Why Membership?
Biblical Reasons
- Christ promised to build His church and it is the vehicle God wants to use in the present day. Membership invites you to be a part of what God is doing. (Matthew 16:18)
- Christ died for the church (Ephesians 5:25), which demonstrates its importance.
- The Bible speaks of a role listing of those who belonged to the first church (Acts 2). Present church membership follows that pattern.
- Baptism is a picture of your identification with the universal body of Christ (Romans 6:1-11), membership identifies you with the local church.
Cultural Reasons
- Our generation is the first generation of Christians to be without a local church. Church membership fights against our current culture of non-commitment.
- Our culture glorifies self-sufficiency. The Bible glories in community and inter-dependence (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Church membership allows you to reject self-sufficiency and embrace your God-designed need for others.
Practical Reasons
- Service opportunities in the church are limited for non-members. Perhaps those very areas are areas of giftedness for you. Membership permits you to serve in any area you are biblically gifted for.
- Membership defines who can be counted on. Every team must have a roster. Membership identifies our family of believers who can be counted on in our attempt to fulfill our purpose.
- Membership allows us to better care for you and your needs. Non-members will not receive as personalized care and (by constitution) do not have some of the benefits members receive.
Personal Reasons
- Membership moves people out of a vague cloud of good intentions and into the clear light of committed participation. It is easy to observe from the fringes.
- The New Testament places a major emphasis on the need for us to be accountable to each other for spiritual growth. Without membership, the strength of accountability is severely weakened.
- With membership comes an umbrella of protection. If you are a member, it guarantees that if you stray morally or doctrinally, we will come to your aid to help you get back to where God wants you to be.
Membership Expectations
We have expectations of all members. To become a member, you are stating your intention and desire. These are not officially requirements, yet we believe they are biblical practices and are very important for the growth of a believer in Christ. Finally, we do not require that these expectations are done through our official programs.
Six Expectations of Membership
- We expect members to worship with us on Sunday mornings for corporate worship and growth.
- We expect members to be part of a small group of believers functioning biblically by practicing the one anothers of the Bible.
- We expect members to grow in the knowledge of Christ through further biblical education.
- We expect members to serve Christ and within this church body.
- We expect members to live an evangelistic lifestyles (PI2 – Pray, Invest, Invite) to help those who are far from God to find life in Christ.
- We expect members to sacrificially give to the financial needs of the church.
Final Thoughts
After you have given careful and prayerful attention to this matter, please contact the church office. If you do not wish to apply for membership at this time, be assured that this does not affect your welcome in our church in any way. Thank you for your fellowship and concern for our church.