Paths

to Membership
Becoming a Member of Epiphany Church
Which Path is Right for You?
At Epiphany Church it is our joy and call to welcome a variety of persons into the Body of Christ, and to equip and support them for meaningful discipleship. Because we all "come from different places" in our life experiences, Epiphany Church seeks to offer a variety of paths towards rewarding participation in the life of Christ. Our first counsel to those we are privileged to meet and serve is to "take your time for the right journey." Your faith life with others is important, but it cannot be rushed or forced. Take a look at the following, and see which path is right for you.
1. "I'm already an active member of a Lutheran congregation, have moved into the area, visited several congregations, and decided that Epiphany Church is the best congregation for my continued participation in the Body of Christ." If this statement is the best description of your situation, then we encourage the following:
a. A personal meeting with a pastor either in your home, at the church, or in some other location (restaurant for lunch, etc.)
b. Participation in the next "New Member Orientation" session(s).
c. Requesting a letter of membership transfer from your former congregation.
d. Commitment to participate in one or more of our upcoming ministry events within the next 2 months.
2. "I've been active in a congregation of another Christian denomination, but have discerned a need to find a new congregational home. I've visited several congregations, and have decided that Epiphany Church is the best congregation for my continued participation in the Body of Christ." If this statement is the best description of your situation, then we encourage the following:
a. A personal meeting with a pastor either in your home, at the church, or in some other location (restaurant for lunch, etc.)
b. Participation in the next What Lutherans Believe class.
c. Participation in the next "New Member Orientation" session(s).
d. Requesting a letter of membership transfer from your former congregation.
e. Commitment to participate in one or more of our upcoming ministry events within the next 2 months.
3. "I was once a member of a Lutheran congregation, but have not been involved with congregational life for some time. I believe it's time for me to "reconnect," and to share the life and mission of a congregation. I believe Epiphany Church might be the right congregation for our renewed participation in the Body of Christ." If this statement is the best description of your situation, then we encourage the following:
a. A personal meeting with a pastor either in your home, at the church, or in some other location (restaurant for lunch, etc.)
b. Participation in the next What Lutherans Believe class.
c. Participation in the next "New Member Orientation" session(s).
d. Participation in one of our adult Bible studies or small group studies.
e. Commitment to participate in one or more of our upcoming ministry events within the next 2 months
4. "I was once a member of a Lutheran congregation, but have not been involved with congregational life for some time. I now have a child and believe it's important for our child to be baptized. I also believe it's time for me to "reconnect," and to share the life and mission of a congregation. I believe Epiphany Church might be the right congregation for my child's baptism and for my family's renewed participation in the Body of Christ." If this statement is the best description of your situation, then we encourage the following:
a. A personal meeting with a pastor either in your home, at the church, or in some other location (restaurant for lunch, etc.)
b. Finding and joining the right congregation before beginning to plan a baptism.
c. Considering participation in the next What Lutherans Believe class.
d. Participation in the next "New Member Orientation" session(s).
e. Commitment to participate in one or more of our upcoming ministry events within the next 2 months.
f. Beginning our Preparing for a Baptism ministry 2 months after joining the congregation.
5. "I would go to church a few times in the past, but was never really a part of a Christian congregation or active in a church. Even though I was baptized, a lot about 'church' is still very new to me. But I feel it's now important to build my faith relationship with God and others. I would like a place to learn more about faith in Christ and to explore becoming a part of a Christian community, and I think Epiphany Church might be that place." If this statement is the best description of your situation, then we encourage the following:
a. A personal meeting with a pastor either in your home, at the church, or in some other location (restaurant for lunch, etc.)
b. Participation in the next What Lutherans Believe class.
c. Participation in one of our adult Bible studies or small group studies.
d. Commitment to participate in one or more of our upcoming ministry events within the next 2 months.
e. Participation in the next "New Member Orientation" session(s).
f. Consideration of adult confirmation.
6. "I would go to church a few times in the past, but was never really a part of a Christian congregation or active in a church. I was baptized, however, and now have a child whom I would like to be baptized. I also feel it's now important to build our family's faith relationship with God and others. I would like a place to learn more about faith in Christ, to seek our child's baptism, and to become part of a Christian community myself. I think Epiphany Church might be that place." If this statement is the best description of your situation, then we encourage the following:
a. A personal meeting with a pastor either in your home, at the church, or in some other location (restaurant for lunch, etc.)
b. Finding and joining the right congregation before beginning to plan a baptism.
c. Participation in the next What Lutherans Believe class.
d. Participation in the next "New Member Orientation" session(s).
e. Commitment to participate in one or more of our upcoming ministry events within the next 2 months.
f. Consideration of adult confirmation.
g. Beginning our Preparing for a Baptism ministry 2 months after joining the congregation.
7. "I'm just plain new to 'church.' I've never been a part of a congregation or a church, and have never been baptized. But I feel a need at this time in life to learn more about faith in God, to explore becoming a part of a Christian community, and perhaps to seek baptism. I think Epiphany Church might be the right congregation to help me with this." If this statement is the best description of your situation, then we encourage the following:
a. A personal meeting with a pastor either in your home, at the church, or in some other location (restaurant for lunch, etc.)
b. Participation in the next What Lutherans Believe class.
c. Participation in one of our adult Bible studies or small group studies.
d. Commitment to participate in one or more of our upcoming ministry events within the next 2 months.
e. Developing with the pastor(s) an adequate preparation for Adult Baptism. f. Your Baptism into Christ and welcome into the congregation.
8. "I've been going through a time of some personal change. I've recently experienced the death of a loved one (or the loss of my marriage, or a major change in my employment, or a serious health issue, or a move far from my previous home.) I feel it's now important to build my faith relationship with God and others. I would like a place to learn more about faith in Christ and to explore becoming a part of a Christian community, and I think Epiphany Church might be that place." If this statement is the best description of your situation, then we encourage the following:
a. A personal meeting with a pastor either in your home, at the church, or in some other location (restaurant for lunch, etc.)
b. Discussion with a pastor to discern what kind of church experience or ministry would be most helpful for you right now.
c. Considering the care and resource of one of Epiphany's Stephen Ministers.
d. Taking time to find some healing with us before making a final decision on membership.
e. Participation in the next What Lutherans Believe class or "New Member Orientation" session(s).