WHAT WE ENCOURAGE IN OUR MEMBERSHIP

 

Every Member Should Worship Regularly  

First, each member is encouraged to worship regularly.  In worship, we respond to God’s claim on us and to God’s redemptive action for us in Jesus Christ.  In worship, we faithfully offer ourselves to God.  When we give ourselves to God in worship, we are really only returning to God what properly belongs to God.  The apostle Paul writes “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1).  So, by worshiping regularly, each member of First Presbyterian Church is participating in the first part of the church’s mission.  Worshiping regularly means that we exist not for ourselves.

 

 
Every Member Should Breathe In God’s Grace     
 
Second, each member is encouraged to participate in a ministry of First Presbyterian Church which nourishes him or her spiritually.  Each member is to breathe in God’s grace—each member is to grow spiritually on the love of Christ.  When we study God’s Word in Church School or in a Church Study Group, when we become a part of the communion of saints in one of the church’s fellowship programs, we are growing spiritually.  Indeed, Scripture charges us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).  So, by participating in the fellowship and educational ministries of the church, each member of First Presbyterian Church is participating in the second part of the church’s mission.  Breathing in God’s grace means we exist to love Jesus Christ.
 
 
 
Every Member Should Breathe Out God’s Grace     
 
Third, each member is encouraged to participate in a ministry of First Presbyterian Church which nourishes others spiritually.  Each member is to breathe out God’s grace—each member is to help others know the love of Christ.  When we visit the sick, when we befriend the friendless, when we help those in need, when we work for social righteousness, when we show the love and justice of Jesus Christ; we are feeding others spiritually.  Indeed, Scripture reminds us that when we do these things “to one of the least of these who are members of my family,” we do them unto Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:40).  So, by participating in the mission and service ministries of the church, each member of First Presbyterian Church is participating in the third part of the church’s mission.  Breathing out God’s grace means we exist to make Christ’s love known.

 

 
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