M E M B E R S H I P “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:27

Being a member of a is an enormous decision. It’s not like selecting a restaurant … picking a movie … or joining a club. There is so much more at stake than that!

The says we “are being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of Christ” (Col. 2:2). This “knitting” takes place as we worship together. As we celebrate together. As we care for each other. As we mourn together. As we defer to each other. As we confess our sins to one another. As we learn together. As we encourage each other. As we admonish each other. As we make a difference together. As we serve one another. As we bless the world together. As we proclaim truth together. As we forgive one another. If need be … as we die for one another.

In short, God has made us family. And we’re a family of love – love that believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, and never fails.

So, for you to consider entering into a of membership with us is extraordinarily flattering! But it’s also very challenging, for you want to be fruitful in your service to Christ. God has designed the church to be your primary resource for your spiritual health and effectiveness. That’s a big job, and we prayerfully hope to be up to the task.

But it’s a big commitment for you, too. Being a church member calls for commitment, faithfulness and sacrifice. You will be led by the Lord to give of your time, talents and treasures. And the other members will be counting on you to serve them through your unique giftedness.

We are praying with you as you consider this all-important decision. May God bless both you and St. John’s through this process.

God’s best to you, Bill Hartley, Pastor

M E M B E R S H I P V I D E O S

1. Go to www.SJLSpokane.org, and click the link on the home page that says “SJL MEMBERSHIP”. (We can also provide the videos on a flash drive for your computer.)

2. Watch/listen to each of the six videos.

3. While you are listening, use the checklist below to affirm your understanding of what Membership means at St. John’s.

4. When you have watched all six videos, contact St. John’s (either by email at [email protected], or by phone at 509.747.0984), and ask to schedule a Membership Interview with members of our Lay Ministry Team.

5. If after these steps both you and St. John’s have determined that God seems to be leading you into Membership, we will submit your application to the Parish Council for affirmation, and plan to welcome you into Membership in an upcoming worship service.

SESSION 1: On Being a Christian

I UNDERSTAND THAT… __ I am a Christian __ I have been baptized, or will be baptized __ As a Christian, I need a church __ As a Christian, the church needs me and my gifts __ I affirm the gravity of church membership, and don’t take this decision lightly

APOSTLES’ CREED (by checking, you affirm this truth without reservation) __ I believe in God, the Father Almighty, __ maker of heaven and earth. __ And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, __ our Lord, __ Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, __ suffered under Pontius Pilate, __ was crucified, died and was buried. __ He descended into hell. __ The third day He rose again from the dead. __ He ascended into heaven __ and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. __ From thence He will come __ to judge the living and the dead. __ I believe in the Holy Spirit, __ the holy Christian (catholic) Church, __ the communion of saints, __ the forgiveness of sins, __ the resurrection of the body, __ and the life everlasting. Amen.

SESSION 2: Worship

I UNDERSTAND THAT… __ St. John’s loves and will be shaped by its classical, liturgical heritage __ St. John’s and the LCMS believes in the real presence of Jesus in, with and through the elements of the __ LCMS churches graciously encourage those with a different doctrine of the Eucharist not to participate __ St. John’s and the LCMS believe in efficacious , whereby the one baptized receives forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit __ St. John’s practices both infant baptism, and adult baptism __ The empowerment of the sacraments is through the Word of God, not the church or pastor __ St. John’s is not dedicated to a certain worship style

SESSION 3: Discipleship

I UNDERSTAND THAT… __ I need a constant diet of the Word of God __ Being a Christian means growth and change __ The Word calls me to grow in Prayer __ The Word calls me to grow in Relationships __ The Word calls me to grow in Instruction __ The Word calls me to grow in Service __ The Word calls me to grow in Mission __ God has gifted teachers in the church for my growth

SESSION 4: Pastoral Care

I UNDERSTAND THAT… __ Pastoral Care at St. John’s is provided primarily through PRISM Groups __ The church of St. John’s can care for you better than the Pastor(s) alone __ I will not only receive care, but will be expected to be a part of the churchwide caregiving of others

SESSION 5: Mission

I UNDERSTAND THAT… __ Our mission is to make disciples through baptism (conversion) and teaching (discipling) __ I have a unique role to play in the evangelizing mission of our church

SESSION 6: The Uniqueness of St. John’s

I UNDERSTAND THAT… __ LCMS churches believe that “all Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit, powerful, efficacious, and is the church’s divine and sole authority over doctrine and life. They are without error, infallible, without contradiction.” __ St. John’s practices government: Jesus as head, congregation as authoritative, leadership commissioned to the Parish Council and Pastor. __ LCMS churches do not ordain women to the pastoral ministries of Word and sacrament __ LCMS churches believe in classical understandings of sexuality (heterosexuality, God-created biological genders) __ LCMS churches do not affirm or perform gay “marriages”

OUR EXPECTATIONS OF YOU

I UNDERSTAND THAT… __ I am expected to be praying for St. John’s __ I am expected to participate, especially in Sunday Divine Worship __ I am expected to forgive, and seek unity __ I am expected to give financially to St. John’s, and to grow in my giving __ I am expected to exercise my gifts in the St. John’s community __ I will carry the name of Christ, St. John’s and the LCMS into my daily life __ If led to leave St. John’s, I will do so reconciled, gracefully and lovingly