Organisation of the Church

Societies have organisation.  For example, large societies are organised in sections e.g. branches, or regions of the country or the world.  The Church is organised in dioceses, each under its Bishop as a successor to the Apostles.

Officers

Every society has officers.  In some societies the officers are perhaps a President, Secretary, Treasurer and so on.  The officers of the Church are the clergy – bishops, priests and deacons.

Proper way of joining

Every society has a proper way of joining.  This may just involve completing an application form and receiving a welcoming letter confirming membership.  In some societies there is a special ceremony at which a promise may be made.  If you have gone through the society’s way of joining you are a member; if you have not, then you are not a member.

It is Baptism and Confirmation together which form the proper way of joining the Church.  If you have not been baptised then you are not a member of the Church.  If you have been baptised you are a member, but you are not a full member until you have been confirmed.

Rules

Every society has rules.  For example, Girl Guides have their Guide Law which states, for example, that a Guide “respects all living things and takes care of the world around her”.  When a Guide makes a Promise in which she agrees to abide by the laws and values of Girlguiding it shows she has become part of the worldwide guiding family. (1)

The Church also has rules for its members.  There are, of course, the Ten Commandments, but there are other rules which we should try very hard to keep as well.  For example, we should be present at the Eucharist every Sunday unless we are prevented from doing so by illness.  We should give so much each week to help pay for the work of God in our own parish as well as abroad.  If you are confirmed you should make your Communion three times a year at the very least, including Easter, though actually we make our Communion much more often than that.