A St. Stephen’s member is any person who has a living relationship with God through Jesus Christ and who has chosen of and for his/herself, or if only a child, through his/her family, to be committed to the Christian community of St. Stephen’s as an expression of his/her love for and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Body. In the case of a child this choice would be through his / her parents or guardian.
St. Stephen’s has chosen not to set up any formal recognition of membership, on the grounds that this creates an unnecessary distinction among those who associate with the community of God’s people in St. Stephen’s Church. It is indeed our desire that all who are drawn to worship with us should become members in the above sense. However, we believe that it is more helpful that this should be expressed through active services and growing participations in the life of our Christian community, rather than by some such formality as signing a card.
For the purpose of voting at a Vestry Meeting, members will be as defined in Canon 26 of the Diocese of Montreal.
The Anglican Church of Canada describes membership as follows:
“Communicants in the Anglican Church of Canada in the Diocese of Montreal are those who regularly receive Holy Communion according to the rites of the Anglican Church of Canada, and otherwise participate in its worship, fellowship and financial support.”
If you can state the following, then you are a voting member of this Church:
“I declare that I am of the full age of at least 16 years, and have been for at least six months prior to this meeting a communicant of the Anglican Church of Canada in the Diocese of Montreal within the congregation of St.Stephen’s Church, Westmount, according to Canon XXVI, Article 1, of the Diocese of Montreal.”
St. Stephen’s Members Active in Ministry As Helpers or Leaders
All St. Stephen’s members who are active in ministry – as helpers or leaders – are expected to life a life that is consistent with the love and holiness required in Scripture of those who are called to be examples to the flock of Christ.
A St. Stephen’s member who is asked to take on a specific leadership responsibility should have been baptized prior to taking that responsibility. (Being involved in preparation for baptism shall be deemed an adequate preparation for leadership, at the discretion of the Incumbent.) All persons taking on either helping or leadership responsibility are asked to give prayerful consideration to the following affirmation. Only if then can make this affirmation in all good conscience, will they be asked to take on the task in question:
” I trust in Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour, and by His grace, I am committed to living in obedience to Him as Lord, both within the fellowship of his church and in the world, in accordance wit the teaching of Holy Scripture.
I understand that any person carrying any of the above ministry responsibilities within St. Stephen’s, who acts in a way that is contrary to the Biblical standard of love, truthfulness, holiness and sexual purity required of those who are called to be examples to the flock of Christ, will normally be expected to resign his/her ministry or leadership responsibility.”
See also: The Montreal [1994] Declaration of Anglican Essentials:
The Triune God
There is ONE God, self revealed as three persons; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier
God in love, purposed to restore cosmic order through the calling of the covenant people Israel, the coming of Jesus Christ to redeem, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
The Word Made Flesh
Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, sinless in life, raised bodily from the dead, and now reigning in glory though still present with His people through the Holy Spirit, is both the Jesus of history and the Christ of Scripture.
The Only Saviour
From guilt, shame, power and path of sin, Jesus Christ is the only Saviour; penitent faith in him is the only way of Salvation.
The Spirit of Life
The Holy Spirit, sent to the church at Pentecost, discloses the glory of Jesus, convicts of sin, and empowers for service.
The Authority of the Bible
The canonical Scripture of the Old and New Testaments are God’s Word, written, inspired and authoritative, true and trustworthy, coherent, sufficient for salvation.
The Church of God
The supernatural society called the Church is the family of God, the Body of Christ and the temple of the Holy Spirit. It is the community of believers, justified through faith in Christ.
New Life in Christ
Sin has alienated us from God. As atonement and justification restore us to fellowship with Him by pardoning sin, so regeneration and sanctification renew us in the likeness of Christ by overcoming sin.
The Church’s Ministry
The Holy Spirit bestows distinctive gifts upon all Christians for the purpose of glorifying God and building up His Church in truth and love.
The Church’s Worship
The primary calling of the Church is to worship God in spirit and truth.
The Priority of Evangelism
Evangelism means proclaiming Jesus Christ as Saviour, Lord and Friend, in a way that invites people to come to God through Him.
The Challenge of Global Mission
Jesus’ Great Commission to preach the Gospel worldwide still applies. The message of salvation must be proclaimed energetically but with sensitivity and in love.
The Challenge of Social Action
Social Action is an integral part of our obedience to the gospel. We are called to be ‘salt and light’ in the world.
The Standards of Sexual Conduct
God designed human sexuality not only for procreation but also for the joyful expression of love, honour and fidelity between husband and wife. Adultery, fornication and homosexual unions are intimacies contrary to God’s design.
The Family and Singleness
The family is a divinely ordained focus of love, intimacy, stability and personal growth for children and mother and father. Singleness is also a gift from God and a holy vocation.