We are delighted that you are interested in joining St. Charles!
The best way to learn about church membership is to come to the Chapel following morning worship. Representatives of the Membership Committee and Session will be there to answer your questions about our life together as a church and to give you informational material to take home.
There are five different ways to become a member:
Transfer of Membership
For those who:
1) have made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and been baptized
2) are active members in a church that transfers membership to Presbyterian Churches (e.g. other Presbyterian churches, United Methodist, Lutheran, Disciples of Christ, United Church of Christ, American Baptist, and some Episcopal churches)
After you have been received by the Session as a new member, the Session will write your previous church for a certificate of transfer.
Reaffirmation of Faith
For those who:
1) have made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and been baptized
2) are members of a Christian denomination church that does not transfer membership to Presbyterian churches (e.g. Roman Catholic, Southern Baptist, Pentecostal, some Episcopal, independent Christian/Church of Christ, etc.)
3) OR - you have not been active in a church for some period of time and may not be a member in good standing, and therefore cannot be transferred. (Presbyterian churches must review their rolls annually).
Reaffirmation consists in affirming the following questions:
“Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you reaffirm your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?”
“Will you continue to be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his Word and showing his love?”
“Will you be a faithful member of this congregation, joining in worship, spiritual nurture, Christian education, and service to the Lord?”
Profession of Faith and Baptism
If you have never publicly acknowledged your faith in God through Jesus Christ, you may become a member by making a confession of your faith and being baptized during a worship service.
A confession of faith consists in affirming the following questions:
“Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world?”
“Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Lord and Savior, trusting in his grace and love?”
“Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his Word and showing his love?”
Confirmation
When a person has been baptized as an infant or child, parents affirm their faith on behalf of the child and promise to nurture their child in faith. To become a full member of the church, the baptized person must make their own profession of faith where they “confirm” the vows made by the parents. The profession of faith consists of answering the questions above.
Affiliate Membership
A person who is a member of another Presbyterian Church and who will be living in the city temporarily (college students, military personnel, temporary work assignment) may become an affiliate member. An affiliate membership offers closer church ties while maintaining home church membership. Affiliate members do not have the privilege of vote in church meetings.
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