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Church Membership

Church Membership

Why Church Membership?

The term “Church membership" is not a Biblical term. However, the concept definitely is biblical. Church membership is the mutual acceptance and commitment of the Church body to the individual and the individual to the Church body and leadership.

For a great article on the rationale for church membership, click here.

 

Qualifications for Membership:

  • You must have placed your faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
  • You must affirm your commitment to the Christ Community Church Statement of Faith.
  • You must affirm your commitment to the spiritual leadership of the Elders at Christ Community Church.
  • You must covenant to use your spiritual gifts within the church body.
  • To take your FREE Spiritual Gifts Analysis, click here.

 

Steps to Membership:

A person desiring to become a member of Christ Community Church is asked to:

  • Contact Pastor Tim Arrington in the church office to begin the process. 
  • Attend the two-part membership class (called the Newcomers class, offered 4 times a year on Sunday mornings).
  • Share your testimony with an Elder of Christ Community Church at the conclusion of the class.

New members are publicly introduced and affirmed before the congregation twice each year (spring and fall).

 

Reasons for Church Membership

Identification with God's people

God's people have always been clearly identified even though the expression of identification has varied by culture and time. Though common in America, the idea of the “independent Christian" is totally alien to the New Testament. 1 Corinthians 12:20 states, “There are many members, but one body." Christ designed and instituted His Church so that His people could be clearly identified with the Church and be known as "the body of Christ." Membership helps to identify one with Christ's Church in a particular place.

 

Increased effectiveness

Just as logs joined together burn much brighter than independent logs, so Christians gathered together can accomplish much more than as individuals. In addition, we can better serve our congregation if we know exactly who the “sheep" are in the flock. Membership helps us not only build relationships but gives us data concerning the demographics of the Church so we can minister more effectively. This in turn helps you to know your giftings and opportunities to serve in the Church.

 

A sense of belonging

When one formally joins any group or organization, the sense of belonging is significantly heightened. It is no longer “their Church," but “our Church." Therefore, one feels more comfortable and readily expects and claims the benefits of belonging.

 

Acceptance of responsibility

To get the full benefits and joys of marriage, one must be committed to the obligations and responsibilities of marriage. In the same way, to enjoy the full benefits of the Church, one must also accept the full responsibilities. The Christian becomes a player instead of a spectator. As a team member he or she accepts responsibility for the wins and losses of the team, while the spectator only observes.

 

Submission

In Hebrews 13:17 we are commanded to be submissive to the proper authorities. When believers have differences, they are to submit those differences to the rule of the Church rather than the secular court (Matthew 18:17; 1 Corinthians 6:1). When we get out of line in our beliefs or behavior, the Church is responsible to correct us for our benefit and the testimony of Christ (Titus 3:10; 1 Cor. 5; 2 Cor. 2; Romans 16:17). Membership, therefore, declares our submission to the Lord, the Body of Christ, and to the spiritual leadership of the local Church.

 

Rewards of Church Membership

For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (Rom. 12:3-5)

Membership helps you establish meaningful, lasting, and encouraging friendships. (1 John)

  • It helps to identify a person as a genuine believer. (Eph. 2:19, Rom. 12:5)
  • It gives you a place to go in order to consistently experience corporate praise, prayer, and teaching. (Acts 2:42-47)
  • It provides a spiritual family to support and encourage you in your walk with Jesus Christ. (Gal. 6:1-2; Heb. 10:24-25; Phil. 2)
  • It gives you a place to discover and use your spiritual gifts in ministry. (1 Cor. 12:4-27)
  • It places you under the protection of godly leaders. (Heb. 13:17, Acts 20:28-29)
  • It gives you the accountability you need to grow. (Eph. 5:21; 1 Tim. 3; Titus 1; 1 Thess. 5:12-13)
  • Other members who are committed and contributing will bless you, and you will bless others by being a devoted member. (1 Cor. 12-14; Gen. 12:2; Psalm 67) The benefits are endless…