EXPLORING MEMBERSHIP

What’s this seminar all about?

OUR PURPOSETo get to know one another better

To get information about our church, our core beliefs, our denomination, and the meaning and value of church membershipTo encourage you to discover and to take the next step in your spiritual journey

EXPLORING…The Good News about Jesus

Who is God, and what is He like?He is the Creator He is the King

(Sovereign) over all thingsHe is a Spiritual

BeingHe is personal (He can be known)

He is a GLORIOUS Being

He is all-powerful & all-knowing

“Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD Almighty; Heaven and Earth are full of His glory.”

Isaiah 6:3

What is Man?Man is a Created Being

Body & Spirit

Man is created in God’s Image “in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the other creatures”

Man is personal (we can know and be known by others)

Mankind is designed for an intimate, love relationship with God

Mankind is corrupted by SIN and unable to enjoy the relationship with God which He designed us for

“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

(Romans 3:23)

“The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23)

“There is no one who is righteous, no, not one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have

turned away, they have together become worthless,

there is no one who does good, not even one.” (Romans

3:10-12)

Who is Jesus?He is fully

Man – Son of Mary

He is fully God – God’s One and Only Son He is Savior &

Redeemer“We all like sheep have gone astray; each of us has turned to his own way,

but the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)

“{God} made Him who knew no sin (Jesus) to be sin for us,

That we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

(2 Corinthians 5:21)

“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in {Jesus}, and through him to reconcile to himself all things… by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20)

WHY DID GOD DO IT? “But God demonstrates His own great love for us in this: while we were still

sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“Behold, what manner of love the Father has given unto us, that we should be

called the ‘children of God’!” 1 John 3:1

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,

That whosoever should believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting

life.” John 3:16

Our Response to the Good NewsFaith (personal trust, confidence) toward Jesus

Repentance of sin (turning away from sin)

“I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in REPENTANCE and have FAITH in our Lord Jesus.” Acts 20:21

“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’”

Acts 2:34

“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off– for all whom the Lord our God will call.’”

Acts 2:38-39

“Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, he gave the right to

become children of God.”John 1:12

EXPLORING THE GOOD NEWS

Q & A

A prayer to receive Jesus Christ“Lord Jesus, I need you.Thank you for dying on the

Cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and

receive you as my Savior and Lord.

Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life.

Take control of my life, and make me the person you want me to be.

Amen.”

EXPLORING…The Evangelical Presbyterian Church

Informational video, “A Family of Churches”

The EPC MottoIn Essentials, Unity;In Non-Essentials,

Liberty;In All Things, Charity

The EPC “Essentials of the Faith”

Foundation of the “Essentials”The Authority of Scripture

Essential of the Faith #1The Holy Trinity

Essential of the Faith #2

The Person and Work of Christ

Essential of the Faith #3The Work of the Holy Spirit

Essential of the Faith #4

Faith in Christ

Essential of the Faith #5The Marks of the Church

Essential of the Faith #6

Christ’s Second Coming

Essential of the Faith #7

The Great Commission

ESSENTIALS VIDEO…

EXPLORING the E.P.C…Q & A

EXPLORING…Lookout Valley Presbyterian Church

A (very!) brief history…

Our Staff at LVPC…Reverend Grady Davidson, Senior Pastor

Chris Epperson, Director of Music MinistriesEmily Hammett, Accompanist

Kay Dintsch, Secretary / BookkeeperAmanda Beecher, Nursery Worker

Angie Harwood, Custodian

GRADY DAVIDSON

CHRIS EPPERSON

EMILY HAMMETT

KAY DINTSCH

AMANDA BEECHER & KIDS IN THE NURSERY

Church OfficersSESSION

TE Grady DavidsonRE Betsy Fryar(Clerk of Session)RE Steve EvansRE Susan FryarRE Bruce Williams

DEACONSKeith Thompson (chairman)Keith LewisDiane HulganRich BeecherChris Ripple

LVPC Mission StatementLOVE GOD.

LOVE OTHERS.SERVET HE WORLD.

LVPC VISION STATEMENT FOR 2015

“WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU, DO IT.” John 2:5

Opportunities for growth, fellowship, and service at LVPC include…

Weekly Sunday morning worship

LIFE Studies for Christian Discipleship (Sunday Mornings)

Friends Small Groups (Sunday evenings)

Wednesday prayer group (1 pm)

Crawford Class (Adult Discipleship) and WORD Class (Children

Wednesday Night Bible Study & Prayer Meeting

Chancel ChoirForeign missions partnership &

personal involvement

Totally Tuesday Tutoring Ministry

Keep in touch with “The Welcome Mat” & www.lookoutvalleypc.com

AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!

EXPLORING L.V.P.C…Q & A

EXPLORING…

Church Membership

In the EPC we recognize 3 types of membership in the local church…

“CONFIRMED”

“BAPTIZED”

“AFFILIATE”

CONFIRMED MEMBERS“Those who have been baptized and who have

made a public profession of their

faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and

who have been admitted to active membership by the Church Session are

entitled to participate in the governing of the

Church by voting in meetings of the

congregation.” –B.O.G. 6.1A

WHAT ARE THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR CONFIRMED MEMBERSHIP?

“Those and who have

as Lord and Savior and who have been ADMITTED TO ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP BY THE CHURCH SESSION

are entitled to participate in the governing of the Church by voting in meetings of the congregation.”

WHO HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED

MADE A PUBLIC PROFESSION OF THEIR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

What does the Session look for in prospective members?Three things….

A DESIRE TO WORSHIP WITH OUR CHURCH FAMILY

A DESIRE TO GROW SPIRITUALLY IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY

A DESIRE TO SERVE CHRIST IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY

(you intend to be present for worship on the Lord’s Day unless providentially hindered)

(you intend to become involved in a Sunday School class or small group)

(you will explore ministry opportunities and become involved in a place of service)

BAPTIZED MEMBERS“All those whose parent(s)

are members in good standing in a

congregation are to be considered members of the covenant by right of birth

and adoption. As such, they are entitled to pastoral

oversight, to instruction, to nurture, and to

encouragement to embrace Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Such persons are entitled to receive the sacrament of

Baptism. Upon reception of that sacrament, they shall

be enrolled as Baptized Members.” –B.O.G. 6.1B

AFFILIATE MEMBERS“Persons separated geographically from their home

church because of educational, military, or other reasons, may ask to be received as affiliate

members according to the procedures set forth in Section 9-4. This affiliation shall be good for

one year and may be renewed. Such affiliates shall be given the rights and privileges of confirmed

members, including the oversight and concern of the Church Session, except they may not vote or hold elected office within the congregation.” --

B.O.G. 6.1C

Why is membersh

ipImportant

? A generation ago church membership was very

important to most people. Having your name on the rolls as a “member in good standing” was an important aspect of personal identity. However, in our present day

the value of church membership has largely been forgotten. Sometimes, I’ll hear the question asked,

“Why should I join the church? I’m a Christian. I’m part of the world-wide Body of Believers; so what’s the point of taking formal vows of church membership?” I’m glad

you asked such a great question!

THREE REASONS FOR FORMAL MEMBERSHIP…First of all there is the BIBLICAL REASON… Christ is committed to the Church! He loves the Church and gave His life for her. If my Lord is committed to the Church, shouldn’t I be as well? Second of all there is the CULTURAL REASON… Church membership is an antidote to the apathy of our society. In our culture, few people will commit themselves to anything! This attitude has generated a generation of church-hoppers and church-shoppers. Your membership at LVPC swims against the current of “consumer religion.”

Third, there’s a PRACTICAL REASON…. Church membership defines who can be counted on. Every team has a roster. Every employer has a payroll. Every army has an enlistment. Membership defines you as a part of the team! Your membership opens up doors for you to discover your own unique and fulfilling ministry in the church, and the church family knows that you can be counted on to fulfill your ministry with pride and excellence.

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership identifies you as a _____________________________________. (Ephesians 2:19, Romans 12:5)2. Membership provides you with a _________________________________to support and encourage you as you walk with Christ. (Galatians 6:12, Hebrews 10:24-25)

3. Membership gives you the opportunity to discover your ___________________________________and use them in ministry.

4. Membership places you under the ___________________________________of Godly teachers. (Acts 20:28-29)

5. Membership gives you the __________________________________that you need to grow.

TRUE BELIEVER

SPIRITUAL FAMILY

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

SPIRITUAL PROTECTION

ACCOUNTABILITY

What are the EPC vows Of church membership?

1. Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in the sight of God and without hope for your salvationexcept in His sovereign mercy?

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

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

4. Do you promise to serve Christ in His Church by supporting and participating with this congregation in its service of God and its ministry to others to the best of your ability?

5. Do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and to the spiritual oversight of this Church Session, and do you promise to promote the unity, purity and peace of the Church?

EXPLORING MEMBERSHIP…

Q & A