6. Joining a Local Church

(choose one of the following bulleted workouts)

  • RealLife Plus Seminar
    1. Attend RealLife Plus Seminar.
    2. Complete instructor’s workout.
    3. Discuss with an Equipping Partner.
  • New Member's Class at a Church
    1. Participate fully in a multi-session new member’s class at a local church in the Boston area.
    2. Compose a brief summary sheet in which you answer each of the following questions according to the understanding of the particular church where you took the class:
      1. What is the church?
      2. How does the church distinguish itself theologically?
      3. Who leads the church?
      4. How does the church make decisions?
      5. What are the nature and purpose of a sermon?
      6. How does the church understand Baptism and the Lord’s Supper?
      7. Who can join and how?
      8. How do particular congregations relate to other congregations (inside and outside its denomination or association)?
      9. What is the church’s mission? (Be sure to get these answers in the class, or else call a pastor or leader in the church.)
    3. Share your summary sheet with an Equipping Partner, discuss your own views of these same questions, and share your thoughts and plans regarding your church membership.
  • Compare 3 different churches
    1. Go to the websites of three major denominations or national church associations, and read what you can find there about the church’s theology, history, nature, mission, etc.
    2. Attend worship at three, local, Boston churches belonging to each of these different bodies.
    3. For each body write a summary paragraph comparing and contrasting it to the other two.
    4. Make an appointment to visit (or talk by telephone) with a pastor (if possible, or other leader) of the church that you favor. Taking notes, get answers to the following questions:
      1. What is the church?
      2. How does the church distinguish itself theologically?
      3. Who leads the church?
      4. How does the church make decisions?
      5. What are the nature and purpose of a sermon?
      6. How does the church understand Baptism and the Lord’s Supper?
      7. Who can join and how?
      8. How do particular congregations relate to other congregations (inside and outside its denomination or association)?
      9. What is the church’s mission? (Be sure to get these answers in the class, or else call a pastor or leader in the church.)
    5. Write up your answers in a summary sheet.
    6. Share your summary sheet with an Equipping Partner, discuss your own views of these same questions, and share your thoughts and plans regarding your church membership.