Membership at Christ Church

The Inquirers Class:

An Introduction to Membership at Christ Church Presbyterian

 

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The Membership Vows of Christ Church Presbyterian: Session Two Overview

 

At Christ Church Presbyterian, we take membership and membership commitment to the church seriously because the Bible takes it seriously. We have designed our Inquirers Class as an informative introduction to church membership that introduces you to what becoming a part of our local body of Christ entails. The two sessions give an overview of the membership vows and the DNA of Christ Church. First the importance of a credible profession of faith and the ability to take vows for membership is considered.

 

LISTEN TO THE FIRST SESSION OF THE INQUIRERS CLASS HERE

 

Structure of the Class

• The class is an open invitation for those who wish to learn about membership.

• The Inquirers Class is divided into two informative sessions:

  • Session One: Covers the Membership Vows.

  • Session Two: Focuses on understanding Christ Church Presbyterian, its distinctives, the historical faith we are a part of, and what it means to be a part of this church community.

 

Membership Requirements

• Prospective members must listen to The Inquirers Class, meet with Pastor John Blevins, and the Session.

• Prospective members must make a credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ.

• Members are required to take the membership vows of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).

• Church officers, including elders and deacons, must meet biblical qualifications outlined in the PCA Book of Church Order and uphold the Westminster Standards.

• Additional resources about Christ Church’s purpose, mission, vision, and values are available HERE.

 

Learning About the Membership Vows

 

Acknowledging Sin and Relying on God’s Sovereign Mercy

Vow: Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope save in His sovereign mercy?

• The Covenant of Works: Humanity’s fall began with Adam, who, as the covenant head, brought sin and death to all (Genesis 2, Romans 5:12).

• The Covenant of Grace: Despite Adam’s failure, God initiated a plan of redemption through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:18-19). Jesus came to save His people from their sins and offer eternal life through His obedience.

• God’s Sovereign Mercy: Romans 5:15-17 underscores that salvation is a gift of grace through Jesus Christ. True hope lies solely in Him.

• Reflection: The first vow challenges individuals to acknowledge their sin and turn to Christ in repentance.

 

Believing and Trusting in Jesus Christ

Vow: Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel? 

• Content of True Faith (notitia): Knowledge of the biblical Jesus as Prophet, Priest, and King is essential (Romans 1:3-4).

• Assent of True Faith (assensus): It is not enough to know; belief in the truth of Scripture is crucial. Even demons recognize Jesus’ divinity but are not saved (Matthew 8:28-30).

• Trust of True Faith (fiducia): Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 10:9 emphasize the necessity of trusting in Christ for forgiveness, producing a life marked by fruit (James 2:14-18).

• Reflection: The vow asks, “Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel?”

 

Living as Followers of Christ

Vow: Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ?

• Power of Godliness: Christians receive divine power to live godly lives (2 Peter 1:1-4).

• Pursuit of Godliness: A Christian’s life should exhibit growing virtues, reflecting salvation’s transformative power (2 Peter 1:5-9).

• Reflection: True faith is evidenced by godly living, emphasizing that faith alone justifies but never remains alone.

 

Supporting the Church’s Worship and Work

Vow: Do you promise to support the Church in its worship and work to the best of your ability?

• Support Through Devotion: Early Christians exemplified continual devotion to the church (Acts 2:42-47). This involved time, resources, and purpose.

• Areas of Support:

  • Worship: Encouragement in mutual worship (Psalm 134).

  • Discipleship: Building one another up through teaching and admonition (Ephesians 4:11-14, Colossians 3:16).

  • Outreach: Commitment to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).

• Reflection: The fourth vow commits members to engage fully in the life of the church for the glory of God.

 

Striving for Purity and Peace

Vow: Do you submit yourselves to the government and discipline of the Church, and promise to study its purity and peace?

• Destination and Pursuit: Christians are to strive for lives marked by holiness and peace, looking forward to the new heavens and earth (2 Peter 3:11-13).

• Obedience and Submission: Hebrews 13:17 stresses the importance of submitting to church leadership as they shepherd souls.

• Fruit of Discipline: Though discipline may be painful, it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11-14).

• Reflection: The fifth vow emphasizes working for the church’s purity and peace through submission and growth.

 

What A Credible Christian Profession of Faith Looks Like

A credible Christian profession of faith is a heartfelt acknowledgment of your sin that drives you to ask the Lord to forgive you of your sin, belief in and love for the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, and a commitment by God's grace to live a transformed life in obedience to God and in active support of His church.

• Acknowledgment of Sin and Need for Forgiveness

  • Recognizing yourself as a sinner in the sight of God, deserving His just displeasure, and without hope except in His sovereign mercy.

  • This acknowledgment reflects the reality of humanity's fall through Adam (Romans 5:12) and the necessity of repentance and faith in Christ’s redemptive work (Romans 5:18-19).

  • It leads to seeking God’s forgiveness and turning from sin.

• Belief in and Love for the Triune God

  • Professing belief in the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as revealed in Scripture.

  • The Father: Creator and sustainer of all things, whose love is displayed in sending His Son for our salvation (Genesis 1:1; John 3:16).

  • The Son: Our Savior, who lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and rose again to secure eternal life for His people (John 14:6; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

  • The Spirit: The Helper and Sanctifier, empowering believers to grow in holiness and faith (John 14:26; Galatians 5:22-23).

  • This belief is accompanied by a genuine love for God, expressed through worship and service.

• Trust in Jesus Christ Alone for Salvation

  • True faith involves knowing who Jesus is (notitia), assenting to the truth of the gospel (assensus), and placing personal trust in Him alone for salvation (fiducia).

  • Trusting Jesus means relying on His finished work for forgiveness and eternal life, as stated in Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 10:9.

  • This trust produces a life marked by the fruit of faith, demonstrating its authenticity (James 2:14-18).

• Commitment to Live as a Follower of Christ

  • By God’s grace, a Christian seeks to live a life transformed by the gospel, pursuing godliness through the power of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:1-4).

  • This life is marked by growing virtues, evidencing salvation’s transformative power (2 Peter 1:5-9).

  • Faith alone justifies, but true faith never remains alone—it is always accompanied by good works and a godly life.

• Support for the Worship and Work of the Church

  • A credible profession of faith includes devotion to the life and ministry of the local church (Acts 2:42-47).

  • This includes active participation in worship, discipleship, and outreach for God’s glory (Ephesians 4:11-14; Colossians 3:16; Matthew 28:16-20).

  • Believers are called to use their time, talents, and treasures to glorify God and support His church in its mission.

 

A credible Christian profession of faith encompasses these five elements, forming a cohesive commitment to God and His purposes. It is a declaration of trust in Christ, love for the Triune God, and a dedication to living faithfully within His church to His glory.

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Final Thoughts

Membership at Christ Church Presbyterian is more than attending services; it’s a covenantal commitment. By embracing these vows, members declare their faith in our Triune-God, support the body of Christ, pursue godliness, and commit to peace and unity in Christ. May you prayerfully consider these commitments as you seek to become a member of Christ Church Presbyterian. 

 

 

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The DNA of Christ Church Presbyterian: Session Two Overview

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At Christ Church Presbyterian, understanding who we are as a church is essential for those seeking membership. Session Two of the Inquirers Class focuses on the church’s identity, beliefs, and mission. Christ Church Presbyterian is a Christian, Protestant, Reformed, Covenantal, Presbyterian, and Ordinary Means of Grace church.

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LISTEN TO THE SECOND SESSION OF THE INQUIRERS CLASS HERE

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Key Points About Membership

• All neighbors are welcome to be guests at Christ Church.

• Membership requires a credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ and taking the membership vows.

• Church officers must meet biblical qualifications outlined in the PCA Book of Church Order and adhere to the Westminster Standards.

• Additional resources, such as recordings on the church’s purpose, mission, vision, and values, are available online HERE.

• Further classes delve into Christian living, Presbyterian distinctives, and Reformed theology are coming.​

 

We Are a Christian and Protestant Church

The Bible

• The Bible is God’s Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit and consisting of sixty-six books.

• It was written over 1,500 years, divided into the Old Testament (39 books) and the New Testament (27 books).

• Creation testifies to God’s existence (General Revelation), but the Bible uniquely reveals the gospel and guides us in living (Special Revelation).

• Key Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

God

• God’s existence is foundational and declared in Scripture.

• God is Triune: one God in three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).

• God’s attributes include being infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth (WSC Q4).

• Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, the Savior of sinners, who accomplished salvation through His life, death, and resurrection (Matthew 1:20-25).

The Gospel

• The gospel is the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.

• Key Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-5 “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, was buried, and raised on the third day.”

• Summary: The gospel is not about moral improvement but about salvation through faith in Jesus, who bore our sins and reconciled us to God.

Protestant Heritage

• Rooted in the Reformation, Protestantism emphasizes returning to biblical authority.

• Distinctives include salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, and the centrality of Scripture (Sola Scriptura).

 

We Are a Reformed and Covenantal Church

Reformed

• Emerging from the Protestant Reformation, the Reformed tradition emphasizes the total reformation of the churchaccording to Scripture.

• Core principles include Sola Scriptura and God’s Ordinary Means of Grace: Word, Sacraments, and Prayer.

• Governance by elders ensures biblical oversight of the church.

Doctrines of Grace (TULIP)

• Total Depravity: Humanity is entirely tainted by sin and unable to please God apart from grace (Ephesians 2:1-2).

• Unconditional Election: God’s choice to save is based entirely on His grace, not human merit (John 6:37-39).

• Limited Atonement: Christ’s atoning work was specifically for the elect (John 10:14-17).

• Irresistible Grace: God’s sovereign grace effectively brings the elect to faith (1 Peter 1:3-4).

• Perseverance of the Saints: God preserves His people, ensuring their ultimate sanctification (Romans 8:29-30).

Covenantal Theology

• Scripture unfolds God’s plan of redemption through covenants, including the Covenant of Grace revealedprogressively from Genesis to Revelation.

Biblical Worldview

• Reformed theology shapes every aspect of life under the Lordship of Christ, making all of life an act of worship.

 

We Are a Presbyterian and Ordinary Means of Grace Church

Church Government

• Christ Church is governed by elders (presbyters) who oversee, shepherd, and equip the congregation (Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-4).

• Elders focus on spiritual needs, while deacons serve the physical needs of the church (Acts 6).

Mission of the Church

• The church’s unique mission is to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).

• The church’s work includes worship, discipleship, and outreach.

Membership Benefits

• Encouragement, accountability, fellowship, and support.

• Growth in grace through Word, Sacraments, and Prayer.

• Opportunities for serving and being served in a covenant community.

 

Final Thoughts

Membership at Christ Church Presbyterian is a commitment to the gospel, the authority of Scripture, and participation in God’s covenant community. By embracing these principles, members join a church firmly rooted in historic Protestant and Reformed faith, focused on God’s glory through the Ordinary Means of Grace.

 

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