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Potential Members
How do I become a member?
The membership process includes four steps:
1. You need to attend our Membership class. This class is held 3-4 times a year. We meet on a Sunday afternoon from 4-8PM (and dinner is provided). In 2010, the Membership class will be held on the following date: September 26. Please watch the bulletin for an announcement then call the church to register for the class.
2. If you have not been baptized by immersion as a believer, then you will need to attend our baptism class and be baptized. In 2010, our Baptism class will be held on the following date: October 5. Please watch the bulletin for an announcement and then call the church to register for the class.
At this point, you are encouraged to complete the membership devotional, signing each of the membership covenants, if you are able. Please begin by clicking HERE to read a brief introduction by our Senior Pastor.  Click HERE or the icon to the right to view the devotional in PDF format. The final page of the devotional provides a personal commitment checklist, if you find it helpful. Part of the interview process in step three will include discussion of the membership devotional.
3. Step three is to meet with a couple of Church Council members for a membership interview.
4. The final step in the process is to be voted into membership at the next business meeting upon the Council's recommendation.
If you are interested in pursuing membership, you will find it helpful to read on and discover what membership means here at Community Church:
What it means to be a member
Becoming a member is a pledge to this church family (1 Timothy 3:13). Membership is a pledge to become an active, consistent, contributing person in the church. It is a pledge to embrace the vision, mission, values, and strategies of this church. It is a covenant to pray fervently for the church; to attend consistently, to give faithfully, and to serve diligently. It is a promise to submit to its leaders, to handle conflict and disagreement in God-glorifying manner (Matthew 18:15-17), and to protect the unity of the church through love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Becoming a member is a commitment to be an active player, and not just an interested spectator, in the ministry of Community Church.
Why membership is important
Membership identifies you with a local church body. As you take your place in God’s family through salvation, it is His intention that you also commit yourself to a local church and become a committed contributor in that church family. The reason for this is simple. Accepting Jesus is a personal, private decision that you make on your own. But living out your faith is a corporate, public endeavor. Our faith is not to be lived in isolation. In addition to that, the local church is meant to be the recipient of the gifts and resources that God has entrusted to your stewardship. And finally, membership provides voting rights and decision-making influence as this local church seeks to fulfill the mission that God has given it.
Christianity is corporate - we were not meant to make it on our own.
In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul tells us that the Body of Christ, though it is one unit, it is made up of many parts and no part is disposable or unnecessary (v 12-27). You are a member of Christ’s body, the Church, and you are a necessary part. At the same time, you have a responsibility to the others because you are one among many. Membership formally signifies that you recognize and accept this responsibility.
Membership is a promise to embrace life within the community.
It is a pledge to discover and use your spiritual gift(s) (1 Peter 4:10), to fulfill the “one another” commands (ex. Romans 13:8), and to follow the leaders of the church (Hebrews 13:7). Beyond this, God will lead various churches to pursue ministry in a variety of ways. And membership is a promise to participate in ministry as God leads Community Church to pursue it. Specifically, this means that small groups, CLD’s, and other such ministries should be given priority.
Membership compels us to release our personal agenda and accept God’s vision for this church.
Often people walk into the church with an individual agenda that is revealed in comments like: “I hope I get something out of it today.” — “I am looking for a church that I really enjoy and feel comfortable in.” — “I didn’t really care for the worship at that church.” — “That church is always talking about missions, and I’m not really into that.”
These kinds of comments reveal a me-centered mindset that needs to be replaced with a God-centered and others-oriented perspective. Members move in that direction because they come to understand that it is not primarily about them or their preferences. It is fundamentally about God and His mission for this local church.
Membership creates a platform for “mutual” expectations.
Each of us brings a unique set of expectations to the church. Disappointment, hurt, tension, and sometimes division are created when personal expectations aren’t met. Membership creates a platform upon which “mutual” expectations are expressed, explained, and accepted. Together we come to understand what is expected of me towards you and you towards me.
Membership provides a measure of protection against the schemes of the Enemy.
1 Peter 5:8 tells us the devil is like a prowling lion looking for someone to devour. And like a lion, he will often stalk the weak, tired, or isolated prey. This is why we are told to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10), to “never grow weary of doing what is right” (Galatians 6:9), and to “not be absent when the church gathers” (Hebrews 10:25). Membership provides a measure of protection against the Enemy simply because active, contributing members are not weak, tired, or isolated.
For an excellent discussion of how church membership is understood in the Scriptures, click here to read John Piper's message entitled "The Meaning of Membership and Church Accountability."
The Membership Commitment
What is expected of members
At Community Church, we never ask our members to do more than the Bible clearly teaches. We only expect our members to do what the Bible clearly instructs every Christian to do.
Protect The Unity Of My Church
By acting in love toward other members (John 13:35)
By refusing to gossip (Romans 1:29-32)
By responding to hurt and conflict God’s way (Matthew 18:15-17)
By forgiving one another repeatedly (Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 18:21-22)
By cooperating with leaders (Hebrews 13:7; Romans 13:1-2)
Share The Responsibility Of My Church
By praying for it (Ephesians 6:18)
By inviting our neighbors, friends, and family to attend (Matthew 28:19-20)
By warmly welcoming those who visit (Romans 16:16)
By being intentional about my own spiritual growth (1Timothy 4:7; 1 Peter 2:2)
Serve The Ministry Of My Church
By discovering my gifts and talents and using them (1 Peter 4:10)
By becoming equipped to serve (Ephesians 4:12)
By developing a servant’s heart (Galatians 5:13; Matthew 20:26-28)
By participating in a small group (Acts 2:46)
Support The Testimony of My Church
By attending faithfully (Hebrews 10:25)
By living a godly life (Colossians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1)
By giving regularly and generously (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11)
What can be expected from the church
On our side of this two-way commitment, we pledge ourselves to the following:
Biblical Teaching
That our teaching will be true to God’s Word, the Bible, and free from manipulation and shame.
That our leaders will be servants and equippers who lead primarily by example.
Healthy Relationship Patterns
That our environment will be one where sin, weaknesses, and shortcomings can be discussed openly without shame.
That our attitude will be one of acceptance, regardless of a person’s past.
That we will encourage people without apology to grow in Christ-likeness in all facets of life.
That we will respond to disappointment, conflict, and sin in a manner consistent with the Bible.
Scrutinized Financial Practices
That we will be fiscally responsible and accountable.
That our financial books will be open for examination (donor information remains confidential).
Reaching Into Our Community
That we will proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ without apology in our services and through our ministries.
That we will pursue ministry methods that are relevant in our culture and effective at reaching people.
We hope this helps you understand what it means to be a member at Community Church. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to call the church and ask to speak to one of the pastors about membership.
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Upcoming Events
Tuesday, Sep. 7, 2010• Quest - 6:00 PM
Wednesday, Sep. 8, 2010• CrossRoads Kickoff - 7:00 PM
Thursday, Sep. 9, 2010• Men's Bible Study - 6:15 AM
Friday, Sep. 10, 2010• FOCUS - 6:45 PM
Sunday, Sep. 12, 2010• GROUP Kickoff-Cookout - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, Sep. 15, 2010• CrossRoads - 7:00 PM
Thursday, Sep. 16, 2010• Men's Bible Study - 6:15 AM
Friday, Sep. 17, 2010• MOPS-Mother's of Preschoolers - 9:00 AM
Friday, Sep. 17, 2010• FOCUS - 6:45 PM
Sunday, Sep. 19, 2010• GROUP - 6:00 PM
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