Dear Friends in Christ,
What Being a Member of Our Church Means
Membership at Salem means, FIRST OF ALL, that one has opportunities to live out God's calling to the Christian life in the fellowship of a Congregation. These include the opportunity to:
WORSHIP at one of the many services our Church provides for believers to gather and praise God, pray to Him, hear His Word, and celebrate the Sacraments as He has commanded.
Members, who believe in Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord, will want to attend Church faithfully unless illness, advanced age, emergency, or special circumstances prevent them from doing so. We are reminded in the Scriptures, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25).
People whose occupation requires them to work on Sundays are reminded that we do have services on Saturday evenings at 5:30 PM and also on Monday evenings at 7:00 PM. During advent and Lent, special services are held on Wednesdays at both 4:00 and 7:00 PM. People whose occupation requires them to work on Sundays are encouraged to ask their employer to, if possible, plan their schedule in such a way that they can worship our Lord, the Head of the Church, at least every other week.
LEARN through the wide array of educational programs Salem offers, from our fully accredited Lutheran Elementary School, Lutheran High School, to Sunday School and Bible Classes for all ages, to Confirmation instruction, to Cana Classes preceding weddings. We encourage all members to participate because every Christian needs to grow spiritually. These opportunities are available to non-members, as well.
SERVE by using their time and talents with which God has blessed
them to glorify God and to build and extend His Church. Christians
are called "not to be served, but to serve." Jesus said, "Whoever
wants to be great among you must be servant of all" (Matthew
20: 27-28). Our church offers many opportunities for service
already. We are willing to assist members in discovering where
they might best serve or where there is a need in ministry.
An interview with Salem's
Pastors and DCO, conducted by Lindenwood University
Benefits
Church membership means SECONDLY, that the Church will provide certain benefits and privileges that are not automatically or routinely available to non-members. These include:
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WEDDINGS in our sanctuary and with the services of our pastors and other staff members.
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BAPTISMS for the children of members.
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FUNERALS for members or their immediate family.
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PASTORAL COUNSELING in times of crisis or personal need.
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VISITATION while hospitalized or homebound.
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ENROLLMENT of member's children in our Lutheran Elementary or Lutheran High Schools.
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HOLY COMMUNION as practiced by The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod.
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FELLOWSHIP through various organizations and activities.
Obligations
Being a Church member means, THIRDLY, certain obligations to the Church on the part of our members. These include the necessity to:
PRAY for and support the pastors and other staff members and speak well of them to others (both fellow members and people outside the congregation). Also pray for the members of our congregation and for others that they be brought to faith in Jesus Christ.
SUPPORT the mission of the Church financially with regular and sacrificial offerings. The Biblical practice of tithing (giving a percentage of income) is strongly encouraged. Those who are richly blessed materially and those who benefit from the programs of the church especially need to be generous.
GIVE time and abilities to share in doing the many tasks that are necessary for the continuation of the congregation's ministry. God has given each person special abilities that our congregation needs. This may include serving on a board or committee, helping out with one of the many programs of the Church, or even assisting with maintenance of the buildings and grounds.
We thank our Lord, the Head of the Church, that He has called and gathered us together in His Church here at Salem. May He continue to bless our ministry to His glory and for the welfare of God's Redeemed People.
Much peace and joy in Christ,
Andrew J. Spallek - Senior Pastor
Robert T. Briggs - Associate Pastor
Alger J. Tormoehlen - Emeritus Pastor
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