Becoming a Member
Welcome to Neelsville Presbyterian Church, where you will find a Christ-centered worship experience and a friendly, helpful congregation. Neelsville Presbyterian Church has enjoyed a fruitful ministry in the Germantown area since 1845. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) denomination has a rich heritage of Christian education, spiritual growth and service to God and communities.
An Inquirers' Class is offered several times a year for anyone interested in joining the church or learning more about the Neelsville church family. The class meets once a week for five weeks. The start date for the next class will be Sunday, May 25, 2010.
Location and Times: The class will meet in the Harold Hargett parlor on Sunday evenings at 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm for 4 Sundays: May 25, April 2, 9, and 16; and will meet at 5:30 pm on Saturday May 22 for a pot-luck dinner with elders and deacons. On Sunday May 23 at 10:30 am there will be an informal reception in the Fellowship Hall, and at the 11:00 am service the new members will affirm their beliefs and be introduced to the congregation.
The classes provide discussions of Christians’ relationship with God, essential beliefs, Presbyterianism, and membership opportunities for growth as a Christian. The classes also help new members get to know each other, establish connections within the church, and to prepare for an active involvement in carrying out God's purposes for His Church.
Those desiring to join this class should give their name, address, phone number and email address to Jack Miller. Phone 301-330-5838 or email to jbmiller54@verizon.net. Also let Jack know if you have any special needs such as a baby sitter giving the number and ages of the children or transportation. If you must be absent for one or more of the classes, let Jack know so that make-up classes can be scheduled.
Inquirers' Class Topics:
- Purpose and meaning of membership
- History and Theology of Christianity and the Presbyterian Church.
- Government (Polity) of the Presbyterian Church.
- Presentations from Adult Ministry, Missions, and Stewardship.
Joining the Church
Upon completion of the four Inquirers' classes, anyone who wishes to become a member of Neelsville Presbyterian Church will meet with Session members. Members are received into the church by:
- Profession of Faith (for those coming to faith or have never joined a church).
- Reaffirmation of Faith (for those who have been members of another church, but are now inactive).
- Letter of Transfer (members wishing to transfer an active membership from another congregation).
Membership as Ministry
Here at Neelsville, we hold the Bible as the Living Word of God and as primary and central in our life and witness. As a congregation, we are committed to praying for one another, sharing the joy of God's gifts and serving one another in faith and love. A church is more than a building, more than a pastor, and more than its individual members. A church is a community of faith that grows together and is capable of great good through the help of the Holy Spirit.
A faithful member accepts Christ's call to be involved responsibly in the ministry of His Church. Such involvement includes:
- Proclaiming the Good news.
- Taking part in the common life and worship of a particular church.
- Praying and studying Scripture and the faith of the Christian Church.
- Supporting the work of the church through the giving of money, time, and talents.
- Participating in the governing responsibilities of the church.
- Demonstrating a new quality of life within and through the church.
- Responding to God's activity in the world through service to others.
- Living responsibly in the personal, family, vocational, political, cultural, and social relationships of life.
- Working in the world for peace, justice, freedom, and human fulfillment.