What is the Membership and Visitors Ministry?
The Membership and Visitor Ministry (MVM) is a ministry team that plans programs and activities not only to invite visitors to join the Salisbury Presbyterian Church (SPC), but also to encourage current members to be active in the life and ministry of the church. From contacting new visitors and coordinating “Friendly Faces” for new members, to sponsoring the biannual progressive “Salt Shakers” dinner, MVM keeps our church membership thriving.
Do you have to be a member to participate in events?
Not at all. Everyone is welcome at SPC events. As a member of SPC, you are not just a visiting friend, you are a treasured part of our family. Also, as a member you may have access to more current and timely information by being included in all emails, notices and publications of all ministries and happenings.
Do you have to be a member to take Communion?
You do not have to be a member of SPC to share Communion. All who know Jesus as their Savior are welcomed at the Lord’s Table. And so that everyone feels welcome at the Lord’s Table, SPC makes efforts to accommodate dietary needs, including gluten-free and corn-free crackers instead of wheat bread as well as water as an alternative to grape juice.
Why should I become a member?
Dr. Dan Wiard, former Director of Christian Education and Discipleship at SPC, shares his thoughts on this important question:
Presbyterians [people of the reformed tradition] always understand that faith is to be lived out among a diverse community of people. We cannot separate our salvation from the struggles of our brothers and sisters in faith. Christianity is not an enterprise of rugged individualists. We believe we need one another to live out the faith. We need a community of diverse people willing to engage scripture and one another in searching for God’s will in our communal lives. We believe community is essential in witnessing to God’s kingdom/reign/dream/commonwealth/reality. In a culture that values and promotes the individual person, it is not easy to find and live in community, but that is who we are. (Being Presbyterian in the Bible Belt, Foote and Thornburg, Geneva Press, 2000, p. 79)
“At Salisbury Presbyterian Church, community is an important part of who we are. We are called to follow Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. In response to this call, we proclaim the Good News of the Gospel as disciples of Jesus in a community of believers: the Church. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:12 that we are already a body. ‘The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts….’ Each part is integrally important; to stand alone is to weaken that to which God intended.
We want our members to see themselves as disciples, to be actively engaged in the life and ministry of the church, to use his or her individual gifts to build the Body of Christ, and to celebrate God’s trans-formative love. We know we are imperfect, but what a journey we can walk together as members—disciples—of Jesus Christ as we seek to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with God! (Micah 6:8)”
How do I join?
If you are interested in exploring membership at SPC or you have decided to become a member, please complete the Membership Form and submit it to the church office by mail, fax, or email (info@thesalisburychurch.org). If you would like to receive a paper copy of the form, please stop by or call the church office and forms will be provided.
Once you submit your form, you will receive information about the life of the church, upcoming events, and membership Sunday dates. You will also be contacted by the pastor, a staff member, and/or a member of the MVM.