Public Worship and Aids to Devotion Committee Website

Author

General Assembly of Australia

Admission to Membership: From other Churches

Reception of Communicants from other Churches

The minister shall say:

The following persons have been received by the Session into the membership of this congregation by transfer and commendation from other churches.

These persons named will now present themselves for public reception into the fellowship of the congregation.

The names of those to be received are read out.

Do you reaffirm your faith in God as your heavenly Father, in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, and in the Holy Spirit as your Sanctifier?

Response: I do.

Do you promise to submit to the authority of the local elders as they exercise pastoral oversight in this congregation?

Response: I do.

Do you promise to persevere in the diligent use of the means of grace, to seek the peace and welfare of the church, and faithfully to support its work and worship?

Response: I do.

Beloved in the Lord, as you transfer your membership in His church to this congregation, we hereby admit and welcome you to our fellowship.

Then the members of the congregation shall rise, and the minister shall say:

In the name of the Lord Jesus the only King and Head of the Church and by authority of the Session we welcome you to the work and worship of this congregation and pledge to you our Christian fellowship. Thus united, we pray that all of us may grow into the likeness of Christ, being faithful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Rejoice! 352)

(Numbers 6:24-27)

Then the minister and elders shall give the right hand of fellowship.