Membership
"The duty of all Christians is to follow Christ; to come together week by week for corporate worship; and to work, pray, and give for the spread of the kingdom of God.”
(Book of Common Prayer, 856) At Christ the King, we are a welcoming community, and we treasure everyone who comes to worship, serve, pray, and learn. But, attendance - even regular attendance - is not quite the same as being a member. Indeed, though not like social or professional organizations, the Episcopal Church does have membership criteria, not to say who is "in or who is "out", but to identify who has taken the intentional step to be part of the worshipping community.
Church membership is defined in the Church Canons (church law). |
LEGAL (CANONICAL) BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
All Adult Members are entitled to vote at the parish's Annual Meeting.
Any Communicant in Good Standing can hold elected office on vestry or as a delegate to convention.
MEMBER
That said, a member is someone you has "received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism with water in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, whether in this Church or in another Christian Church, and whose Baptisms have been duly recorded in this Church" (Title 1, Canon 17.1.a).
If you would like baptism, please see or contact the Rev. Robert Moses.
If you were baptized (with water - in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit) in another Christian denomination and would like to record your baptism with the Episcopal Church, please email or otherwise contact the parish office.
If you were baptized in another Episcopal Church and would like to transfer your record of membership to Christ the King Episcopal Church (Lakeland), please email or otherwise contact the parish office.
COMMUNICANTS IN GOOD STANDING
"All members of this Church who have received Holy Communion in this Church at least three times during the preceding year are to be considered communicants of this Church" (Title 1, Canon 17.2.a). A baptized, communicant is considered to be "in good standing" when, for the previous year, they are "faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God" (Title 1, Canon 17.2.a). "Giving" is most easily reflected in monetary gifts, but this not required to be.
ADULT
"Adult" is defined as anyone sixteen (16) years of age and over (Title 1, Canon 17.1.b). At Christ the King, you must be eighteen (18) years of age and over to hold elected office.
CONFIRMATION, RECEPTION, & REAFFIRMATION
Membership criteria does not include Confirmation or Reception because those are NOT about membership; instead, they are about the mature public affirmation of faith. While these are strongly encouraged, they are not required.
If you would like to be confirmed or received, or to reaffirm your faith in a public rite, please see or contact the Rev. Robert Moses.
Confirmation and Reception require preparation (also suggested for Reaffirmation) - classes are offered periodically.
The Sacramental Rite of Confirmation and the Rite of Reception, as well as the ceremony for Reaffirmation, are celebrated and officiated by the bishop.
All Adult Members are entitled to vote at the parish's Annual Meeting.
Any Communicant in Good Standing can hold elected office on vestry or as a delegate to convention.
MEMBER
That said, a member is someone you has "received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism with water in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, whether in this Church or in another Christian Church, and whose Baptisms have been duly recorded in this Church" (Title 1, Canon 17.1.a).
If you would like baptism, please see or contact the Rev. Robert Moses.
If you were baptized (with water - in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit) in another Christian denomination and would like to record your baptism with the Episcopal Church, please email or otherwise contact the parish office.
If you were baptized in another Episcopal Church and would like to transfer your record of membership to Christ the King Episcopal Church (Lakeland), please email or otherwise contact the parish office.
COMMUNICANTS IN GOOD STANDING
"All members of this Church who have received Holy Communion in this Church at least three times during the preceding year are to be considered communicants of this Church" (Title 1, Canon 17.2.a). A baptized, communicant is considered to be "in good standing" when, for the previous year, they are "faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God" (Title 1, Canon 17.2.a). "Giving" is most easily reflected in monetary gifts, but this not required to be.
ADULT
"Adult" is defined as anyone sixteen (16) years of age and over (Title 1, Canon 17.1.b). At Christ the King, you must be eighteen (18) years of age and over to hold elected office.
CONFIRMATION, RECEPTION, & REAFFIRMATION
Membership criteria does not include Confirmation or Reception because those are NOT about membership; instead, they are about the mature public affirmation of faith. While these are strongly encouraged, they are not required.
If you would like to be confirmed or received, or to reaffirm your faith in a public rite, please see or contact the Rev. Robert Moses.
Confirmation and Reception require preparation (also suggested for Reaffirmation) - classes are offered periodically.
The Sacramental Rite of Confirmation and the Rite of Reception, as well as the ceremony for Reaffirmation, are celebrated and officiated by the bishop.