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Membership and Baptism

In a big city, it can be hard to experience authentic, lasting connections. People come and go all the time; our relationships can feel tenuous. In a big church, it’s easy to feel like a face in a crowd. We might start to wonder if our presence really matters. We are itching to be part of something more, something lasting.

The Bible talks about the church as a family, one that is tied together by our shared faith and mission. Church membership is a mutual commitment to one another and to the good work God is doing in and through a particular body of believers. This commitment is person-to-person, but it also exists between a church organization and its members.

Membership creates a deep, lasting connection that energizes and equips the church to continue its good work in this city. We’d love for you to join us as we continue to put down lasting roots on the Upper East Side.

Membership Process

We are delighted about your interest in becoming a member of Redeemer East Side. This five-step process is designed to help us get to know one another.

Step 1: Attend Welcome to Redeemer East Side

This seminar is designed to provide you with information about Redeemer Presbyterian Church East Side and to enable you to take the first steps toward becoming a member of our church.

In this class we hope to answer common questions about:

what it means to trust and follow Jesus
how to grow as a Christian
how to get the most out of church involvement
what it means to be a member of Redeemer East Side

We pray that “Welcome to Redeemer East Side” will be the first step in a long and fulfilling process of spiritual growth and fruitful service in your involvement at East Side. This core seminar will be offered periodically throughout the year. Register here.

(Note: This seminar replaces the classes “Intro to Spiritual Formation” and “Intro to Redeemer East Side”.)

Step 2: Complete a Membership Application

We’d love to know more about you! This application form will allow you to answer a few questions about your involvement at Redeemer and your faith journey. The membership vows are listed with space to mention any questions or concerns you have. If you have anything specific you’d like to discuss with a Redeemer leader, there’s a spot for you to talk about that, as well. The application is available here.

Step 3: Participate in a Membership Interview

Information is one thing, but getting to know each other is accomplished better in conversation. Meet with an elder and member of our diaconate to talk through your application and what it means to be a member of Redeemer East Side. You’ll have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about our church and to clarify anything that might have been confusing about the application. A member of staff will reach out to schedule your interview when you complete the first two steps.

Step 4: Take your Membership Vows

This moment of public commitment defines the relationship. If the interview process determines that membership is a good fit for you and the church, your name will be presented to the rest of the elders for approval. If approved, you and anyone else going through the process will have the opportunity to publicly take your membership vows. If you haven’t been baptized, you’ll also be baptized at this service. You can read more about baptism and its connection with membership below.

As you learn about Redeemer and we connect with you, feel free to email any questions that might come up to [email protected].

Communicants

Older children who have made a personal commitment to Jesus or are interested in understanding more about the Christian faith and would like to be baptized, please consider the Youth Communicant class. Email [email protected] for more information.

This class is the first step in the communicant process and by no means requires your child to continue on to become a member of the church. The class is meant to simply outline the basic essentials of our faith. We’ve put together a document that outlines the Communicant Process.

Baptism

Membership ties us to one body of believers. But we are also part of a bigger family—the global church and its foundational belief in Jesus as our Savior. Baptism is the rite of initiation into the church of Christ, which consists of all those who possess faith in Christ, along with their children. In the sacrament of baptism, the washing of water, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, signifies our union with Christ and our participation in his covenant of grace. When we are sprinkled with the waters of baptism, we are acknowledging our need for Jesus and stepping into the new life and the new family he has promised us.

Infant

Here at Redeemer East Side, we encourage church members to present their infant children for baptism. If you have questions about our views on infant baptism, we’ve put together a document with details on our position. To register your child for baptism, please email [email protected] and make sure to include your child’s full name and date of birth.

Youth

Adult

If you haven’t been baptized and are going through the membership process, be sure to mention it in your membership interview. That way, you can be baptized on the same Sunday that you take your membership vows.

If you have questions, take a look at our FAQ below. Want to ask your questions to a human being? We’d love to hear from you. Send us an email to [email protected].

FAQ

Who reads my membership application?

The pastoral point person (David Ellis), membership coordinator (YiLeen Ang), as well as the elder and diaconate member that will meet with you for a membership interview.

What if I’ve already been through the membership process at another PCA church?

Though all PCA churches are bound by common beliefs, particularly the Westminster Confession of Faith, our practices of these common beliefs could differ. Therefore, we would like you to get to know our expression of these beliefs guided by Redeemer East Side’s mission, vision, and values and determine together if RES is the church home for you.

What if I’m married? Do my spouse and I interview together? What if my spouse is not Christian?

If you are married we invite you and your spouse to interview together with both a male and female leader in the church. If your spouse does not identify as Christian, this does not preclude you from membership. During your membership interview, we would like to have a conversation to discuss how to best support you, your spouse, and your marriage as you proceed with membership.

Why does the session have to approve me for membership?

The ministry of Redeemer East Side is overseen by elders who have been elected by the members of the church and are collectively called the session. Their oversight role includes the responsibility of shepherding the church’s spiritual life which includes approving and receiving members into the communion of the Church. As shepherds and overseers, they keep watch over the flock on behalf of the great Shepherd and Overseer of the sheep, the Lord Jesus.

What is the difference between being a member and a regular attendee?

While we welcome non-members to participate in the life of our church, to get the most out of church involvement membership is crucial. Certain positions of ministry in the church are limited to members only. Members vote on matters that guide the direction and actions of the church. Since members have given church leaders permission to shepherd them and hold them accountable, the resources of diaconate and pastoral care are more readily and intentionally available to members than to non-members.

What are the membership vows?

Do you acknowledge yourself to be a sinner in the sight of God, justly deserving his displeasure and without hope except through his sovereign mercy?
Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon him alone for salvation as he is offered in the gospel?
Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes a follower of Christ?
Do you promise to support the church in its worship and work to the best of your ability?
Do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of the church and promise to study its purity and peace?

Do I have to be a member to be in a community group?

No, you do not have to be a church member to participate in community groups, classes, or other church offerings but it is strongly encouraged.

Why do I need to become a member when I get baptized?

Baptism is a sign and seal of the covenant of grace made by God through Jesus and extended to us, and it signifies that we are a part of Christ’s body, the universal church. One way to think of baptism is that it’s the final step in a church membership process and a manifestation of living out God’s covenant promises with mutually-affirming members in a local expression of God’s family.