Updated April 7, 2006

Step 1

Everyone interested in considering membership at First Presbyterian Church is asked to identify themselves to a member of the staff. We will attempt to answer any questions or concerns you have.

One important matter to be discussed concerns the category of membership through which one is to be received at First Presbyterian Church. One may join our fellowship in any of the three ways:

1. BY PROFESSION OF FAITH — If you have never publicly professed faith in Jesus Christ before, you can receive Him as your Savior and Lord. Baptism is necessary if you have not previously been baptized.
2. BY LETTER OF MEMBERSHIP TRANSFER — We will receive into our membership by letter anyone from a Christian church that grants transfers to membership. We accept as valid any baptism administered by an ordained minister in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
3. BY REAFFIRMATION OF FAITH — If your previous church does not grant letters of membership transfer, you may reaffirm your personal faith in Jesus Christ and so be received into membership of this church.

In each of these three categories, those who unite with our church are welcomed as they affirm (or reaffirm) the following vows prescribed in The Book of Order:

1. Do you acknowledge yourself to be a sinner in the sight of God, justly deserving God's displeasure and without hope except in God's sovereign mercy?
2. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and depend upon Christ alone for your salvation as offered in the gospel?
3. Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ?
4. Do you promise to serve Christ in the Church by supporting and participating in its service to God and its ministry to others to the best of your ability?
5. Do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of the Church and promise to further its purity and peace?

Step 2

Those interested in membership will be reminded about the date of the next Inquirers' Class, which is the next step in the process. First Presbyterian Church is a large church, and we take seriously the matter of assimilating our new members into the life and activities of this big family.

The most effective way we have found to do this is through the experience of the Inquirers' Class, giving those about to join the family the opportunity to find out who we are and what God is having us do for Him at First Presbyterian Church.

The five-week classes are conducted during the Church School hour (9:45 to 10:45 a.m.) at various times throughout the year. The bonding of new members to each other and to experienced members who are part of the core group of each class is an important part of the class experience.

Participating in the series will provide information about the meaning of membership in the Christian family, what we are as Presbyterians, and how to become an active part of the particular family at First Presbyterian Church.

Having completed the course, the new member is ready to take the next step. If the completion of Step Two should prove to be a serious problem or impediment to membership, we urge you to please contact the Associate Pastor or the Moderator of the Outreach and Membership Development Committee.

Step 3

This step involves meeting with the Session of the Church (elders) to be received formally as members. This important step should be taken as soon after Step 2 as possible.

The prospective members will be introduced to the elders and given the opportunity of uniting with the Church in one of the three ways described above: profession of faith, letter of membership or reaffirmation of faith.

In all three cases, The Book of Order "Five Questions" will be asked of the group joining that day, and each person must be able to respond affirmatively.

At the close, the elders will give new members the "right hand of fellowship" to express the Church's welcome.

A special service of recognition for new members and two pot-luck suppers in their honor will be held to celebrate this significant experience in their spiritual lives.

Are you ready to take Step 1?

Please identify yourself to a staff member or if you would like further details, contact:

First Presbyterian Church
1100 S. Harrison
Amarillo, Texas 79101
806.373.4242

If you would like for us to contact you about membership in First Presbyterian Church (or any questions you may have about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ), please e-mail us.

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