First steps

What Are Church Membership Classes?

Church membership classes are a short, friendly course a church offers to help you get to know what they believe, how they live, and what belonging there involves, before you decide to join. They are usually a few relaxed sessions with a pastor or leader, and they are a normal, low pressure way for a new believer to find a home and put down roots.

What they are for

Belonging to a church is meant to be a real, mutual commitment, so many churches offer a short class so you can look before you leap. It is a chance to ask questions and make sure it is a good fit, both ways.

What to expect

• Their beliefs. What the church holds about Jesus, the Bible, and the core of the faith.
• Their story and life. How the church began, how it worships, and how people belong.
• What membership means. What the church commits to you, and what you would commit to it.
• Your questions. A relaxed setting to ask anything before deciding.

They are not an exam and not a hard sell. If you are new to faith, a membership class is one of the gentlest ways to find people who will walk with you for the long haul.

Frequently asked questions

What are church membership classes?

A short, friendly course, often a few sessions with a pastor, where you learn a church's beliefs, story, and life, and what belonging there involves, before you decide to join. They are a normal, low pressure step, not an exam.

Do I have to take a class to belong?

It varies by church. Many offer a membership class as a helpful way to get acquainted; others welcome you more informally. Either way, the aim is real belonging, as Acts 2:42 and Hebrews 10:25 describe.

Are membership classes only for new believers?

No. Anyone considering joining a church can take one, whether brand new to faith or moving from another congregation. They simply help you and the church get to know each other well.