Membership at Trinity
It was Tim Keller who wrote: “Church membership means being incorporated into a body in which others hold you accountable, love you, and need your gifts. It is not a consumer relationship, but a covenant.”
Membership in a church is about commitment and contribution, bringing the gifts God has given you to the community God has gathered in this time and place, stewarding them for the good of the body and our neighbors. That is, church members are committed to living out the “one anothers” of Scripture.
Here’s how membership at Trinity works:
- Attend an informational session (quarterly) or meet with Mike+ – the next info sessions are October 5th or 12th, right after church.
- Fill out the New Member form (includes affirmation of values, conflict guidelines, expectations of membership conduct, and theological positions); each individual member of a family needs to fill out their own form. You can check to see if you’ve already filled ou the form here or email Mike+ (mike@trinityburke.com)
- Testimony (written), for those who need to be received or confirmed.
- Confirmation or Reception the next time our Bishop visits (if not previously confirmed or received at Trinity), or transfer of membership (if moving from another church in the Diocese of the Mid Atlantic).
*** Note *** If you were part of the launch team, or “grandfathered” in as an early participant at Trinity from Truro or another sister church in the diocese and have already been confirmed/received, we’ll still need a membership form from you.
What is Confirmation/Reception? Confirmations and receptions happen when our Bishop visits Trinity, usually once a year. It involved the laying on of hands, and a welcoming into this particular expression of Christ’s Body. It may be helpful to think of Confirmation/Reception as a lay commissioning to ministry in this particular church for this particular season. You’re not necessarily committing to only worshipping in Anglican churches forever and ever, but you are committing to worshipping and serving at Trinity for as long as the Lord has you here.
Of course, anyone can participate in the life and ministry of Trinity Burke, but there are some roles and responsibilities that are limited to church members.
Members in good standing may:
- Vote for vestry (immediately)
- Stand for vestry (after one year of attending)
- Serve on the Missions Committee (after one year of attending)
- Serve on the Finance Committee (after one year of attending)
- Serve as Lay Eucharistic Ministers (“LEM’s”) (after six months of attending)
There are a few other ministry roles that at this time are not limited to members only, but do require a minimum of six months of worship at Trinity – specifically: 1) Kids or Youth Ministry, and 2) Small Group Hosting.
So Why Should You Join?
We live in a world where people hesitate to commit to anything. Our culture is driven by individualism and consumerism (“I want and deserve to do what I want”). Church membership subverts this tendency, as it is primarily about commitment – both to a particular church body and to a way of living together that is committed to giving oneself away for the sake of others.
A Word About Vestry Nominations
We will hold our first vestry nominations at a Parish Meeting after church on Sunday, Nov. 9th (along with a chili cook-off!). Here’s how this process works:
- We (the clergy and Advisory Team) begin to accept nominations for vestry. You do not need to be a member to make a nomination, but we do ask that you keep your nominations confidential (including from the person you nominated). You can nominate here. The plan is for nominations to close on Oct. 19th.
- The Nominating Committee (made up of the clergy and departing member(s) of the Advisory Team) will vet nominations to make sure they meet the criteria outlined here.
- Mike+ will be in touch with nominees to see if they’re willing to serve.
- We’ll announce the slate of nominees the week before the election.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mike+ (mike@trinityburke.com).