Becoming a Member
New Member Gatherings
Shepherd of the Prairie has New Member Gatherings four times a year. These gatherings are for all prospective members, including those who transfer. New Member Gatherings are informal and informational, giving you a chance to learn about the history of SOTP, what we believe, what service opportunities are available and what is expected of our members. New members are then welcomed into the church the following Sunday during the worship services. Interested in attending the next New Member Gathering? Please click below to let us know you’ll be there.
Click here to register for the next NewMember Gathering.
Shepherd of the Prairie New Member Form
People are received into membership at Shepherd of the Prairie by variety of ways including:
Baptism (Infant)
An individual becomes a member of the congregation the day they are baptized. If the immediate family members hold membership in another congregation, the child’s membership should be transferred to that congregation. If a child, whose parents or guardians are members of SOTP, was baptized in another congregation, request transfer of the child’s membership from that congregation.
If the child was baptized in an emergency situation, the date of that baptism is entered into the parish register. Traditionally Congregational records include the following information related to Baptisms:
- Name and birth date of the child
- Names of parents, including the maiden name of the mother
- Names of sponsors
- Date of Baptism
- Name of the presiding minister
Baptism (Adult)
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is administered to adults following a period of instruction in the Christian faith. In the case of adults, the date of Baptism is recorded in the Congregational records under both “baptism” and “confirmation,” as the newly baptized adult becomes simultaneously a confirmed and voting member of the congregation. Affirmation of Baptism (Confirmation) Confirmed members of the congregation are baptized persons who have publicly affirmed their baptismal covenant, following a period of instruction, and upon the approval of the Congregation Council. Such instruction includes information about what it means to become a member of a Lutheran congregation. Confirmed members also are those who have been received by adult baptism (see above), “or by transfer as confirmed members from other congregations, or baptized persons received by affirmation of faith”. Upon affirmation of baptism, the person also becomes a voting
member of the congregation. The date entered into the Congregation records is the date on which the person publicly reaffirms the vows of baptism in the presence of the congregation, or the date on which the person was approved for membership by the Congregation Council in the event no public service was conducted.
Transfer
When a person holding membership in another congregation seeks to become a member of SOTP, that person should contact the church office. The Director of Connection Ministries will contact the prior congregation to request a transfer. To assist with the transfer request, the following information is needed:
- Name of former congregation)
- City and State of former congregation
The date entered into the parish register is normally the date on which the person is received publicly into the congregation through the New Member Welcome Gathering.