Becoming a Member

“So then you are no longer strangers… but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God” Ephesians 2:19 (NRSV)

If you do not have a church home, we encourage you to consider becoming a member of Providence. Becoming a member of Providence Presbyterian Church expresses your commitment to this community of faith, a family that worships together, grows in faith together, and shares God’s Love with others. We are committed to connecting with you and helping you solidify your faith and find your place at Providence. If you are interested in membership, or becoming a Christian, one of our pastors would be delighted to talk with you to discuss whatever questions you might have.

New member classes, led by one of our pastors provide prospective members an opportunity to interact with pastors and other current church members, ask questions, and learn more about the following topics and more:

• programs, activities, opportunities to participate and serve
• resources for Bible study and prayer to include free study and reading materials in the church library
• explanation of who Presbyterians are and what they believe
• opportunities to connect with others and make friends
• opportunities to grow in faith and serve Providence and the community
• process of becoming a member and expectations

Following the class, the Deacons host a dinner at the home of one of our members. If you are interested in learning more, please see or contact one of the pastors at the church office.

Those electing to join the church meet briefly with members of the Session, the elected officers of the church, to be accepted into membership. Members are accepted into Providence by profession of faith, restatement of faith, or by letter of transfer from another church.

Click here to register for the next New Member Class.

Frequently Asked Questions

• I am thinking about membership. What should I do? [+ show][- hide]
  
  Please contact Rev. Dr. Burns or Rev. Rodgers at the church office 703-978-3934. They will be glad to talk with you about membership at Providence and try to answer any questions you may have. If you would just like to sign up to attend the Prospective Member class, please register here. We also welcome a last-minute decision to show up at a class. Though we appreciate a phone call or e-mail to let us know you plan to attend, it is not absolutely necessary.
• Who comes to a New Member Class? [+ show][- hide]
  
  Typically, a class will include people of different ages and from a broad spectrum of faith experiences and traditions. Often someone in the class will have not have been baptized. Others, though baptized as infants, have never made a public profession of faith. Still others have grown up in a Christian church, drifted away from participation in a church community, but have decided to renew their Christian commitments and are looking to take that step. Frequently, classes will include people from many different faiths, who because of personal circumstances, are looking for a new church home. We also have lifelong active church members, whether Presbyterian or other Protestant traditions, who come wanting to transfer their membership to Providence Presbyterian Church. All are welcome!
• What happens in a New Member Class? [+ show][- hide]
  
  The pastors lead this class. They cover the topics of membership and what it means to be an active member of Providence Presbyterian Church. Providence members strive to be:

  • A Worshiping member
  • A Spiritually Growing member
  • A Praying member
  • A Mission Minded member
  • A Pledging member
  • An Inviting member

• What if I am not ready to become a member, can I still participate in a New Member Class? [+ show][- hide]
  
  Of course! Being ready to join the church is not an expectation of those who attend the classes. We want participants to be free to think through membership at Providence and what is involved with that commitment. Each class regularly includes people who are still exploring their faith, or for other reasons are not yet prepared to join the church. We encourage people to continue to worship with us and take part in all our ministries. Should you, sometime in the future, decide to join Providence, we will welcome you gladly into membership.
• If I am ready to join Providence Presbyterian Church what do I do? [+ show][- hide]
  Register for the next New Member Class. At the end of the class, an invitation to join the church will be extended. We will help you determine which of the various means of joining is appropriate for you.

  • Profession of Faith: If you have not been baptized, you will be baptized the day that the class is introduced to the congregation.
  • Reaffirmation of Faith: This applies to those who have been baptized, but have not been active in a congregation for some time.
  • Transfer of Letter: If you have been an active member in another church, we will receive you by transfer of membership from another congregation. We will write the appropriate letter necessary to complete that transfer.

  You will be formally received into membership by meeting with the Session, the church’s governing body, which will hold a special meeting on the Sunday you join. You will be welcomed into membership during one of the morning worship services.

• I was baptized in another church; do I need to be baptized again?[+ show][- hide]
  
  No. Presbyterians recognize the baptisms of all Christian churches, whether baptized as an infant or an adult. We do not re-baptize.