For more information, or to register, please contact Becky Wells at extension 115 at the church office - (616) 456-1456.
NEW MEMBER CLASSES
Your are invited to learn more about Westminster Presbyterian Church and its programs through a series of orientation classes.
At Westminster we take membership very seriously. All prospective members are asked to take part in a series of orientation classes designed to acquaint you with Westminster and its programs. The following questions and answers will provide you with additional information on our program. We encourage you to attend our classes and we invite you to join our church community.
Q. Who attends?
A. All people who have an interest in joining WPC, or just wants to learn more about us, are invited to come.Q. Who conducts the classes?
A. Our Pastoral staff, in conjunction with our Minster for Membership Development, and members of our Evangelism Committee.Q. What is discussed?
A. Our orientation sessions give an overview of Presbyterian theology and polity. We will also introduce you to our staff and their areas of ministry. You will hear about WPC's programs and its involvement in local and world missions. We provide an opportunity for you to hear from several WPC members who will share their faith journey experience.Q. May I attend the classes without an obligation to join?
A. Yes. The classes provide an opportunity for you to learn more about us. If you decide not to join or to wait until a later date, your decision will be respected.Q. Must I attend all the classes?
A. We at WPC place a high priority on our membership classes. We feel our orientation classes should be given the same priority by you. If you do have a conflict with a class we can arrange a make-up session or provide you with an audio-tape.Q. What if I have not been baptized?
A. WPC recognizes all forms of baptism; infant, adult, sprinkling, or immersion. We believe in one baptism and do not require re-baptism. If you are not baptized we can arrange for this to take place during the worship service the morning you join.Q. How do I join?
A. There are three ways in which a person is received into membership at Westminster Presbyterian Church. A letter of transfer may be obtained from any church of which you currently are a member in good standing. We will send for this. A reaffirmation of faith may be made by those who were members of a church previously but have not been active members for some time. A profession of faith may be made by those who have never been a member of a church family.Q. What if I have been an active member of a Presbyterian Church? May I transfer without attending the classes?
A. Our orientation sessions are required for membership at WPC. We feel that classes not only give you specific information about WPC but also provide you with an opportunity to share in fellowship with our staff and your classmates. Friendships experienced in these classes are invaluable.Q. What must I believe to be a member?
A. Through the membership of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) spans a wide diversity of Christian beliefs, we unite under the common confession that "Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior". As Presbyterians, we believe God to be in Three-In-One, absolutely sovereign in every sphere of life, insistent upon justice or all the earth's children, and known most clearly through Jesus of Nazareth, the Word of God Incarnate, to whom the Bible is the unique and authoritative written witness. Presbyterians are characterized by an emphasis on the life of the mind, and by worship centered around the preaching of the word and the sacraments of baptism and communion.Q. When do the classes meet?
A. The orientation classes are offered three times a year, fall, winter, and spring. The classes consist of one day of orientation followed by a one-time service/mission project the class chooses to do together. WPC is involved with many local service agencies, including our own food pantry, which the class can choose from. You are received into membership the Sunday after the class meets.