It was at Easter that men and women were received into membership in the early years of the church. In the formative centuries, the ritual for membership was elaborate, generally involving three years of study culminating in a two-step process beginning with baptism followed by reception as a member.
Those who went through the process were called “Catechumens”, a word from the Greek for “instruction”. The Catechumens spent three years learning Scripture, theology, and creeds. At the end of the instructional period, the Catechumens were examined by the bishop, who would decide whether a person was ready to join the church, or whether he or she might need more instruction.
Things are much simpler for Inquirers now: instead of three years, we ask those who feel called to membership to participate in three classes on Sunday mornings. We are especially eager to help our Inquirers understand Presbyterian history and theology, since most new members come to us from other denominations and faith communities. We teach them about Reformed theology, as well as the Book of Order and our Book of Confessions, which together make up the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Here’s what the Book of Order teaches us about membership in the church: “A faithful member accepts Christ’s call to be involved responsibly in the ministry of his Church. Such involvement includes:
a. Proclaiming the good news,
b. taking part in the common life and worship of the church,
c. praying and studying Scripture and the faith of the Christian Church,
d. supporting the work of the church through the giving of money, time, and talents,
e. participating in the governing responsibilities of the church,
f. demonstrating a new quality of life with and through the church,
g. responding to God’s activity in the world through service to others,
h. living responsibly in the personal, family, vocational, political, cultural, and social relationship of life,
i. and working in the world for peace, justice, freedom, and human fulfillment.
As we welcome our newest members on Palm Sunday, I invite you to reflect on how you are doing with this list. No bishop – or pastor – will examine you! But the list provides a helpful reminder that Jesus, who is the Head of the Church, calls us to active membership, serving one another, serving the church, and serving all the world as we proclaim the gospel, and especially the joyous news of Easter: He is Risen!
He is Risen indeed!
Pastor Skip
