishop, presbyters and deacons.
  3. ↑ The Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline of the Global Methodist Church. Global Methodist Church. 2021. p. 25. All baptized or professing members of any local Global Methodist congregation are members of the Global Methodist Church and members of the church universal.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Stephen O. Garrison (1908). Probationer's Handbook. Eaton and Mains. pp. 42, 43.
  5. ↑ Pribble, Stephen (2003). "Is Church Membership Optional?". Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Catechumen or Candidate?". University of Dayton. Archived from the original on 12 June 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. 2012. ISBN 978-1-4969-5704-7.
  8. ↑ See Augsburg Confession, Article 7, Of the Church
  9. ↑ DeYoung, Kevin (14 May 2015). "6 Reasons Why Membership Matters". The Gospel Coalition. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  10. ↑ Ed Stetzer (7 July 2015). "Membership Matters: 3 Reasons for Church Membership". Christianity Today.
  11. 1 2 "Frequently Asked Questions". BeachyAM. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  12. 1 2 "Becoming A Member". Memorial Baptist Church. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  13. ↑ "RCIA Planning" (PDF). Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  14. ↑ Racine, Joyce (31 March 2010). "Mystagogy is a lifelong journey of growing closer to God, deepening our faith". Today's Catholic. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  15. ↑ Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 837, accessed 26 October 2022, cf. Vatican Council II, Lumen Gentium, section 14, accessed 26 October 2022
  16. ↑ "The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith – Instrumentum Laboris". www.vatican.va. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  17. 1 2 3 "Membership by Adult Instruction". Redeemer Lutheran Church. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Scott, David W. (26 July 2016). Mission as Globalization: Methodists in Southeast Asia at the Turn of the Twentieth Century. Lexington Books. p. 65. ISBN 978-1-4985-2664-7.
  19. ↑ Kirby, James E.; Rivera, Feliciano; Kirby, James; Richey, Russell E.; Rowe, Kenneth E. (1996). The Methodists. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 223. ISBN 978-0-313-22048-7.
  20. ↑ Sanderson, Jimmy; Scott, Stanley; Hunt, Elton B.; Belcher, Dianne B.; Woods, James H. (2011). Doctrines and Discipline of the Lumber River Conference of the Holiness Methodist Church. pp. 17–18.
  21. 1 2 3 The Discipline of the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection (Original Allegheny Conference). Salem: Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection. 2014. pp. 42–47.
  22. ↑ Manskar, Steve (2012). "The Meaning of Membership in The United Methodist Church". The United Methodist Church. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  23. ↑ Guidebook of the Emmanuel Association of Churches. Logansport: Emmanuel Association. 2002. pp. 25–28.
  24. ↑ Manskar, Steve (2012). "Covenant Renewal". Discipleship Ministries. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  25. 1 2 "Becoming a Member". Ephraim Moravian Church. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  26. 1 2 Frazier, Patrick L. Jr., ed. (1990). Manual of the Fire-Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas (PDF). Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas. pp. 73–76.
  27. ↑ Grisworld, Larry (1 October 2019). "Why Church Membership?". Assemblies of God. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  28. 1 2 "How to join a local church". Reformed Church in America. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  29. ↑ "Membership". Faith Presbyterian Church. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  30. 1 2 "Constitution". First Congregational Church. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
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