This month, we are offering Foundations Class, a six-week introduction to life in our church. We will review the basic themes of the Christian faith: the Bible, God and Jesus Christ, the Gospel, and growing in the Christian life. Everyone is welcome, but the class is especially offered to those who are new to our church, and thinking about whether to make this their church home.

The Details

The class starts April 12 and runs for six weeks through May 17. The class will introduce you to membership in our church by covering some of the basics of the Christian faith. Pastor Calvin will be leading the class. We will meet during the Sunday School hour, which starts all together in the fellowship hall at 9:45 am, and then our class will move up to the pastor's office at 10:00 am. Participants will receive a short book in advance.

(If that's enough information for you, you can go ahead and RSVP here.)

Why Membership?

Perhaps you have never heard of church membership before, and it sounds strange or unpleasant. You may be wondering, "Where does the Bible mention church membership?"

To answer that question, let me share an excerpt from the book that we will use in the class. Hopefully it whets your appetite for more discussion.

Added to the Number

Before his death and resurrection, Jesus told his disciples that he would soon leave them. He promised that even after he was gone, he would continue helping them (John 14:26). Ten days after he ascended into heaven, at the feast of Pentecost, Jesus kept his promise by sending the Holy Spirit to fill his disciples with amazing power to preach the Gospel.

Three thousand people became Christians that day, in response to Peter's sermon (Acts 2:41). The very first thing we learn about these new believers is that they became part of the Church. They "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching," they shared meals and prayed together, and they cared for each other practically and financially (Acts 2:42-47).

This shows us that there is a close connection between becoming a Christian and joining the Church. God does not bring people to faith in Christ and then leave them to live on their own. He adds to the number of the Church those who are being saved (Acts 2:47). Living for the Lord Jesus means sharing life with other Christians, worshipping and serving together, helping each other in our Christian life, supporting the Church's ministry financially, and submitting to the Church's leaders.

Notice one more thing from this text. Right from the beginning, the Church had a "number" to which new believers were "added" (Acts 2:41, 47). This suggests that there was some record of who was part of the Church. Such a record would have been very valuable to the Church's leaders, who would have need to know who was under their care.

Hopefully you will join us! Remember to RSVP here.