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EXPLORING MEMBERSHIP

EXPLORING MEMBERSHIP. What’s this seminar all about? . OUR PURPOSE. To get to know one another better. To get information about our church, our core beliefs, our denomination, and the meaning and value of church membership.

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EXPLORING MEMBERSHIP

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  1. EXPLORING MEMBERSHIP What’s this seminar all about?

  2. OUR PURPOSE To get to know one another better To get information about our church, our core beliefs, our denomination, and the meaning and value of church membership To encourage you to discover and to take the next step in your spiritual journey

  3. EXPLORING…The Good News about Jesus

  4. Who is God, and what is He like? He is the King (Sovereign) over all things He is the Creator He is a Spiritual Being He is personal (He can be known) He is a GLORIOUS Being He is all-powerful & all-knowing

  5. “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD Almighty; Heaven and Earth are full of His glory.” Isaiah 6:3

  6. What is Man? Body & Spirit Man is personal (we can know and be known by others) Man is created in God’s Image “in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the other creatures” Man is a Created Being Mankind is corrupted by SIN and unable to enjoy the relationship with God which He designed us for Mankind is designed for an intimate, love relationship with God

  7. “There is no one who is righteous, no, not one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless, there is no one who does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:10-12) “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23)

  8. Who is Jesus? He is fully God – God’s One and Only Son He is fully Man – Son of Mary He is Savior & Redeemer “We all like sheep have gone astray; each of us has turned to his own way, but the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6) “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in {Jesus}, and through him to reconcile to himself all things… by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20) “{God} made Him who knew no sin (Jesus) to be sin for us, That we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

  9. WHY DID GOD DO IT? “But God demonstrates His own great love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 “Behold, what manner of love the Father has given unto us, that we should be called the ‘children of God’!” 1 John 3:1 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, That whosoever should believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

  10. Our Response to the Good News Faith (personal trust, confidence) toward Jesus Repentance of sin (turning away from sin) “I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in REPENTANCE and have FAITH in our Lord Jesus.” Acts 20:21

  11. “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’” Acts 2:34

  12. “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off– for all whom the Lord our God will call.’” Acts 2:38-39

  13. “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12

  14. EXPLORING THE GOOD NEWS Q & A

  15. A prayer to receive Jesus Christ “Lord Jesus, I need you. Thank you for dying on the Cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. Take control of my life, and make me the person you want me to be. Amen.”

  16. EXPLORING… The Evangelical Presbyterian Church Informational video, “A Family of Churches”

  17. The EPC Motto In Essentials, Unity; In Non-Essentials, Liberty; In All Things, Charity

  18. The EPC “Essentials of the Faith” Foundation of the “Essentials” The Authority of Scripture

  19. Essential of the Faith #1 The Holy Trinity

  20. Essential of the Faith #2 The Person and Work of Christ

  21. Essential of the Faith #3 The Work of the Holy Spirit

  22. Essential of the Faith #4 Faith in Christ

  23. Essential of the Faith #5 The Marks of the Church

  24. Essential of the Faith #6 Christ’s Second Coming

  25. Essential of the Faith #7 The Great Commission ESSENTIALS VIDEO…

  26. EXPLORING the E.P.C…Q & A

  27. EXPLORING… Lookout Valley Presbyterian Church A (very!) brief history…

  28. Our Staff at LVPC… Reverend Grady Davidson, Senior Pastor Reverend John Richards, Assistant Pastor Chris Epperson, Director of Music Ministries Emily Hammett, Accompanist Kay Dintsch, Secretary / Bookkeeper Amanda Beecher, Nursery Worker Angie Harwood, Custodian

  29. GRADY DAVIDSON JOHN RICHARDS

  30. CHRIS EPPERSON

  31. EMILY HAMMETT

  32. KAY DINTSCH

  33. AMANDA BEECHER & KIDS IN THE NURSERY

  34. Church Officers SESSION TE Grady Davidson RE Betsy Fryar(Clerk of Session) RE Steve Evans RE Jeanne Crawford RE Susan Fryar RE Bruce Williams DEACONS Keith Thompson (chairman) Keith Lewis Katherine Jonas Diane Hulgan Kathy Richards Rich Beecher

  35. LVPC Mission Statement LVPC is a compassionate, gracious Family of Followers of Jesus Christ, called to know Him and to make him known. We fulfill our calling through Need-oriented Evangelism, Life-related Bible study, Inspiring Worship, Practical Service and Global Missions.

  36. Opportunities for growth, fellowship, and service at LVPC include… Weekly Sunday morning worship Wednesday prayer group (1 pm) Friends Small Groups (Sunday evenings) Totally Tuesday Tutoring Ministry Wednesday Night Bible Study & Prayer Meeting Crawford Class (Adult Discipleship) and WORD Class (Children LIFE Studies for Christian Discipleship (Sunday Mornings) Chancel Choir Keep in touch with “The Welcome Mat” & www.lookoutvalleypc.com Foreign missions partnership & personal involvement AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!

  37. EXPLORING L.V.P.C… Q & A

  38. EXPLORING… Church Membership In the EPC we recognize 3 types of membership in the local church… “CONFIRMED” “BAPTIZED” “AFFILIATE”

  39. CONFIRMED MEMBERS “Those who have been baptized and who have made a public profession of their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and who have been admitted to active membership by the Church Session are entitled to participate in the governing of the Church by voting in meetings of the congregation.” –B.O.G. 6.1A

  40. WHAT ARE THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR CONFIRMED MEMBERSHIP? “Those and who have as Lord and Savior and who have been ADMITTED TO ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP BY THE CHURCH SESSION are entitled to participate in the governing of the Church by voting in meetings of the congregation.” WHO HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED MADE A PUBLIC PROFESSION OF THEIR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

  41. What does the Session look for in prospective members? Three things…. A DESIRE TO WORSHIP WITH OUR CHURCH FAMILY (you intend to be present for worship on the Lord’s Day unless providentially hindered) A DESIRE TO GROW SPIRITUALLY IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY (you intend to become involved in a Sunday School class or small group) A DESIRE TO SERVE CHRIST IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY (you will explore ministry opportunities and become involved in a place of service)

  42. BAPTIZED MEMBERS “All those whose parent(s) are members in good standing in a congregation are to be considered members of the covenant by right of birth and adoption. As such, they are entitled to pastoral oversight, to instruction, to nurture, and to encouragement to embrace Jesus as Lord and Savior. Such persons are entitled to receive the sacrament of Baptism. Upon reception of that sacrament, they shall be enrolled as Baptized Members.” –B.O.G. 6.1B

  43. AFFILIATE MEMBERS “Persons separated geographically from their home church because of educational, military, or other reasons, may ask to be received as affiliate members according to the procedures set forth in Section 9-4. This affiliation shall be good for one year and may be renewed. Such affiliates shall be given the rights and privileges of confirmed members, including the oversight and concern of the Church Session, except they may not vote or hold elected office within the congregation.” --B.O.G. 6.1C

  44. Why is membership Important? A generation ago church membership was very important to most people. Having your name on the rolls as a “member in good standing” was an important aspect of personal identity. However, in our present day the value of church membership has largely been forgotten. Sometimes, I’ll hear the question asked, “Why should I join the church? I’m a Christian. I’m part of the world-wide Body of Believers; so what’s the point of taking formal vows of church membership?” I’m glad you asked such a great question!

  45. THREE REASONS FOR FORMAL MEMBERSHIP… First of all there is the BIBLICAL REASON… Christ is committed to the Church! He loves the Church and gave His life for her. If my Lord is committed to the Church, shouldn’t I be as well? Second of all there is the CULTURAL REASON… Church membership is an antidote to the apathy of our society. In our culture, few people will commit themselves to anything! This attitude has generated a generation of church-hoppers and church-shoppers. Your membership at LVPC swims against the current of “consumer religion.” Third, there’s a PRACTICAL REASON…. Church membership defines who can be counted on. Every team has a roster. Every employer has a payroll. Every army has an enlistment. Membership defines you as a part of the team! Your membership opens up doors for you to discover your own unique and fulfilling ministry in the church, and the church family knows that you can be counted on to fulfill your ministry with pride and excellence.

  46. BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP TRUE BELIEVER 1. Membership identifies you as a _____________________________________. (Ephesians 2:19, Romans 12:5) SPIRITUAL FAMILY 2. Membership provides you with a _________________________________to support and encourage you as you walk with Christ. (Galatians 6:12, Hebrews 10:24-25) 3. Membership gives you the opportunity to discover your ___________________________________and use them in ministry. SPIRITUAL GIFTS SPIRITUAL PROTECTION 4. Membership places you under the ___________________________________of Godly teachers. (Acts 20:28-29) ACCOUNTABILITY 5. Membership gives you the __________________________________that you need to grow.

  47. 1. Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners • in the sight of God and without hope for your salvation • except in His sovereign mercy? What are the EPC vows Of church membership? 2. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of sinners, and do you receive and depend upon Him alone for your salvation as He is offered in the Gospel? 3. Do you now promise and resolve, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ?

  48. 4. Do you promise to serve Christ in His Church by supporting and participating with this congregation in its service of God and its ministry to others to the best of your ability? 5. Do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and to the spiritual oversight of this Church Session, and do you promise to promote the unity, purity and peace of the Church?

  49. EXPLORING MEMBERSHIP… Q & A

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