Becoming a Member
by Rev. Reingard Knausenberger
'HE is the head of the body, and His body is the great Community of congregations.' Colossians 1,18
Religious experience is at the same time spiritual experience. Like the relationship to another human being is cultivated and deepened through regular conversations and meetings, in the same way religious life cultivates a relationship with God and in particular in Christianity, with the God of Man. This we call prayer. Prayer, too, can be learnt. It is more a question of decision and perseverance than of ability. Even the simplest, shortest conversation establishes a connection with the one addressed.
In praying the Lord's Prayer a relationship develops to all other persons who speak this prayer. A spiritual family, a community formed from the heart develops which is much larger than any denomination or group. In this way the community of Christ arises, a community of which He is the head and where all who pray the Lord's Prayer feel united as members of His body.
Christianity always forms community, spiritual religious community open and inclusive of all who seek a relationship to Christ. The meaning and purpose of Christianity is to bring spirit reality into earthly reality with the forces that were created through Christ's deed on Golgotha, transforming the earth into a higher evolved state. Therefore the universal spiritual community of Christians will make itself visible in congregations that come together around an earthly altar, uniting to serve “the Fulfiller of the heavenly forces on earth'.
In coming to know the sacramental life of a community and living with it for a period of time, enough to experience The Act of Consecration of Man as a spiritual and religious home, one has grown through participation and experiencing into membership. This kind of membership relates to a striving within the community to be open and inclusive towards all who chose to come and be there to pray together. The name ‘The Christian Community’ expresses this high goal, recognising that everyone who actively seeks a relationship with Christ is connected with all other true Christians, known and unknown, in a universal spiritual community.
When one awakens to the fact that by sharing in the life of a specific community one is no longer an onlooker or a guest, especially when participating in holy communion, or receiving another sacrament like having a child baptised or confirmed, or getting married, then the membership which has lived in the will, can be lifted into a higher state of consciousness. Through participation in the sacraments one has already become a carrier for the substance of the Christ-community. Yet to know this and to consciously want and nurture this as a step of free commitment to which one decides to bind oneself, brings another quality towards the sacraments and the community. This free decision, when expressed and shared in conversations with a priest, is the taking on of a spiritual and physical responsibility. The priest will acknowledged this step for the community and stand as a witness to it before God at the altar.
'HE is the head of the body, and His body is the great Community of congregations.' Colossians 1,18
Religious experience is at the same time spiritual experience. Like the relationship to another human being is cultivated and deepened through regular conversations and meetings, in the same way religious life cultivates a relationship with God and in particular in Christianity, with the God of Man. This we call prayer. Prayer, too, can be learnt. It is more a question of decision and perseverance than of ability. Even the simplest, shortest conversation establishes a connection with the one addressed.
In praying the Lord's Prayer a relationship develops to all other persons who speak this prayer. A spiritual family, a community formed from the heart develops which is much larger than any denomination or group. In this way the community of Christ arises, a community of which He is the head and where all who pray the Lord's Prayer feel united as members of His body.
Christianity always forms community, spiritual religious community open and inclusive of all who seek a relationship to Christ. The meaning and purpose of Christianity is to bring spirit reality into earthly reality with the forces that were created through Christ's deed on Golgotha, transforming the earth into a higher evolved state. Therefore the universal spiritual community of Christians will make itself visible in congregations that come together around an earthly altar, uniting to serve “the Fulfiller of the heavenly forces on earth'.
In coming to know the sacramental life of a community and living with it for a period of time, enough to experience The Act of Consecration of Man as a spiritual and religious home, one has grown through participation and experiencing into membership. This kind of membership relates to a striving within the community to be open and inclusive towards all who chose to come and be there to pray together. The name ‘The Christian Community’ expresses this high goal, recognising that everyone who actively seeks a relationship with Christ is connected with all other true Christians, known and unknown, in a universal spiritual community.
When one awakens to the fact that by sharing in the life of a specific community one is no longer an onlooker or a guest, especially when participating in holy communion, or receiving another sacrament like having a child baptised or confirmed, or getting married, then the membership which has lived in the will, can be lifted into a higher state of consciousness. Through participation in the sacraments one has already become a carrier for the substance of the Christ-community. Yet to know this and to consciously want and nurture this as a step of free commitment to which one decides to bind oneself, brings another quality towards the sacraments and the community. This free decision, when expressed and shared in conversations with a priest, is the taking on of a spiritual and physical responsibility. The priest will acknowledged this step for the community and stand as a witness to it before God at the altar.
When one who has come to know and to recognise The Christian Community and its services as one’s spiritual and religious home one can take the step of preparing for membership. This is done by arranging a series of talks with the priest who will then receive the new member into the Community. By sharing in the life of the Community through taking part in the Act of Consecration of Man, getting married or having children baptised in it, one is no longer a mere guest or friend. For ‘now I take part in what we do; I am no longer an onlooker.’ In conversation with the priest a clear understanding can be reached of one’s relationship to the Community. In peace and clarity the step is made of becoming a member, in the knowledge that out of this free decision the relationship can grow and deepen. If felt appropriate the words of the Sacramental Consultation may be heard on becoming a member. A copy of the Creed is received for personal use. The Creed and the Lord’s Prayer give the inner foundation and strength needed to become a carrier and a fulfiller of the sacraments together with others. Recognition of the healing effect of these sacraments in one’s life and relationships is the social aspect of membership. Being a member implies an inner connection to the life of the Community; the aim of membership is to participate in creating communities in and through which Christ can work. Christ used the image ‘the salt of the earth’ for his followers. This makes clear that membership is not primarily about the satisfaction of my own religious needs. On the contrary, members will want to support the Community in all its aspects: spiritual, social and economic. Rev. Louise Madsen, UK