When considering what it means to be a member, we turn first to the questions asked of those joining a Presbyterian Church (USA).

• Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Lord and Savior, trusting in his grace and love?

• Will you be a faithful member of this congregation, share in its worship and ministry through your prayers and gifts, your study and service, and so fulfill your calling to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?

To be a member one must confess the Christian faith, trust in Christ as our savior, and promise to follow Christ and Christ’s example for living. In other words, be a committed disciple. The question is how does one’s confession, trust and promise get expressed as a member of a congregation. The Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (USA) succinctly sets out what it means to be a member of any congregation. Here is what it says:

From the 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
a. proclaiming the good news,
b. taking part in the common life and worship of a particular church,
c. praying and studying Scripture and the faith of the Christian Church,
d. supporting the work of the church through the giving of money, time and talents,
e. participating in the governing responsibilities of the church,
f. demonstrating a new quality of life within and through the church,
g. responding to God’s activity in the world through service to others,
h. living responsibly in the personal, family, vocational,
political, cultural, and social relationships of life

In its consideration of the meaning of membership, it became clear to the Session that taking an active part in a community of faith – the congregation – is an essential element of any definition of membership. At every new member workshop, Rev. Garner characterizes the responsibility of membership in the context of stewardship – that of time, talent and money, thus reaffirming the simple axiom that membership means being active in the congregation.

The Session believes that regular attendance at worship services is a critical part of being a member and that participation as evidenced by giving of time, talent and money are an expression of the acceptance of “Christ’s call to be involved responsibly in the ministry of his Church.”

Active participation in the life of The First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia or any church is often characterized as “commitment.” Being an active participant in the life of the congregation, giving of time, talent and money on an ongoing basis, is an expression of that commitment.

The Session believes there can be no “hard and fast rule” for membership. There are situations where members can not be as active as they would like to be (older members who find it impossible to attend worship; students away at school; members of the church serving in the Armed Forces are examples of this). Nonetheless, many of these members express their commitment to the church by staying in contact, remaining interested in the programs of the church, and continuing to pledge each year.

As compared to some other congregations, The First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia does not ask members to sign a commitment form for membership. The Session does not believe that we should begin such a practice. Rather, the Session believes that the acceptance of Jesus Christ as one’s Lord and Savior, and sharing in worship and ministry through one’s prayers and gifts, as well as one’s study and service, fulfill a member’s calling to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.