Why Join?

Members and non-members alike are welcome to participate in the life and ministry of Bay Presbyterian Church.  You don’t have to be a member to worship, take classes, get the Wednesday e-mails, have a child in student ministry, or put a check into the collection plate!

So then, why join?  Why not just “plug in” wherever you feel like it?  Why mess up a good thing by joining?

The answer is really simple.  At the heart of our Christian faith, is an open invitation to come and see what God is doing among His people.  Also at the heart of our faith is a call to commit to the Lord, to His people, and to His purposes.

In God’s perfect time, He joined us.  The Bible records, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”.  In other words, Jesus committed Himself to the work and mission of the Gospel.  When Peter preached the first Christian sermon on Pentecost, the people asked “What shall we do?” The answer was to repent and be baptized; in other words, make a commitment to the living Christ and His people.

In a day and age when many are wary of commitments – and maybe appropriately so – the Church is a place where we are called to enter into commitments that are deep, lasting, life-changing and life-giving.

We do not ever want to push people into membership at BPC.  Yet, we cannot discount the value of being people who are committed – to Christ, to His people, and to His mission.

We invite YOU to join US...

What does Membership provide? 

A member is entitled to all the rights and privileges of the church, including participation in the sacraments, participation in the meetings of the congregation, and to vote and hold office.

How do I know if I have Membership?

Three ways - have you been baptized, attended Membership classes and:

• Professed your Faith before Session and Congregation of BPC or
• Reaffirmed your Faith before Session and Congregation of BPC or
• Transferred your membership from another community of faith to BPC?

If you are able to answer YES to any one of the above questions, then you are a Member of BPC!  If you are not able to answer YES, or you are not sure how to answer, then your next step is to attend any one of our Membership Classes.

Why do I need to take a Membership Class?

Membership classes provide an opportunity for you to join with others who are seeking to make a public profession of their faith in Christ and unite themselves with Christ, His people and His work in the world.  During classes, we provide instruction, small group discussion and opportunities for asking questions on the following topics:  what it means to profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, what it means to be a Presbyterian, how a Presbyterian church operates, and lastly, what it means to specifically be a Bay Presbyterian and to be committed to our mission, vision and call.   The final class is when you are given the opportunity to unite in membership with BPC by one of the three ways listed above: 

• Profess your faith in Jesus Christ – perhaps doing so publicly for the first time!
• Reaffirm your faith in Jesus Christ – you have publicly professed your faith previously, but now wish to reaffirm that faith and become united with this family of faith.

Transfer your membership from another community of faith – you have already publicly proclaimed your faith in Jesus Christ and have been in membership with another Christian denomination and now wish to have yourself identified as a member of BPC.  You provide us where you were previously a member, and we make the transfer!

Sundays

Four Consecutive at 9:45 or 11:15 am

January 18 - February 8, 2009

Saturday

One day from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

October 4, 2008

Weeknight Evenings - Tuesday

Three sessions from 7:00 - 9:00 pm

March 17 - March 31, 2009

Click here to register for a class.

Important Reminder:  Only Active Members are allowed to vote on any decisions that BPC makes in the life of our congregation.

For questions regarding membership or desire more information, please feel free to email Karen Corcoran, Director of Equipping Ministries, or call at (440) 871-1503 x109.