– Getting Involved –
– Getting Involved –
Becoming a Member
“We are so appreciative of the warm welcome we’ve received, and we can’t wait to get to know more members of the church family.”
~ Abby Ripoli and Nick Hodgdon, New members – June, 2018
All worship services, programs and ministries of the church are open to everyone who wishes to participate, regardless of membership status. As people get more deeply engaged in the life of the church, however, they often decide to take the formal step of becoming a member of the church. Our congregation is always overjoyed to welcome new members into our church family!
What does it mean to be a member of North Shore Congregational Church?
The foundation of membership in our church is our covenant. When individuals join the church, they ‘own’ the covenant and enter into a mutual commitment, with all members of the church, to live in faith, engage in the journey of growing towards God, and support the ministries and members of NSCC. This covenantal commitment is the essence of what it means to be a member of the church.
Becoming a member of our church does not require an assent to a particular doctrine or creed, a commitment of a specific monetary contribution to our ministries, or a particular level of service to church programs, ministries or leadership. Membership in our church, at its heart, is relationship – a relationship with God that is explored and fulfilled in a covenant relationship we share with one another. While some are able to share substantial financial gifts with the church, and others are able to give extensively of their time and talents, each member has his or her own understanding of what it means to live out the covenant we make with one another – which is the sole ‘requirement’ of what it means to be a member of our church.
While many choose to take this formal step of membership, membership is not required for participation in worship, Sunday school, Bible studies, or any other programs or ministries of our church. Serving as an elected leader or officer of the church, leading programs with children and youth, and voting on matters brought before the congregation are the only elements of church life that mandate formal membership.
What is the Membership Process?
Becoming a member of North Shore Congregational Church is done, generally, by means of our Membership Inquiry Sessions. Specifically designed to help people understand the theory, theology and structure that underscores our ministries, these inquiry sessions are not ‘training sessions’ for new members but, instead, are gathered with the specific intent of inviting seeking participants to learn more about who we are at NSCC before making a decision on membership. We firmly believe that making the commitment to own the covenant of our church should be a decision that is thoughtful and considered, and these sessions are carried out in order to give participants a chance to learn more about the church before making the choice to enter into covenant with the church.
Generally, Membership Inquiry Session take place over three meetings…
- Session 1: Introductions, Congregational History, Congregational Polity (church structure), and Associations and Fellowships
- Session 2: Covenantal Theology and an introduction to the structure and ministries of NSCC
- Session 3: Meeting the church staff and leadership and exploring what it means to be a member of the church.
Throughout the sessions, and through the early years of membership, new members are paired with ‘shepherds’ who regularly check-in to follow up on questions, aid in further integration, and help our new members become more fully engaged in the life and ministries of the church.
If you are interested in learning more about membership in our church, contact Rev. Marty at martinhall@NSCChurchWI.org.
