How to Join
Who Our Members Are
St. Giles, as an E.C.O. church, calls members “Covenant Partners.” Our new denominational name helps us understand who a Covenant Partner is. As Evangelicals we hold to a high view of scripture and we welcome any and all to faith in Jesus. That simple faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord is the one “qualification” for joining.
Covenant and Order also identify us. We’re not just casually related as members, we’re in covenant with each other to follow Jesus and join his mission in the world. We also seek to order our lives together in ways that help us grow in our faith and service.
Covenant and Order also identify us. We’re not just casually related as members, we’re in covenant with each other to follow Jesus and join his mission in the world. We also seek to order our lives together in ways that help us grow in our faith and service.
The Joining Process
When people join St. Giles they are affirming as new believers, or reaffirming as continuing believers, that they believe God would have them follow Jesus in partnership with this particular group of disciples. Here are the details of what happens:
- You’ll meet with the Pastor. If there are several people interested at once, we’ll schedule a class. But if there are only a few at once, we’ll visit in person. This lets the pastor learn from you how the Lord brought you to this point, and for you to ask any questions you may have about St. Giles life.
- You’ll meet with the Elders, where you’ll be asked to tell them how you came to trust in Jesus as your Savior and Lord.
- You’ll stand in worship and state your faith by affirming the baptismal vows. If you’ve not been baptized, then you would be at that time.
- You’ll meet with the Pastor. If there are several people interested at once, we’ll schedule a class. But if there are only a few at once, we’ll visit in person. This lets the pastor learn from you how the Lord brought you to this point, and for you to ask any questions you may have about St. Giles life.
- You’ll meet with the Elders, where you’ll be asked to tell them how you came to trust in Jesus as your Savior and Lord.
- You’ll stand in worship and state your faith by affirming the baptismal vows. If you’ve not been baptized, then you would be at that time.
A Final Word
People come to St. Giles for many reasons. Some are seekers, trying to understand who Christ and Christians are. Some are believers in Jesus, and are seeking the right church home. Sometimes people decide right away that they want to join. Others join in parts of the church’s life without ever really joining – for any number of reasons. We are happy to have company with those who are here, in whatever pattern.
When people are ready to join, they are saying that they believe that the Christian life is best lived in partnership, and that St. Giles is the part of God’s larger church with which they want to live in covenant relationship.
Does this answer all of your questions? If not, let us know, and we’ll find the answers.
When people are ready to join, they are saying that they believe that the Christian life is best lived in partnership, and that St. Giles is the part of God’s larger church with which they want to live in covenant relationship.
Does this answer all of your questions? If not, let us know, and we’ll find the answers.