How do I become a communicant member?
Inquirer's Class
Offered in the Fall during Sunday School, 9:30
The Inquirer’s Class is offered annually during the Sunday School hour. It is an opportunity for those new to NCPC to learn more about the background and “inner workings” of our church, and includes instruction in church doctrine, government, and membership responsibilities. This class is required for those wishing to become members of NCPC, but if you take this class there is no obligation to join the church.
Adult Membership Application - CLICK HERE
Covenant Child Membership Application - CLICK HERE
A Covenant Child Membership Booklet is available for parents who wish to read some helpful guidelines for determining if your child is ready for communicant membership. You may download a PDF version of the booklet - CLICK HERE
OR - Contact the church office and we will send you a copy by mail - ncpc@ncpres.org
Your Testimony of Faith
An opportunity to share your testimony with the Elders
Once you have completed the class, if you wish to become a member of New Covenant you will be asked to come before the elders sitting in session for an interview, where you will be asked to share your testimony of faith in Jesus Christ and show your understanding of basic Christian doctrine.
On the basis of your credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ and your credible promise to submit to His laws, you will be joyfully received into the membership of His visible church at New Covenant as a communing member, where you and your household will enjoy the benefits of living in covenant life and blessing with the people of God.
If you would like to meet with the elders for membership, you will need to fill out an application form and give it to one of the elders.
Pastor Barker will call you to schedule an interview.
Adult Membership Application Form - CLICK HERE
Covenant Child Membership Application Form - CLICK HERE
Received into Membership
Welcome to the Family!
You will be encouraged to grow in your Christian walk with the Lord in the following ways:
-To grow in the knowledge of the Lord by prayer, by sustained study of the Scriptures, and by faithful participation in Christian Education classes on Lord’s Day mornings.
-To attend worship services faithfully and to expect rich blessings by participating in the sacraments faithfully and with understanding.
-To participate actively in the life of New Covenant Presbyterian Church by attending congregational meetings, by joining in regular fellowship, and by serving the body as needs and opportunities for service arise.
-To bring the whole tithe to New Covenant Presbyterian Church, giving beyond the tithe as the Lord may lead and make possible.
-To grow in awareness of the work of Chesapeake Presbytery and the PCA General Assembly by reading selected publications and news, announcements, and deliberations published on their respective websites.
Public Reception
Professing Christ before others
Soon after your reception into membership by the elders, you will be asked to publicly profess your faith before men in obedience to our Lord as you respond to the membership vows taken before God and the congregation during our morning worship service:
(1) Do you believe the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, to be the Word of God, and its doctrine of salvation to be the perfect and only true doctrine of salvation?
(2) Do you believe in one living and true God, in whom eternally there are three distinct persons—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—who are the same in being and equal in power and glory, and that Jesus Christ is God the Son, come in the flesh?
(3) Do you confess that because of your sinfulness you abhor and humble yourself before God, that you repent of your sin, and that you trust for salvation not in yourself but in Jesus Christ alone?
(4) Do you acknowledge Jesus Christ as your sovereign Lord, and do you promise that, in reliance on the grace of God, you will serve him with all that is in you, forsake the world, resist the devil, put to death your sinful deeds and desires, and lead a godly life?
(5) Do you promise to participate faithfully in this church’s worship and service, to submit in the Lord to its government, and to heed its discipline, even in case you should be found delinquent in doctrine or life;