All you need if you want to become a member of St Peter's or St Paul's is an Electoral
Roll Enrolment Form and a ball point pen. Take this
enrolment form - read it - tick the right box - sign and
date it - job done! It's as simple as that!
However, being a member of a church involves more than
signing a piece of paper. Being a member of a church is a
commitment to God and a commitment to His people and to
His world.
Different churches and
denominations have different approaches to membership.
Some offer preparation and assessment before accepting
people into membership. Others may also keep its members
under close review, and monitor to make sure that only
people who are living a consistent Christian life and are
actively involved with church life are on their list.
The Anglican Church
has an "open" approach. It invites individuals
to make their own choice about membership, and only when
a person's Christian life or attendance clearly falls
short of what is appropriate are their names removed from
membership.
"Open"
membership works well when it allows people to find their
own path to faith. It means that Anglican churches can
have {'fuzzy edges"; and that people who are at
different stages in their Christian life can be part of
the church 's membership. But "open" membership
also runs the risk of reducing being part of a church to
a mere matter of signing a piece of paper!
And so, when you join
the electoral roll of our churches, we hope you will
agree to make - and to maintain - the following
commitments:
- Seek
to obey the Lord Jesus in all things, and live
your life in accordance with his will.
- Continue
to develop your personal relationship with God
through regular prayer and study of the Bible
- Continue
to think about your faith and how it relates to
your home life, daytime occupation, leisure time
and the world in which you live.
- Be
regular in public worship with other members of
your church family (unless illness or infirmity
prevent you.)
- Take
part in the fellowship and work of the church.
This will include praying for the church and its
members; caring for the needy by offering
practical. help; giving regular financial
support; and using the spiritual gifts and
talents God has given you to benefit others in
their Christian life and growth.
- Pray
for and support the authority of those in leadership
- Seek
to share your faith with others.
- Support
the work of God's church world-wide.
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