Guidelines for: 1. Membership 2. Funerals 3. Weddings * [Revised and Approved by Session, Nov 2010]
1. MEMBERSHIP
1.1 Church Membership
1.1.1 Membership is opened to any baptized believer of Jesus Christ who accepts the faith as held by AGPC. She/He must be willing to support and participate in the services/ activities of the various ministries in the Church.
1.1.2 The church Session shall have the final authority to approve/disapprove an application for membership or restoration of membership.
1.1.3 A member may cease to be a member when any one of the following conditions arises: a. when she/he resigns from the church membership b. when she/he has prolonged her/his absence from the church, i.e. away from church for one year, as per the Constitution (Section 12.7) c. when she/he applies for a cessation of membership d. if the Session considers her/his conduct contrary to the discipline and interests of the church. General procedures for disciplinary actions against errant members are listed in the Constitution (Section 60) and should be adhered to closely.
1.1.4 Only members who are at least 16 years old and hold the membership are eligible: a. to nominate or vote at the church’s Elders and Deacons elections and the Minister’s election; b. to propose, second or vote at the General Meetings of the church.
1.1.5 The Register of members needs to be reviewed yearly. Inactive members (i.e. members with prolonged absence from the church for reasons other than overseas studies or job postings) will be requested to affirm their membership. Therefore 1.1.3b of this Guideline may apply.
1.1.6 For candidates intending to be transferred from another church to AGPC, all documentations (usually a letter from the former church) where possible must be completed first before the transfers are effected.
1.2 Believers Seeking Baptism
1.2.1 The church Session shall have the final authority to approve/disapprove an application for baptism, transfer-in or confirmation in AGPC.
1.2.2 Believers seeking Baptism/Transfer-In/Confirmation in AGPC must attend a 10- week Membership Class (MC) conducted by Rev Gan, who will recommend to the Session regarding the readiness and suitability of the candidates for baptism, transfer-in or confirmation. At the end of the Class, they will be introduced to the Session for a time of interaction and fellowship.
1.2.3 Any believer baptized in AGPC will become a communicant member.
1.2.4 Newly baptized members will be encouraged to attend the Path of Growth classes and/or Care Groups.
1.2.5 Newly baptized members will be encouraged to serve in at least one of the ministries of the church.
1.3 Infant/Child Baptism
1.3.1 An infant/child will be baptized only if both the parents are baptized AGPC members.
2. FUNERALS
2.1 Arrangements
2.1.1 Inform the Pastors or the Church Administrators immediately by calling 6442 3986 during office hours or any of the Elders.
2.1.2 Issuance of Death Certificate:
a. Death at hospital — A hospital doctor would have to certify the cause of death. Report to the nearest Police Station for the issuance of Death Certificate, bringing along the deceased’s NRIC which has to be surrendered to the police.
b. Death at home — A family/hospice doctor or GP has to be called upon to certify the cause of death. Report to the nearest Police Station for the issuance of Death Certificate, bringing along the deceased’s NRIC which has to be surrendered to the police.
2.1.3 Discuss the following matters with family members and/or the Church Pastors or Elders with regard to the following requirements:
a. Engagement of Bereavement Agency
b. Venue of Wake/Funeral Service
c. Burial or Cremation: For cremation, the family members must decide as soon as possible the location and time (usually allotted by the Crematorium based on availability). On the day after cremation, ashes have to be collected and stored in urn and put away in the reserved niche.
2.2 Wake / Funeral Service
2.2.1 The purpose is to console the family members of the deceased and to serve as a Christian witness to non-Christian relatives and friends.
2.2.2 Wake and Funeral Service will be conducted for deceased members, or deceased relatives of church members upon request by the living relatives.
2.2.3 The Pastors or Elders may conduct Wake/ Funeral service for all other cases with notice given to the Session, preferably before the conduct of the service.
2.2.4 The Pastors or Elders will liaise with the relevant bereaved family member regarding details of the Wake/Funeral Service
3. WEDDINGS
3.1 Procedures for Getting Married
3.1.1 Couples intending to be married should have prayerfully and seriously considered their decision and plans for marriage before the Lord.
3.1.2 The couple should arrange for the following, at least 12 months before the intended date of the wedding. a. Approach the Pastors for the arrangement of a 8-session premarital counselling, in which both the couple must attend. b. Apply through the Church Administrator for permission to use the Church premises. Please refer to the ‘Checklist for Use of Church Premises’ available in the Church Office for more details.
3.2 Application for the Registration of Marriage
3.2.1 The couple can either apply personally at the Registry of Marriages or online 3 months before their wedding date in order to file a Notice of Marriage.
3.2.2 The couple should visit www.rom.gov.sg for more details.
3.3 Wedding Ceremony in Church
3.3.1 The church Session shall have the final authority to approve/disapprove an application for marriage in AGPC.
3.3.2 The following MUST be adhered to, if you intend to hold your wedding in AGPC. a. Both of you must be baptized Christians and one of you must be a communicant member of AGPC for at least ONE year. b. Couples need to engage their own team of helpers including a worship leader, master of ceremony, decorators, musicians, cleaners etc. for the wedding ceremony and reception.
3.3.3 If the couple does not wish to continue attending and serving in AGPC after their wedding, or wishes to seek a transfer to another church, the Session is not obliged to allow the couple to marry in the church premises nor to conduct the wedding ceremony for the couple.
3.3.4 As per Synod Constitution Section 56.5, remarriage of divorced members shall not be held in church, unless the member concerned is the innocent party in a divorce.
3.3.5 Any couple who has registered with ROM or is known to be living together shall not be allowed to hold their wedding in church.