Frequently Asked Questions

We at Prince of Peace are glad that you have chosen to explore who we are through our website. 

Prince of Peace (PoP) is a Christian community that is committed to the transformation of lives through Jesus Christ.  We pray that, as our lives are changed to reflect the love of Jesus Christ, it will transform each one of our relationships and eventually, our entire community.  We are eager to serve you. 

Some commonly asked questions and their answers are addressed in this section.  The questions address our beliefs about Jesus and our mission and vision for the ministry God has given us in Northern Virginia.  We address church membership in general and membership at Prince of Peace in particular. The questions also cover how to initiate contact and what to expect in situations where pastoral help or special services are needed.  If you have additional questions that you wish to explore, please call the Church office (703-451-5855) and one of the Administrative Assistants will help you or put you in contact with one of the pastors.  You can also email (info@poplc.org) us if it is not convenient to call the Church office, however, emails are only read during Church office hours.

It is our hope that this information will also serve as a tool to share the blessings of PoP’s church family with your friends who may not be connected with Jesus.

Questions about Prince of Peace and membership:
1. What is a church? 
2. What is Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and School? 
3. What is Prince of Peace's Mission?
4. What is the vision of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church?
5. What is church membership?
6. How does one become a member of Prince of Peace?
7. What specifically are some of the commitments related to church membership?

Questions about the need for a Pastor or other services:

8. What do I need to do to schedule a Baptism at Prince of Peace?

9. If I want to talk with a Pastor or receive Pastoral counseling, what should I do?

10. If we would like to plan a wedding at Prince of Peace, what do we do?

11. What should I do if I, or someone I love, goes to the hospital or is scheduled for a surgery?

12. What if we have just had a new baby or a C-section is scheduled?

13. How do I contact a pastor in an emergency situation?

14. What if there is a death in my family?

1. What is a church?

- The word “church” is used in a number of ways. It may be a reference to a building or to the people who gather there every Sunday. It may also refer to a denominational group such as Methodists, Catholics, Baptists, etc. For our purposes, we understand the church to be those Christians who gather for worship and spiritual nurture around the Bible and the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion (1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 2:42; 1 Peter 2:9). 

2. What is Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and School?

- Historically, Prince of Peace was organized in 1962, with a Christian pre-school formed in 1969. Prince of Peace has a membership of 1,250 members and preschool enrollment of 300 students; we average nearly 600 people in worship each weekend in our three worship services. 
- As to our beliefs, we are Lutheran Christians.  The Lutheran church is a worldwide communion of Christians whose mission is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people. We believe that God graciously forgives us and offers us new life through the death and resurrection of His Son. We are fully committed to serving our Lord and our community in the name of Jesus, the Christ.
- Lutherans also believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God and the only reliable source and standard for what we know about God. The most important teaching of the Bible is the salvation of the sinner by grace through faith in Jesus Christ who died and rose again as our substitute.
- Prince of Peace is a part of the 11th largest denomination in America called the “Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod” which numbers over 2.6 million members. The word “Synod” means “walking together.” This is exactly what we as a denomination strive to do as together we believe, teach and profess the same things about Jesus Christ and work together on various projects which we could not do alone as single congregations.   

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3. What is PoP’s Mission?

- Our mission is the same Mission Jesus gave his disciples:  “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, by baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and by teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

4. What is the vision of Prince of Peace?

- Our vision can be summed up in this statement:  “All People Transformed to live and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” 
- We are a dynamic Christian community called to creatively CELEBRATE the Love of God; GATHERING, NURTURING, DISCIPLING and SERVING all people transformed to live and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

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5. What is church membership?

- Membership is one way that we understand the relationship one has with the local church. While the people, programs, preaching and other aspects of a church may draw someone to a church, becoming a member signals a commitment to Christ and reflects a significant decision which should be carefully made. (After all, a church is not a club, but it is a community of faith in our Savior Jesus.)
- Church membership is a personal commitment of individuals and families to one particular group or community of Christians. Formal membership in a particular church is not a pro forma guarantee of spiritual benefits—Christ’s Spirit is at work wherever you find His means of grace at work (His Word and the Sacraments). Church membership signals the congregation at which one will primarily experience worship life, spiritual growth in Christ, and their expression of service.
- When one joins a church, one is no longer alone. The new member becomes part of the forgiven people of God in that place.  

6. How does one become a member of Prince of Peace?

- When an individual or family expresses a desire to become a member of Prince of Peace, adult members of the family are encouraged to participate in Doorways, formerly known as Connections Class generally offered on Sunday mornings from 9:45-10:45 (during the Sunday school and Christian education hour). Doorways seek to ensure that each person has a firm connection with Jesus, our Savior, and assists people in making connections with others who are a part of or who are becoming a part of the Prince of Peace family. Through a variety of ways, we also seek to help people connect their interests, gifts, and needs with the many ministry opportunities that are offered at Prince of Peace.
- If you are interested in membership at Prince of Peace, please contact Judy Meyer (703-451-5855, ext 107) our Minister of Discipling, to learn more.      

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7. What specifically are some of the commitments related to church membership?

- Certain things are assumed of members when they join Prince of Peace (PoP). There is a commitment to the teachings of Prince of Peace and to the mission and ministry priorities of PoP. Thus there is a common or shared faith and a common or shared profession of faith among all the members. We also join hands in a common mission.
- As one becomes a member they agree to: become part of Christ’s team at Prince of Peace; regularly attend worship; manage their time and spiritual gifts to support the mission and vision of this congregation; engage in Small Groups and Bible Study; set a goal to tithe (1/10) of their earnings for Christ’s Kingdom; and help make decisions as a voting member of Prince of Peace at congregational meetings. 

8. What do I need to do to schedule a Baptism at Prince of Peace?

- Call (or email) the Church office (703-451-5855) and one of the Administrative Assistants will schedule an appointment with one of the pastors. During the appointment the pastor will answer questions you have about Baptism and schedule a time for either a Baptism during a worship service or a private Baptism.

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- Call (or email) the Church office (703-451-5855) to schedule an appointment with one of the pastoral staff. There is no fee for pastoral counseling.

- Call (or email) the Church office (703-451-5855) and the Administrative Staff will schedule a time with one of the pastoral staff. At that time the pastor will share information about pre-marriage counseling and other important information.

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- Please call (or email) the church office (703-451-5855) to let us know about yourself or the name of the person and the hospital in which you/they will be a patient. The pastoral staff and lay members of the Hospital Visitation Ministry call on those who are hospitalized. The pastoral staff is very willing to call on family members and friends who are in the hospital per their request. Our ministry is here to serve the entire community.

- Let us know of your new family member by calling (or email) the Church office (703-4515-5855). If you desire a member of the pastoral staff or a member of the Hospital Visitation Team will come and meet you (and your new little one) in the hospital and have a prayer of thanksgiving with you. We will also want to include your family in our thanksgiving prayers at the next worship services.

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- If the emergency occurs during the hours of 9 AM – 5 PM  Monday -Friday (3 PM on Friday) please call the Church office (703-451-5855). The Administrative Staff will immediately put you in touch with a Pastor. If the emergency occurs during non-office hours the Pastors can be called at their home numbers - Pastor John:  (703) 455-3552 or Pastor Ken: (703) 455-7959. In your time of emergency, the pastors desire to be available.

- Please call the church office immediately and the Administrative Staff will put you in touch with a pastor. If the death occurs outside of Church office hours the Pastors can be called at their home numbers - Pastor John:  (703) 455-3552 or Pastor Ken: (703) 455-7959. The pastoral staff will assist you with grief counseling, prayer, and funeral planning.

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