Joining the Church

Joining the Church is always a matter of joining the local congregation. Joining the church is done through baptism. Those 15 years old or older joining the Church also go through confirmation.

The information given on the attached form (there is a link on the net to the form) is relayed to your local congregation within two work days. The church will contact you after this. Your membership is valid only once the congregation has confirmed the matter.

If you are not baptized

You can be baptied also as a youth or an adult. Before baptism teaching about baptism will be provided; often youth receive this teaching in connection with confirmation.
 
A person under 12 can be baptized if at least one of his parents or one of his guardians is a church member. For the baptism of a child 12-14 years of age his own written permission is required.
 
Contact your own congregation to ask about baptism or send in the Joining the Church form.

You've been baptized in another Christian church

Those previously baptized properly in another Christian church or fellowship do not need to be baptized again. They become members of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church through the necessary teaching and by confessing the Church's faith. This means becoming connected with the Church.
 
Becoming connected with the Church is done for eample in the church or in connection with the church at home. The pastor and the applicant will agree about the matter in more detail. You can contact your own congregation to ask for baptism or by sending in the Joining the Church form.

If you haven't been confirmed

Confirmation or corresponding teaching is also arranged for adults. Adult confirmation lasts about 20 hours. You can contact your own congregation to ask for confirmation or send in the Joining the Church form.

If you have attended confirmation clases but have not been confirmed

Confirmation can be arranged e.g. in connection with the confirmation of others. Contact your own congregation to arrange confirmation or send in the Joining the Church form.