Transfer
If you are a Baptized and/or Comminicant member of a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregation and have been worshipping at Salem ask the Pastor of your home congregation for a “Letter of Transfer.” You will also be asked to complete an “Application for Membership.“
Once the “Letter of Transfer” and the “Application for Membership“ have been received by Salem Lutheran Church the Pastor(s) of Salem will ask Salem's Board of Elders to approve your Transfer. Upon the approval of that Transfer you will be formally received into the congregation (usually in a Sunday morning worship service).
Some Recent New Members
Profession of Faith
If you are a Baptized and/or Comminicant member of a Christian congregation that is currently not in Fellowhip with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod or if you currently do not hold membership in a congregation and you have been worshipping at Salem ask the Pastor of your home congregation for a “Release of Membership,” or let the Pastor(s) of Salem know that you wish to join Salem. You will also be asked to complete an “Application for Membership.“
Once the “Release of Membership” and/or the “Application for Membership“ have been received by Salem Lutheran Church and you have had conversation with Salem's Pastor(s) regarding your intent to join Salem our Pastor(s) must be convinced that you have sufficient understanding of Lutheran doctrine. The Pastor(s) of Salem will then ask Salem's Board of Elders to approve your “Membership by Profession of Faith.” Upon the approval of that “Profession of Faith” you will be formally received into the congregation (usually in a Sunday morning worship service).
Confirmation
“Confirmed Membership“ is bestowed on those baptized persons who have received instruction from the Pastor(s) of Salem Lutheran in the basics of the Christian faith using the Bible and Luther's Small Catechism. Confirmed membership entitles you to participate in the Lord's Supper.
Junior Confirmation instruction, conducted by the pastor(s), is for children in the 7th and 8th grades. This 2 year instruction, using Luther's Small Catechism, covers the “Six Chief Parts,“ namely: the 10 Commandments, the Apostles Creed, the Lord's Prayer, Baptism, the Lord's Supper, and the Office of the Keys. Students in Salem Lutheran School receive their instruction in 7th & 8th grade in the classroom. 7th & 8th graders not enrolled in Salem Lutheran School receive their instruction by the Pastor(s) on Wednesday evenings (6:00 - 7:00 PM) during the school year. After the 2 years of study Junior Confirmands are Confirmed as a class on the first Sunday in May in the 10:30 AM worship service.
2007 Confirmands
Adult Confirmation instruction, conducted by the Pastor(s), is for teens and adults. The same course of study that the Juniors receive is offered in aproximately twelve 1-1 1/2 hour sessions in a “New Member Class.“ A “New Member Class“ is convened when sufficient numbers of people indicate an interest in this class. It is usually offered once or twice per year on a day and time that is most convenient for the students. After completion of the class, the Adult Confirmands are Confirmed in a Sunday morning worship service.
Voting
Confirmed (Communicant) members, 18 years of age and older, of Salem Lutheran Church become voting members by signing a postcard (indicating they have received and read a copy of Salem's Constitution and By-Laws). This signed postcard must be received in the church office at least 30 days before a Voters' meeting in order for that person to vote in that Voters' meeting or to participate in voting for Elders and Deacons.
(Only male, voting members, are eligible to serve as Elders or Deacons.)