First Presbyterian Church , Saginaw, Michigan
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First Presbyterian Church , Saginaw, Michigan
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An Introduction to Church MembershipThe First Presbyterian Church of Saginaw, Michigan is open to all persons to attend its worship, and to participate in its programs. Not all who attend worship and participate in its ministries are official members. One’s being married in the church, or baptized as a child by a pastor of the church does not make one an official member of the congregation. Experience has taught us that there are persons who are not clear as to what constitutes an official “member” of the church. The Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (USA) outlines certain behaviors, actions, and privileges of church membership. As a congregation we are required to uphold the standards for membership as outlined in the church Constitution. In addition, the Session of First Presbyterian Church has set some minimum standards for Active members. While these requirements allow for some flexibility, ultimately it is up to each individual to determine how he/she wants to be involved and thus what level of membership is applicable. This site is designed to explain the various kinds of church membership in order to clear up any confusion one might have about the subject. Scroll for more information about:
Active Members An Active Member is one who has made a public
profession or reaffirmed his/her faith in Jesus Christ either before this
congregation or at some other time before another congregation and then
transferred his or her membership to our church. Such persons are received as
active members and thus assume responsibility for contributing regularly to the
life of the congregation. Such contributions are participation in public worship
and church activities, and making financial donations to support the
congregation and its ministries. Active Members have the rights and privileges
in the Presbyterian Church of voting (electing elders and deacons, selecting a
pastor, approving the pastor’s salary, etc) and of being elected to serve an
elder or deacon. Active Members
also can have children baptized, have a wedding service in the church at member
rates, have a funeral service at First Presbyterian Church, and receive many
other pastoral services. The church is responsible for paying a per capita apportionment payment of nearly $20.00 for every active member on the church roll. This expense is part of the cost of each individual being a member of a Presbyterian Congregation. The Per Capita apportionment help the larger Presbyterian Church – Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly – maintain administration of local, regional, and national offices and ministries of the PC(USA). Each year First Presbyterian Church asks its Active Members to pay their Per Capita apportionment, so that this cost does not have to be paid from the congregation’s general budget. When a member does not pay their individual per capita apportionment, the church is still responsible for paying for it. The more Per Capita paid from the receipts to the general fund, means the fewer ministries and mission First Presbyterian Church can provide. Resident Inactive and Non-Resident Inactive Members At First Presbyterian Church, Active Members are
moved to the Inactive Roll when they have not participated in the life of the
congregation (church school, worship more than twice a year, involvement in
programs, groups, or events) for at least three years AND have not supported the
church financially for at least three years. There are exceptions made to this
for elderly and shut in members of the church who are unable to actively
participate in the life of the church. In most cases these persons receive
visits from the church and they continue to financially support the church and
pay their per capita assessment even though they find it difficult to attend. There is much confusion about what it means to be moved to the Inactive roll of the church, but being moved to the Inactive Roll is not a comment upon the faith or belief of an individual but rather a change in their status as members. Inactive members can still receive pastoral services and inactive members have all the rights and privileges of Active Members EXCEPT the right to vote and to hold office (as elder or deacon). The one major result of being placed on Inactive status is that there is a limit of time one may remain on that inactive roll of the church. Persons are placed on the inactive roll in the hope that they will choose to become active again. If there is no resumption in participation, either by action or contribution, a Resident Inactive will be removed from church membership after a minimum of two years. A Non-Resident Inactive (those living outside the Saginaw/Tri-Cities area) will be removed after a minimum of one year on the non-resident inactive roll. At any time, a Resident or Non-Resident Inactive Member can return to Active Member status by becoming involved in the life and ministry of First Presbyterian Church again. Moving an Active Member to Inactive Member status is not an action taken lightly. No change in status is recommended without documentation or is completed without approval of the Session. Persons being moved from active to inactive status are notified of this action. Moving a member from Active to Inactive status saves the congregation the expense of paying for per capita apportionment, as there is no per capita assessment on Inactive members. Affiliate
Members
An Affiliate Member is a person who lives away and while maintaining primary membership in another PC(USA) congregation wishes to stay connected with First Presbyterian Church. Affiliate Members must maintain their Active Member status with their home congregation and their Affiliate status with First Presbyterian Church of Saginaw is reviewed every two years. If not renewed, the person’s status returns to Non-Member. No Per Capita assessment is made on Affiliate Members. All Members (Active, Inactive, or Affiliate) may at
any time change their status by personal choice, action, and request.
If you believe a different membership status is a better fit for you,
please let us know. Friends and NonmembersTwo other categories exist in the church’s database, which have not yet been mentioned: Friend and Non-Member. Friends of First Presbyterian Church are persons who are involved in the life of the congregation but do not wish to be Members of First Presbyterian Church. In many cases these persons are regular in attendance and in their financial support of the congregation. Nonmembers are those who do not fall into any of the other aforementioned categories. Non-Members may be those who are related to Members but are not Members themselves, those who visit occasionally, or those who were previously Members. Former members could have become Non-Members by request, by Transfer to another congregation, or by removal after being Inactive. We hope this explanation has helped to clear up any confusion about the First Presbyterian Church’s categories for church Membership. If you would like more details about these categories or your own status, you may call the church at (989) 793-9890. Information about the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s governance (including church membership) can be found in the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Responsibilities
of Membership as per Book Of Order G-5.0102 A faithful member accepts Christ’s call to be involved responsibly in the ministry of his church. Such involvement includes:
How to Join First Presbyterian Church If you would like to join First Presbyterian Church, contact the church office at 989-793-9890 for more information. There are a series of four informational meetings in October and another series in the Spring. These sessions are designed to answer questions and assist those considering joining the First Presbyterian Church family. The group meets from 9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m. Sunday mornings in the Bradford Parlor and continue each Sunday. New Member Sunday will take place following the classes and those who decide to become new members will be presented to the congregation.
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Send mail to
mail@firstchurchsaginaw.org with
questions or comments about this web site.
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