What is membership?
Membership refers to our participation together as one Body in Christ. As the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12: “You are (together) the body of Christ and individually members of it…”
Membership at The Table functions on two levels. First, on a technical/bylaws level, members are those who can 1) nominate vestry members, 2) serve as vestry members, and 3) have a voice in congregational meetings (discussing decisions the entire church discerns together).
More importantly, though, on a spiritual level, membership is a way to commit to walking with our local community, to make commitments of solidarity to each other in Christ, living out a “rule of life” together in mutuality as a local congregation.
Members at The Table, then, are those who sense God’s invitation to make their spiritual home in our church community for a season, and are committed to discipleship and mission with us as expressed in our vision, mission, and identity. (See the specifics in the Membership Covenant below.)
As members of one Body together, we care for one another, suffer with one another, and rejoice with one another (1 Cor 12), because love is the way the members of the Body function together (1 Cor 13).
How does membership relate to confirmation?
Confirmation was a way of saying “yes” to the broader Anglican identity and community, and membership is a way of saying “yes” to walking with our particular community for a season.
So, you can become a member even if you’re not confirmed as an Anglican. Also, confirmation doesn’t automatically make you a member of The Table, because membership has to do with living out specific commitments to one another locally.
What membership isn’t
Some people are rightfully wary of church “membership” talk because of harmful experiences in the past. So here are a few things that membership is definitely NOT at The Table:
- Membership is NOT a way to assert dominance or control over you, to ensure your compliance with church vision, etc.
- Membership is NOT signing up to be “overseen” and held to specific regulations and punishments.
- Membership is NOT a status or power game to create “us vs. them” dynamics.
The membership process
Every year in January we hold a 4-week membership class (The Table 101). Those interested in becoming members must complete The Table 101 and sign the membership covenant, and will be commissioned during a worship service (usually the first Sunday of February).
All potential members are asked to be at The Table for ~6 months before being commissioned.
The membership covenant
Having put my trust in Christ alone as my Savior and Lord, being in agreement with the Vision and Practices of The Table, I believe I have been led by God to join this church family.
By God’s grace and the Holy Spirit’s power, I will share in the life and mission of The Table by:
- Participating actively and regularly in the life of The Table (worship, community, discipleship, and service);
- Giving generously as able to The Table to participate in our life and mission;
- Practicing mutual submission and communal discernment with others;
- Resolving conflict and pursuing reconciliation with others.
If you’d like to become a member at The Table, click the button below:
