If you are considering membership at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, we would be very pleased to have you enjoy our family of faith. Joining a local congregation is perhaps the most important decision you will ever make. We believe that joining a church and committing yourself to the life and ministry of a local congregation is the best thing you can do for your own personal growth in faith. It is also the best way you can live out your commitment to Christ and the growth of His kingdom.

We do not believe in “the hard sell” to get anyone to join Holy Cross, but we do invite you to pray about that possibility. We trust that the Holy Spirit will lead you to a new church home as you look to Him for guidance.

If you choose to join our Holy Cross family, we would be most pleased and excited. We will do everything we possibly can to help your relationship with Christ and the church grow and mature. We want to help you on your walk with Christ. We also hope that you will help us in our walk with Christ. Christ's church is here to help and encourage one another and to spread His love to the world.

We assume that you will make a total commitment to the life of our church family. To help you understand what our life together means, we ask that all prospective members follow this procedure:

1. Indicate your interest in joining by completing the Pew Register and checking the box "Interested in Membership" Or speak with one of our pastors. He will arrange a visit with you.
   Or you may attend a “Welcome Night” scheduled several times throughout the year, to provide a setting to discover the benefits of membership & involvement here at Holy Cross.
2. Enroll in a Bible Class .
   "The Basics of the Christian Faith: Christianity 101" is a required Bible Study for new Christians or people unfamiliar with the Lutheran Church. If you enroll in the Bible Study Series entitled "Divine Drama," that is a study that is even MORE comprehensive than "The Basics of the Christian Faith ". It is a series that may lead to church membership. Those who join by transfer of membership from another Lutheran congregation are also encouraged to attend "The Basics of the Christian Faith: Christianity 101." It is an excellent review of basic Christian doctrine and helps in our witness to Christ and the defense of the faith. All members of Holy Cross are encouraged to be in regular study of God's Word. We can be the best witnesses for Christ, and the most supportive and helpful to one another if we are actively involved in Bible Study.
3. Complete a "Membership Application" form indicating your desire to be a part of our Holy Cross family of faith.
4. Participate in "New Member Sunday" in which you will be publicly received into membership at Holy Cross. "New Member Sunday" (including "New Member Orientation") is held periodically throughout the year. You will be notified of the next "New Member Sunday."

We have two designations for our members. If you are high school age or older, you will become a "Communicant" member of Holy Cross by taking "The Basics of the Christian Faith: Christianity 101." Children who have been baptized into the Christian faith will be considered "Baptized" members. Students in 7th & 8th grades prepare for communicant membership by completing a program of confirmation instruction.

You can join Holy Cross four ways:

Baptism
If you have never been baptized, this is where your membership begins. Baptism is God's means of receiving you into the family of faith, receiving His forgiveness and assurance of eternal life. Please speak with Pastor Sattler about the importance of baptism for you or your children and how to arrange for baptism. A period of instruction usually precedes baptism for adults and older children. Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized, shall be saved." Mark 16:16

Click for a Baptism Application Form (PDF: 36 KB)
Click for an Article about Baptism (PDF: 74 KB)
Questions & Answers about Baptism

Confirmation
After a period of instruction in the basics of the Christian faith you may be received into communicant membership by the rite of confirmation. For adults and older children we offer "The Basics of the Christian Faith: Christianity 101" several times a year. This is required for those who hold no church membership or come from a non-Lutheran congregation. Children in 7th and 8th grade prepare for the rite of confirmation by attending two years of weekly instruction. More about Junior Confirmation

Profession Of Faith
If you have held Lutheran Church membership in the past, but have been away from the church for a period of time, or are transferring from another Lutheran synod, you would be received by profession of faith. "The Basics of the Christian Faith: Christianity 101" is encouraged for all new members, but especially for those received by profession of faith.

Transfer Of Membership
If you currently hold church membership in a sister Missouri Synod Lutheran congregation, you may transfer your membership to Holy Cross by contacting your home congregation indicating your desire to transfer. They will notify us of your release of membership. As with all new members, we encourage attendance at “The Basics of the Christian Faith: Christianity 101”.

 Back To What We Believe