How to Join

We invite you to take a class. Instruction in Christian doctrine is available for all. Classes start every fall and spring or other times by appointment. Taking a “Confirmation” class does not obligate you to join our church, but is an excellent way to explore or review the confession of our church. Inquire with a Pastor or usher before or after the service or call our office for more information.

Already a member of a LCMS congregation? If you have moved to our area or have another reason to transfer to our congregation, please contact one of our Pastors.

Types of Membership:


Baptized
Baptized memberhip in this congregation is held by all those who are baptized in the Name of the Triune God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with water and place themselves under First Lutheran’s pastoral care and support the congregation with their regular presence in worship.

Communicant
Communicant membership in this congregation may be held only by those who:

  1. are baptized in the name of the Triune God;
  2. have been instructed and confirmed in the Lutheran Church and thus have declared their acceptance of the confessions of this congregation as contained in Article II of our consitution;
  3. have been accepted into communicant membership in accordance with the bylaws of this congregation and shall remain faithful to the responsibilities of membership as contained in these bylaws;
  4. together with the congregation partake of the Lord’s Supper with due frequency, if they be able to examine themselves;
  5. permit themselves to be fraternally admonished and corrected when they have erred;
  6. do not live in manifest works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21), but lead a Christian life;
  7. are not members of a secret society or any other organization conflicting with the Word of God and the conduct of a Christian (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

Privileges and Duties of Communicant Members
It shall be the privilege and duty of communicant members of this congregation to:

  1. grow in the Christian Faith and life through faithful use of the means of grace, searching Scriptures at home and in fellowship with other members of the congregation and its auxiliary organizations, and partaking of the Lord’s Supper frequently;
  2. live a morally decent life before God and man, abstaining from open works of the flesh (Galatians 5:18-21) and so conducting themselves at all times as to bring credit rather than blame upon the Church of Jesus Christ;
  3. have the parental care of unconfirmed children incumbent upon them to commit such children to the parochial school of the congregation, or otherwise to provide for their proper training in pure Christian doctrine;
  4. contribute according to his or her ability toward the maintenance of church and school and in general to assist in bearing the burden of the congregation;
  5. place their God-given talents and abilities at the disposal of the Pastor, the officers, and other auxiliary organizations of the congregation as set forth in its constitution and bylaws, so that the purposes and functions of the congregation may be effectively implemented.

A member who voluntarily severs his or her connection with this congregation or who has been released or transferred, or who has been excommunicated or excludes him- or herself according to the provisions of the bylaws, shall be deemed to have terminated his or her membership in this congregation along with all rights and privileges of such membership.

Voting Membership
This congregation shall be represented by, and administer all its affairs through its voting memberhsip. The voting membership of this congregation as a body shall have the supreme power in the external and internal administration and management of its own ecclesiastical affairs. All decisions, enactments or performances in behalf of this congregation shall always be subject to revision and final decision by the voting membership. Only communicant members who have qualified according to the membership provisions of the bylaws shall be received as voting members of this congregation.

Eligibility
Any communicant member of this congregation who is eighteen (18) years of age or over, both male and female, and is present at a voter’s meeting shall be regarded as a voting member.

Privileges and Duties of Voting Members
It shall be the privilege and duty of voting members of this congregation to:

  1. conscientiously and prayerfully execute his or her right of suffrage in all measures that will advance the work of Christ’s kingdom both locally and in the church at large;
  2. willingly serve in any office or capacity for which his talents and abilities equip him or her;
  3. faithfully attend all meetings of the voting membership;
  4. assist with wholehearted diligence in administering the temporal and spiritual affairs of the congregation;
  5. encourage all members to attend the voters’ meetings.