Pathway to Membership in the Immanuel Canadian Reformed Church
- Spend time getting to know who we are. The best way to get to know who we are is to come to the public worship services where you can hear the preaching of the gospel, join in with the prayers and singing, and meet the members who would be happy to answer any questions you may have. We would also encourage you to browse through this website where you will find introductory videos, access to live-stream worship services, sermon archives, and a list of the activities and classes we offer. If you would like to learn more about the Canadian Reformed churches in general, check out the website: www.canrc.org
- Let us know that you are interested. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Immanuel Canadian Reformed church, or would like some further instruction in the Reformed faith before you make a decision, please come to a worship service and let an usher or greeter know. They will help you get into contact with the pastor or one of the elders so that arrangements can be made.
- Let us help you demonstrate your faith. Before receiving a person as a member of Christ’s church the pastors are called by God to ensure that you have godly motives to seek membership in the church, know the Scriptures, rejoice in the gospel, flee from your sins, and seek to live according to the will of God. In addition to observing your regular attendance at the worship services and other activities of the church which demonstrate your commitment to being a living member of the congregation, ordinarily two of the elders will meet with you to talk about your Christian faith and to discuss options for further instruction in the Scriptures and the confession and life of believers, before announcing your intentions to the congregation.
- Let us hear you publicly profess your faith. After you have demonstrated your commitment to becoming a living member of the congregation and received the recommended instruction, you will be given an opportunity to share your Christian testimony with the spiritual leaders of the church and to make arrangements for baptism (if necessary) and/or a public declaration of faith before the LORD in a public worship service. [Cf. links to the forms used for adult baptism (https://canrc.org/forms/form-for-the-baptism-of-adults) and public profession of faith (https://canrc.org/forms/form-for-the-public-profession-of-faith)
- Let us worship God beside one another. The Holy Spirit’s work in the hearts of all believers is evident in their desire to hear their Good Shepherd Jesus Christ speak through the Scriptures in the public worship services, to respond to his voice with thankful songs, prayers, offerings, and participation in the sacraments, and to seek to love and serve your brothers and sisters in the family of God under the spiritual leadership of the elders and deacons.