Becoming a Member

Becoming a member of a church does not assure anyone of salvation; only the grace of Jesus Christ can save us. However, the Bible does tell us to meet regularly together to encourage each other and to help us grow in our faith. Our members also work together to spread the gospel message and provide services to our community.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV)

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5, KJV)

Become a Member

There are three different ways you can become a member of Patterson Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church (PASDAC):

Membership Transfer

If you are a member in good standing of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in another location and want to transfer your membership to PASDAC, you may do so by contacting the Church Clerk. The clerk will help you fill out an application for transfer of membership and begin the transfer process from your previous church. Upon receipt of the necessary letter from your previous church, PASDAC will print a notice of Membership Transfer in our church bulletin and the church will vote to accept your transfer.

Profession of Faith

If you have already been baptized by immersion in another Christian denomination, you may become a member of PASDAC by a simple declaration of your personal faith in Jesus Christ, and your desire to become an active member of PASDAC. You may begin that process by calling the Church Clerk. The clerk will help you fill out a church membership application and set up an appointment with the pastor. When the necessary paperwork has been completed, PASDAC will print a notice of your Profession of Faith in our church bulletin and the church will vote to accept your profession.

Baptism

“Peter replied, ‘Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.’” (Acts 2:38, 39 NLT).

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:19 NIV)

Baptism is a public profession of your faith in Jesus Christ. Seventh-day Adventists believe in baptism by immersion. This means that you will be completely submerged under the water for a very brief period. Baptism by immersion follows the example of Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist. (Matthew 3:13-17) Going under the water symbolizes dying to your former life of sin. Rising up out of the water symbolizes your resurrection to a new life in Jesus.

If you are interested in baptism, please speak to our pastor about your desire. He will be happy to connect you with someone that will lead you through a Bible study covering the fundamental beliefs of our church. When you have completed this study, a date will be scheduled for your baptism. At the beginning of the baptismal ceremony, you will publicly state your acceptance of the Biblical truths presented in your study and your commitment to keeping those beliefs. The church will then vote to accept you into membership.

By becoming a member of the Patterson Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church, you are pledging to uphold the Biblical beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and support the church through the giving of your time, talents, tithe, and offerings in service to our Lord. Welcoming new members brings great joy to our church. We look forward to having you join us.