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How do I start the process to become a member?
Email Membership Associate Connie McCarthy at cmcarthy@firstpresdalton.org or Pastor Mickey Shealy at mshealy@firstpresdalton.org. |
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Membership
A person may join First Presbyterian Church through transfer of membership from another Christian church, baptism and public profession of faith, or reaffirmation of faith.
Membership Transfer
Persons who are active members of another Christian church may transfer their membership. Simply contact a minister or the church office and we contact the transferring church.
Baptism and Public Profession of Faith
An adult who has never been baptized can become a member through the Sacrament of Baptism at a Sunday worship service. As part of the baptismal rite, one is asked to affirm his or her faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and asked to make a promise to be a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church.
Reaffirmation of Faith
For persons who have not been active in church for some time, and may not know if their name is currently on a church role, then they may join by reaffirmation of faith. Similar to a first time profession of faith, the person is asked to reaffirm their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and asked to make a promise to be a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church.
First Friends
Our “First Friends” program is a way to help our new members become involved and comfortable with our congregation. Each new member will have their own personal “First Friend” who will help them to feel an integral part of our church. They will help these new members become familiar with all facets of the church, emphasizing areas that would be of special interest (i.e. youth group, nursery, choir, etc.), invite them to in-church activities such as Sunday School, book club, etc., and outside church-related informal group activities such as lunch after church.
What does it mean to be a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church?
According to Scripture a person is saved by grace through faith. One cannot earn or buy or effect salvation for oneself, it is a free gift from God through his gracious mercy.
One’s faithfulness is a response to God’s gracious mercy and it can take many forms. One will likely hear faithfulness described using three “Ts” – time, talent, and tithes. Again, we are not trying to earn God’s love but rather respond to his love through the giving of our time to serve his church and his community; through the use of our talent or gifts which we believe everyone has regardless of age, education, or disability; and we show our faithfulness through the giving of our money.
One might say that there is a cost involved in church membership and that is correct. But we believe that a person will never fully appreciate the blessing of church membership without being fully invested in the life and work, ministry and mission of First Presbyterian Church. To be fully invested means that you will bless us by volunteering your time, using your gifts and skills, and returning to God a portion of the financial resources with which he has blessed you.
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