| The
Union Church of Stow |
| "I
originally joined the Union Church for my kids; I had no idea how much God would begin to work in my own life."
|
| Union
Church of Stow 317 Great Road Stow, MA 01775 978-897-2328 |
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Membership Church membership is a confusing topic. It is confusing because it means different things in different denominations and it is confusing because church membership is so unlike some other types of memberships. If you want to use the equipment at the local gym, you have to become a member first. That's not true for the church. You can attend any of our services, classes, small groups, outings, socials, or service projects without becoming a member. So what is church membership? At its heart, church membership is a declaration of belonging. A declaration that you belong to Christ and a declaration that you intend to continue growing in faith and serving Christ with this company of people. And these people, the members, declare their support and help and companionship to you in this. Here's some FAQ's regarding membership at the Union Church of Stow: I still have questions about faith. Is it okay to go ahead and become a member? We all have questions about faith; as our faith grows, our questions change. You decide when you are ready to become a member; no one else makes that decision for you. If you are sincere in your commitment to follow Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, it is appropriate for you to become a member. I guess I'm a Christian, but I'm not really sure what that means. What do you suggest? You should take our Alpha course. We offer this twice a year, free of charge, and it cover foundational questions including, Who is Jesus? Why and how do I pray? and Who is the Holy Spirit? Are there membership dues? No, there are no membership dues but one responsibility of membership is regular financial support of the church. You determine the amount you want to give. How much you give is known only by the church collector who makes the deposits and provides charitable donation receipts for tax purposes. The church budget is supported by the congregation, not by the denomination. Are couples expected to join together? The church does not require husbands and wives to join together, although many couples do so. This is a decision for you to make as a couple. Must I be baptized in order to join the church? Yes, at some point in time. If you've never been baptized then you would be baptized as part of the process of joining the church. But if you've already been baptized elsewhere, you don't get baptized again. We recognize as valid any Christian baptism as in baptism in "the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit", whether done by pouring, sprinkling, or immersion, whether done in a Protestant, Catholic or Orthodox church. What are the responsibilities of membership? In addition to living like a faithful Christian, members are expected to contribute financially to the church, attend worship regularly, and participate in the life of the church in accordance with their abilities and time. Is there anything I can do as a member that I can't do as a non-member? There are a few important things. This is a congregationally governed church which means that the congregation is the final human decision making body in the church. Only church members can vote on congregational business and only church members can serve as officers of the church and sit on key church committees. No one is required to serve on a committee, but only members are eligible to do so. If you have additional questions or need more information, please email us or drop in for worship next Sunday. |