Step 1: Visitor

Meet our church family and see what we’re all about.

• Come and see what God is doing in our church! You are welcome!
• If you come forward for the Lord’s Supper or profess to be a Christian, we will ask to meet with you within a few weeks to get to know you better.
• If you are not baptized but profess to be a Christian, were baptized in the past but haven’t been keeping your baptism vows, or are considering a transfer of membership from another church, we may ask you to become a catechumen.

Step 2: Catechumen

Make sure that you understand the basics of the Christian faith, have repented of your sins, and have counted the cost of discipleship.

• Sign up for and attend six catechism classes on the fundamentals of the Christian faith (all catechumens receive a free copy of the catechism book). The class covers topics such as: Scripture and the Creeds; God and the Trinity; creation and humanity; the fall and human depravity; the law; the deity and incarnation of Christ; the death, resurrection, ascension, and second coming of Christ; the Holy Spirit; the Church and sacraments; justification and sanctification; the resurrection of the dead; prayer and Bible reading; and more.
• Complete the weekly catechism class assignments (e.g., a survey of key Bible passages).
• Read our Church Manual and submit a membership application.
• Wait for the elders to review your application and, if they recommend you for membership, for the church to vote.

Step 3: Baptized Member

Be formally received as a member of Christ’s visible body on earth.

• Schedule a time to be baptized or to renew your baptism vows (if you have already been baptized in the past).
• Publicly vow to make a clean break from your old life, hold fast to the Christian faith, and walk in new obedience to God’s commands.
• Be formally received as a member of Christ’s church. You belong!
• Begin sharing the Lord’s Supper every Sunday and coming to church as often as possible (Sunday School, Sunday worship, Wednesday prayer Bible Study) to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ.

Step 4: Disciple and Mentee

Receive more focused, personalized discipleship as you get established in the Christian faith, confront vices, and develop new habits of life and character (virtues).

• Work through the “next steps” in your catechism book (e.g., read the New Testament and Psalms, share your faith, establish a habit of family devotions, look for ways to serve the body of Christ).
• Meet once a month with a mentor (usually a pastor/elder) to receive support, friendship, and accountability as you make changes in your life and seek to develop new habits.
• Mentorship usually continues for one to two years (12–24 meetings in total).

Step 5: Disciple and Disciple-Maker

Become more invested in leading others to Jesus and helping them in their spiritual journey.

• We never stop being disciples of Christ and of his church, but as we grow in spiritual maturity, we become better equipped to disciple others.
• Some mature disciples may be asked to mentor others.
• Some may be asked to apply to be deacons or elders.
• All will be asked to use their gifts for the good of the body. Everyone has a work to do in Christ’s kingdom!