Becoming a Member of Messiah

Considering becoming a member of our community? Here are some frequently asked questions you may be asking:

Membership at Messiah is not about drawing lines or creating insiders and outsiders. Everyone who worships, serves, or prays with us is already a part of this community in the most important ways. What formal membership does is express that belonging in a visible, public way. It’s how we celebrate you and your presence within this community and the larger body of Christ.

Beyond that, membership does carry with it some practical significance. Because we are a democratically governed congregation, members are entrusted with voting rights in congregational matters and are permitted to serve in elected and appointed leadership roles. This reflects our belief that the ultimate authority of the Church rests not with the pastors or bishops but within the gathered community of believers.

When you are welcomed as a member, you will be asked to join the whole congregation in freely and joyfully expressing your faith in Jesus Christ in accordance with the words of the Apostles’ Creed. You will additionally be asked whether you will strive to:

  • Show up with this faith community to worship, receive the sacraments, hear God’s Word, study, pray, and serve.

  • Practice being curious about Scripture, your neighbor, and God’s ongoing creation in daily life.

  • Share your sense of call and unique talents with a spirit of generosity in the life of the congregation.

In the Rite of Reception, these statements of commitments are followed by the new members’ response of “We will, and we ask God to help us.” This is important because it acknowledges that you are not asked to fulfill these commitments perfectly (no one can) but to strive for them with God’s grace and the support of your new faith community.

Our Evangelical Lutheran tradition understands baptism as the foundational mark to belonging to the body of Christ. If you have already been baptized in another Christian community in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, your baptism is fully recognized and there is no need for baptism again.

If you have not been baptized, we would love to celebrate that gift for you. We believe baptism is indeed a gift – not something we earn or decide for ourselves. We believe baptism has the power to create and stir up faith, rather than a reward for those who can articulate their faith. If you are not ready to be baptized, we will still joyfully welcome you to participate in the life of our community. The gift of baptism will always be offered and held out to you whenever you are ready to take that next step.

For children who are not baptized, the same approach applies: the whole family is embraced and welcomed to our community, regardless of baptism. However, baptism is freely offered to children at the time of receiving the family or whenever the parents discern is right for them and their family. 

In our tradition, those who are baptized as children can express their faith and their decision to be Christians for themselves in the Rite of Confirmation which occurs around the ages of 13-15.

Baptism is an important part of the Christian life, so if you have any questions or concerns at all about baptism, please be in conversation with Pastor Trent about it.

You will be in good company at Messiah! We are a community of seekers and lifelong learners. Our members hold a variety of questions and perspectives. We believe that wrestling with faith is a part of discipleship, not a barrier to it. While our Pastor and congregation will faithfully teach and model our communal lives according to Scripture, the historic creeds, and the Book of Concord, there is still much about the Christian life that is not so straightforward and requires a willingness to explore our doubts and questions together. At Messiah, you’ll find lots of ways to engage deeply with theological questions through Sunday sermons, weekly Bible studies, periodic small groups, or our weekly Forums.

If you’d like to learn more about Evangelical Lutheran belief and practice, you might like to explore:

Of course, the best option is to simply have a conversation with Pastor Trent who will be delighted to answer questions and help you navigate other resources or find reliable information.

The best preparation is participation – come to worship, meet people, and take part in our different ministries and activities. As part of that journey, we invite everyone exploring membership to participate in The Way, our six-week introduction to Christian discipleship and life at Messiah. This not so much a “new member class” as it is an opportunity to reflect on what it means to follow Jesus, explore the unique emphases of our Lutheran movement, and to discover how God is calling you uniquely into ministry and relationship. All Messiah members – whether they have been here for 6 months or 6 years – are encouraged to take part in The Way at least once. This opportunity is offered twice every year. On Monday nights (in-person or via Zoom) in September and October and again on Sunday mornings during our 9:30 Forum time in the Lenten season (usually February and March). So, if you are interested in joining Messiah, being baptized, reaffirming your faith, or simply exploring the Chrisitan way of life further, keep an eye on the Messiah calendar and newsletter to join us for the next round of The Way.

Messiah formally welcomes new members (either through the Rite of Reception or the Sacrament of Baptism) two Sundays a year – Easter Sunday (or a Sunday in the Easter Season), and on Reformation Sunday (usually the last Sunday of October). 

That is perfectly fine. You can worship, serve, and participate in our life together without becoming a formal member. We encourage you to take your time, ask questions, and discern when you feel ready to take this next step. At the same time, we hope you will come to view membership not as something you have to prove or earn. It is truly a freely offered gift of this community’s affirmation that you are a beloved child of God and that we welcome and honor you as such.