Becoming a Member
- You don't need to be a member to attend services.
- You don't need to be a member to be loved by God.
- You don't need to be a member to serve.
- You don't need to be a member even to belong.
But, it helps.
You see, membership is not a "have-to," a kind of payment to be accepted. The message of Jesus turns this kind of thinking upside down ... or right side up!
In the Kin_dom Jesus described, it's all about grace- about paying it forward, blessing first, equipping others with love. That's what takes away fear and resentment, so that what follows next ... is gratitude, and the desire to give on to someone else.
So membership is really a "get-to," a passing of grace along, adding to the stockpile of spiritual abundance, an ever-richer, ever-deeper identification with, and exploration of, the Divine Movement, and the Divine Mover.
The Beginning is Baptism
The basic rite of membership in Christianity is baptism, a ceremonial identification with Christ who was crucified and raised as a gift of love to the world. Baptism imitates this burial (down in the water) and rising (lifted up to life giving air) as our way of saying - "We identify with Jesus."
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Infant Baptism takes place, logically, in infancy - as an example of God's gifts fo grace in advance of our understanding or "earning" it. It is a powerful rite of God's grace which has been practiced since New Testament times.
- Believer Baptism takes place later in life - for teens, adults, and even seniors. In this way, it illustrates our desire and response to God's grace. This likewise is a powerful experience for the believer.
Both kinds of Baptism are celebrated at FGUC.
When persons baptized as infants want to experience that commitment as made in "believer baptism," and become adult members of the church, they may renew their baptismal vows in the rite of Confirmation.
It is customary for adults seeking Baptism or Confirmation to undertake a period of preparation and study - to understand more fully the meaning and expectations of their commitment.
Basic Christianity - Adult Study
A 6-8 week study (often led by Dr. Taylor) to help members and seekers alike to connect to God, gaining a clearer understanding of:
- what the Bible is (a guide that is simultaneously simple, complex, perplexing, and wondrous!)
- what the basic message of the Bible is (and the spiral faith history common to all)
- the diverse kinds of practices Christians undertake (for maturing and ministering)
- how the United Church of Canada works (i.e. - all churches are not the same!)
- and how the United Church seeks to participate in God's mission to mend the world.
The day and time of this study is negotiated with participants to facilitate their availability.
This course is offered twice per year - in fall and winter seasons.
Email Gordon ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to inquire about the possibilities.
