Membership FAQ

Hey United Lifers, 

We've had a great response so far regarding our membership class sign up, but I know that people still had some questions about why we're having an official class, who should sign up for it, and why we're bringing up the topic of membership now. So, to clear up some of these questions as well as open up new questions for discussion, we've decided as a leadership team to bring this topic online. The questions, by the way, come from individual conversations as well as some brainstorming on the part of the leadership. 

Without further ado, then, here we go! 

1) "I've been going to this church forever. Why do I need to take membership classes?" 

Technically, according to our church by-laws, anybody who has been baptized (in any Christian church) and confirmed (at United Presbyterian Church of Seattle) is already an official member of UPCS. This means that if you were confirmed somewhere else, or if you were never confirmed, then you are not an official member of UPCS. With that said, let me say that, regardless of your membership status, if you've been coming out we are so glad to have you! 

Yet this membership course is actually about more than becoming "offficial". In fact, the main reason we are offering this course in order to create a common foundation upon which our whole body, whether we've grown up in this church or whether we just walked through the door, can stand.  Through this course we will get the chance to grow closer in our understanding of why God has called us together as a ministry and spiritual family. What is more, I hope this course empowers each member of our ministry with the knowledge and trust needed to take initiative and leadership in building God's kingdom. 

In short, we encourage everybody who calls United Life and UPCS their spiritual family to attend these courses, regardless of their membership status. 

2) "What are theses classes going to be like? What if I have a schedule conflict?" 

Classes will run every Sunday afternoon from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM for the month of February. Each session we will cover a different topic, so attending every week is mandatory. 

If you have to miss a week, we will offer makeup sessions during the last week of February. If you have to miss more than a week, we will also offer the membership course again in October. 

3) "Can my spouse take the course for both of us?" 

No. Although Scripture tells us that a husband and wife become "one flesh" after they are married, each is also his or her own part of the Body of Christ, bringing individual stories, gifts, and weaknesses. With that said, married couples should still make the decision to become members together. 

For parents concerned about childcare, these sessions will be "kid-friendly" in the sense that they will be made up of some interactive elements. Also, we are in the process of trying to secure babysitting so that parents can be completely free to attend. 

4) "What if I haven't been baptized yet?"

This membership course is the best deal in town. First, we are offering it free of charge. Second, not only will those who complete the course qualify to become full voting members of United Life (pending baptism), this course also fulfills the education requirement that anybody interested in being baptized and/or confirmed must complete. They also simultaneously qualify to become official voting members of UPCS (pending baptism) and our denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA).  

In other words, anyone who finishes this course is eligible to be baptized as soon as possible, and, as soon as they are baptized, become members in full of UPCS, United Life, and the PCUSA. 

5) "What happens after I become a member?" 

One of the points of offering membership in a church is to empower individuals to take their part in helping the Body of Christ grow and mature in its relationship with God. Once a member of UPCS and United Life, you will be given the full right and responsibility to vote at our annual congregational meeting, be appointed to the office of deacon or elder, and serve on the various decision making bodies of our church. This is no small commitment, and should not be taken lightly. 

Hopefully this information was helpful to you. If you have questions that weren't covered here, please post them in the comment section of this page, or email me at benjamin.j.park@gmail.com.