Tell me about… Joining the Church
Church membership in the Presbyterian Church in Canada is more than simply attending worship services on Sunday morning. Membership involves taking an active role in the life and work of the congregation, extending beyond our cushioned pews. As a part of the Reformed Tradition, congregational membership is by choice rather than by proximity. This differs from Anglican or Roman Catholic traditions, which use a parish model, where one is expected to attend the church that they live closest to. Within the Presbyterian Church in Canada, one may attend the church of their choice, initially becoming an adherent, and if they so desire, they may actually join the church as a full communicant member. While it is certainly possible for one to be an adherent over the long term, most people who decide to attend the congregation and become involved with its life and work also choose to become members.
How do I become a member?
The short answer: talk to the minister. John is available by phone, email, or catch up with him following the worship service on Sunday.
There are three different ways one can become a member of Clarkson Road Presbyterian Church.
By Profession of Faith;
This is the step that most people joining the church for the first time take. Usually this follows a series of classes with the minister, sometimes involving members of the congregation who share their stories. The candidates are then presented to the congregation and welcomed as new members. In some cases, if someone was not baptized as a child, this would also be the time that they would be baptized.
By Certificate of Transfer;
People who have been members of other congregations who have either moved into the area, or have elected to start attending another church can have their membership transferred to their new congregation. As with profession of faith, those who are received by Certificate of Transfer do so in the context of the worship service.
By Resolution of Session;
On occasion there are circumstances where neither the above guidelines apply. Sometimes its case where someone who was once a member, whose membership has lapsed, who has become active again. They can ask the Session to restore their membership by special resolution.
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