Terminology

 

“Friends” are individuals who wish to be connected to Christ the King but are unable to be members.  This includes people who live out of town or who are members of other churches.

 

“Members” are individuals who have committed themselves to living life with the church family of Christ the King Anglican Church.  See definition and expectations below.

 

Definition of membership

 

According to the ACNA:

“Membership in the Church requires that a person has received the Sacrament of Baptism with water in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and that such a person be accepted as a member of the Church by a congregation of this Church in compliance with the Constitution of the Church. Such a person is a baptized member of the Church. A confirmed member is a baptized member who has been confirmed or received by a Bishop of the Church. Dioceses and congregations may establish the norm and standards for membership in good standing.” [1]

 

Expectations of Members

 

1.  Baptism 

All members of Christ the King Anglican Church must be believing Christians who have received Christian baptism in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  We recognize that Christian churches use different methods and modes for baptism (e.g. infant or believer, pouring or immersing), and we affirm all of them as long as they are in the name of the Triune God.  

 

Additionally, as per Canon 10 of the ACNA Constitution and Canons, it is the duty of every member of the Church “To present their children and those they have led to the Lord for baptism and confirmation.”

 

 

2.  The Creeds

Anglican theology is rather broad by design and there is room for a variety of different understandings on a number of secondary theological issues.  However, we affirm as essential doctrines those contained in the historic ecumenical creeds (Apostles’, Nicene, Athanasian) of the Christian Church.  All members ought to be able to affirm with confidence the words of the Nicene Creed as a faithful summary of Biblical teaching.  The Nicene Creed can be found in the appendix to this document. 

 

Additionally, according to the ACNA Constitution and Canons, it is the duty of every member of the Church:

• To continue his or her instruction in the Faith so as to remain an effective minister for the Lord Jesus Christ

• To engage regularly in the reading and study of Holy Scripture and the Doctrine of the Church as found in Article I of the Constitution of this Church

 

 

3.  Prayer and Worship

One of the great joys the Lord has given us is the privilege and responsibility to come together with other Christians and worship him.  According to the ACNA Constitution and Canons, it is the duty of every Church member:

• To worship God, the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, every Lord’s Day in a Church unless reasonably prevented

• To receive worthily the Sacrament of Holy Communion as often as reasonable

• To observe the feasts and fasts of the Church set forth in the Anglican formularies

• To pray regularly for their needs and those of others, for the Church and its mission, and for the concerns of the world

 

It is our expectation that all members of Christ the King will make regular attendance at Sunday worship a priority in their lives.  

 

4.  Giving

In Romans 12, Paul urges us “to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”  Being part of the Body of Christ means full participation in it.  According to the ACNA Constitution and Canons, it is the duty of every Church member “To give regular financial support to the Church, with the biblical tithe as the minimum standard of giving.”  

 

Our expectation is that members of Christ the King Anglican Church will give sacrificially of their time, their talent, and their treasure for the work of the Church.

 

5.  Pursuing holiness

Members of Christ the King Anglican Church ought to have a desire to seek out, understand, and abide by the moral teachings of Scripture as understood and set forth by the ACNA.  According to the ACNA Constitution and Canons, it is the duty of all Church members:

• To observe their baptismal vows, to lead upright and sober lives, and not give scandal to the Church;

• To practice forgiveness daily according to our Lord’s teaching

• To affirm and follow the biblical standards of sexual morality and ethics in Canon II.8, found in the appendix to this document.

• To devote themselves to the ministry of Christ among those who do not know Him, utilizing the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives them, for the effective extension of Christ’s Kingdom. 

 

Confirmation/Reception

 

Confirmation/Reception is accomplished through the laying on of hands by a bishop and, among other things, demonstrates a commitment on the part of the individual to be a Christian in a distinctively Anglican way.  While confirmation is not required to be a Member at Christ the King Anglican Church, it is our hope that all members, if they have not done so already, will actively discern the Lord’s call to be confirmed or received in the ACNA.

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Serving and Participating at Christ the King Anglican Church

 

Individuals who are not yet members of Christ the King Anglican Church are invited to participate in the following ministries:

• Participation in public worship

• Assistance with the hospitality ministry

• Music ministry (must be baptized)

• Assistance with special events

• Serving as a lector (must be baptized and approved by clergy)

• Outreach activities

• Video Production Team

• Greeters

• Ushers

 

Membership is required to participate in the following ministries:

• Altar guild

• Acolytes

• Any work with children or teens

• Prayer Team

• Nominating members to the Vestry

• Voting on those matters subject to a vote of the membership in the Church Bylaws

 

Anglican Confirmation/Reception is required for:

• Serving on the Vestry*

• Representing Christ the King Anglican Church at diocesan and provincial functions

• Entering the ordination process

 

Becoming a member

 

To become a member, individuals must first complete the “Foundations for Faith,” course, administered by a trained instructor. Following the completion of the course, prospective members must fill out and sign the Membership Covenant and turn it in to the Rector.  The information given will be used for parish and diocesan purposes only, including a directory for use by parish members.  Once the form has been accepted by the Rector, the individual is officially a member of the parish.  We will welcome new members during Sunday morning services once a quarter where we will introduce new members and pray for them.

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Appendix

 

The Nicene Creed

 

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, visible and invisible. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.  We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,  who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

Canon 8
 

Of Standards of Sexual Morality and Ethics 

Section 1 – Clergy and lay leaders of this Church are called to be exemplary in all spheres of morality as a condition of being appointed or remaining in office. 

 

Section 2 - In view of the teaching of Holy Scripture, the Lambeth Conference of 1998 and the Jerusalem Declaration, this Church upholds faithfulness in marriage between a man and a woman in lifelong union, and believes that abstinence is right for those who are not called to marriage, and cannot legitimize or bless same sex unions or ordain persons who engage in homosexual behavior. Sexual intercourse should take place only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. 

 

Section 3 - God, and not man, is the creator of human life. The unjustified taking of life is sinful. Therefore, all members and clergy are called to promote and respect the sanctity of every human life from conception to natural death. 

 

Section 4 - The Church is called upon to show Christ-like compassion to those who have fallen into sin, encouraging them to repent and receive forgiveness, and offering the ministry of healing to all who suffer physically or emotionally as a result of such sin.