How People become members of Bethlehem

How People Become Members of Bethlehem

Adults who have never been baptized - An increasing number of people are exploring Christian faith for the first time as adults. We welcome such seekers at Bethlehem. In response to their growing numbers we have been reintroducing an ancient pattern of welcome into the church's life and faith.

There is an initial period of inquiry which may include conversation with a Christian friend, attendance as a guest at our services of worship, participation in our discipleship classes which we offer twice a year, or our Bible study classes, and exploration of the basics of Christian faith with the pastor or lay teachers. Inquirers are invited to participate in the fellowship of the congregation and to begin getting to know what life is like in a Christian congregation. There is no set period of time for this period of inquiry. For those who have some knowledge of Christian faith this period may be brief. For others this period of exploration and "testing the waters" may be quite a bit longer. We invite people to take whatever time they need.

When a person feels the time is right, he or she can be received as a hearer, or in the language of the ancient church, a catechumen. Now the emphasis shifts from "inquiry" to "formation" as a more intentional process begins of growing into the church's love for Christ and the grace he brings us. A beautiful rite of welcome signals the beginning of this stage. The congregation gives each "hearer" a Bible which is God's Word for us. During this time, especially focused on hearing and becoming familiar with God's Word, the "hearer" is encourage to participate in the Sunday morning worship service and adult Bible Study Class, or the Wednesday morning Bible study, or if he or she has not already done so, discussions with the Pastor. This is again a flexible period of time, and persons are invited to take whatever amount of time seems right to them until they and the church feel God is leading them to take the next step.

The newly baptized were sometimes called "neophytes" or "infants" in the faith, and the Easter season became a special time for continued growth. During the Easter season we offer classes which focus on the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion and which invite the newly baptized to a deeper understanding of the gifts God gives in these means of grace.

On the Sunday of Pentecost, the newly baptized person is invited to enjoy the prayers of the church in a rite called the "Affirmation of Vocation in the World" which affirms the Christian's work and presence in the world as a vocation or 'calling' of God in which God's love for the world may be expressed.

Children who have never been baptized - We baptize the infants and young children of parents who are active members of our congregation. In preparation for a child's baptism, the pastor meets with the parents and reflects on the meaning of the baptism liturgy, and the promises parents and sponsors will make to teach the faith to their child and to bring the child up in the life of the church. Children are ordinarily baptized during the Sunday morning liturgy. Our Sunday School program is provided to support parents in their responsibility for Christian nurture. When baptized children reach the fifth grade we offer a class during Lent which prepares them to receive their first communion during the Paschal vigil on the eve of Easter. When baptized children reach the eighth grade, they being a special two year period of preparation for Confirmation. Confirmation usually takes place on All Saints Sunday.

Baptized adults who come from non-Lutheran backgrounds - We do not baptize again persons who have already been baptized with water in the Triune Name of God, but acknowledge that God has already made these persons a part of the Christian Church. Persons coming from other churches participate in a six week course which describes the central teachings of the Lutheran Church. This class is ordinarily offered twice a year, and class participants who wish to be received into membership in the church are received into membership during a Sunday Service with a rite called the "Affirmation of Baptism." With this rite we celebrate the fact that the person being received is already a part of Christ's Church through baptism, but will now give expression to that membership in belonging to our congregation.

Persons who are members of other Lutheran Churches - Persons who hold already hold membership in another Lutheran congregation are ordinarily received by a Letter of Transfer. Pastor may request a letter of transfer, or people can do so themselves.

For more information please e-mail Pastor Bill