Trails to Membership

Becoming a member of Lutheran Church of Our Saviour

We joyfully welcome a variety of people into the Body of Christ as members of this congregation.  We know that people who come to the decision to learn more about the Church or to join this congregation arrive from different places in life.  Sometimes these places are other geographic locations.  Sometimes people arrive here at different places along their faith journey.  It is our hope that however you arrive, we will be able to equip and support you for meaningful discipleship as you continue your journey.

There are many trails you can take.  Our encouragement to you is to “take your time and follow the best trail for you.”  Find the trail that best describes your circumstances and call the church office (276-4271) or talk with Pastor Ruppar or email him at pastor@lcosva.org to start the process. 

Which trail is right for you?

• I recently moved here and was an active member of a Lutheran congregation in my former home.  I visited several other churches and really want to become an active member of Lutheran Church of Our Saviour. Is this your Trail?
• I have been active in a congregation of another Christian denomination and have sensed the need to find a new congregational home.  After visiting other congregations, I feel that Lutheran Church of Our Saviour is the best one for me to continue as a member of the Body of Christ. Is this your Trail?
• Years ago I was a member of a Lutheran congregation, but have not been involved for some time.  I’d like to reconnect my life with a vibrant congregation and share in the life and ministry of that congregation.  I believe that Lutheran Church of Our Saviour might be the right congregation for me to participate in the Body of Christ. Is this your Trail?
• I remember going to church a few times when I was a child or even early in my adult life, but I was never really an active participant in a congregation.  I was baptized as a child but I don’t understand a lot about the church.  I would like to learn more about faith in Christ and explorebecoming a part of a Christian community.  I believe Lutheran Church of Our Saviour might be the place to join and grow in the faith. Is this your Trail?
• I’m new to all this stuff about church.  I’ve never been part of a congregation or church and never baptized.  I feel that I want to learn more about faith in God and explore becoming part of the Christian community.  I’d like to know more about baptism and what it means to join a church.  I think Lutheran Church of Our Saviour might be the right place for me to explore these concerns. Is this your Trail?
• I've been going through a time of some personal change. I've recently experienced the death of a loved one (or the loss of my marriage, or a major change in my employment, or a serious health issue, or a move far from my previous home.) I feel it's now important to build my faith relationship with God and others. I would like a place to learn more about faith in Christ and to explore becoming a part of a Christian community, and I think Lutheran Church of Our Saviour might be that place. Is this your Trail?
• I would go to church a few times in the past, but was never really a part of a Christian congregation or active in a church. I was baptized, however, and now have a child whom I would like to be baptized. I also feel it's now important to build our family's faith relationship with God and others. I would like a place to learn more about faith in Christ, to seek our child's baptism, and to become part of a Christian community myself. I think Lutheran Church of Our Saviour might be that place. Is this your Trail?
• I was once a member of a Lutheran congregation, but have not been involved with congregational life for some time. I now have a child and believe it's important for our child to be baptized. I also believe it's time for me to "reconnect," and to share the life and mission of a congregation. I believe Lutheran Church of Our Saviour might be the right congregation for my child's baptism and for my family's renewed participation in the Body of Christ. Is this your Trail?
• My work, military service or attendance at college places me in this area but I know I will be moving away again in the foreseeable future. I am an active member in another congregation at home.  Should I join LCOS in order to participate in its programs? Is this your Trail?

Recently Moved

1. A personal meeting with the pastor at your home, the church, or some other location (such as a restaurant for coffee or lunch).

2. Participate in the next “New Member Orientation” class.

3. Complete the form requesting to join us so that we can request a transfer from your former congregation. 

4. Commit to participate in our worship services and in one or more of the upcoming ministry events within the next 3 months. 

Another Christian Denomination

1. A personal meeting with the pastor at your home, the church, or some other location (such as a restaurant for coffee or lunch)

2. Participate in the next “What Lutherans Believe” class.

3. Attend the “New Member Orientation” class.

4. Complete the form requesting to join us so that we can request a transfer from your former congregation. 

5. Commit to participate in our worship services and in one or more of the upcoming ministry events within the next 3 months. 

A Member Years Ago

1. A personal meeting with the pastor at your home, the church, or some other location (such as a restaurant for coffee or lunch).

2. Participate in the next “What Lutherans Believe” class.

3. Attend the “New Member Orientation” class.

4. Complete the form requesting to join us. 

5. Participate in one of our adult Bible studies such as the Sunday Forum.

6. Commit to participate in our worship services and in one or more of the upcoming ministry events within the next 3 months. 

Went to Church a few times

1. A personal meeting with the pastor at your home, the church, or some other location (such as a restaurant for coffee or lunch).

2. Participate in the next “What Lutherans Believe” class

3. Participate in a Bible study such as the Sunday forum or other group study.

4. Commit to participate in worship and one or more of our upcoming ministry activities within the next 3 months. 

5. Consider a more in-depth study of the Christian faith leading to adult confirmation

6. Attend a “New Member Orientation” class

7. Complete the form requesting to join us.

New to Church

1. A personal meeting with the pastor at your home, the church, or some other location (such as a restaurant for coffee or lunch).

2. Participate in the next “What Lutherans Believe” class

3. Participate in a Bible study such as the Sunday forum or other group study.

4. Commit to participate in worship and one or more of our upcoming ministry activities within the next 3 months. 

5. Work with the pastor to prepare yourself for Adult Baptism

6. Schedule your Baptism into Christ and welcome into the congregation.

7. Attend a “New Member Orientation” class and complete a “Request for Membership” form to join the congregation. 

Time of Personal Change

1. A personal meeting with the pastor either in your home, at the church, or in some other location (such as a restaurant for coffee or lunch)

2. Discussion with the pastor to discern what kind of church experience or ministry would be most helpful for you right now.

3. Taking time to find some healing before making a final decision on membership.

4. Participate in the next “What Lutherans Believe” class.

5. Participate in worship and activities of the congregation as you consider becoming a member.  If you decide to join us formally, complete a “Request for Membership” form and attend a “New Member Orientation” class. 

Went to church a few times

1. A personal meeting with a pastor either in your home, at the church, or in some other location (such as a restaurant for coffee or lunch,).  Discuss your faith journey and the role of baptism in your life and the life of your child. 

2. Participate in the next “What Lutherans Believe” class.

3. Participate in the next "New Member Orientation” class.

4. Commit to participate in one or more of our upcoming ministry events within the next 3 months.

5. Consider adult confirmation.

6. Schedule your child’s Baptism into Christ and welcome into the congregation.

Once was a member

1. A personal meeting with the pastor either in your home, at the church, or in some other location (such as a restaurant for coffee or lunch).  This meeting will help determine if this is the right congregation for the family members to become active participants. 

2. Consider participation in the next “What Lutherans Believe” class as a refresher class for you.  .

3. Participate in the next "New Member Orientation" session.

4. Commit to participate in one or more of our upcoming ministry events within the next 3months.

5. Meet with the pastor for a class about baptism and then schedule the baptism and welcome into the congregation. 

Return

Moving Soon

1. Actually, you can participate in all of our programs, except voting at our official meetings, as a non-member.  For those who actively retain membership in a home congregation and are in this area temporarily, we can offer Associate Membership.  You can participate in our worship and programs while retaining membership in your home congregation. 

2. Meet with the pastor and complete a “Request for Associate Membership” form.