Become a Member... PDF Print E-mail

Why Membership?

The difference between "attenders" and "owners" can be summed up in a word: commitment.

At theMovement we recognize the need for a formal membership. We ask you to commit to membership for 4 reasons:

1. A Biblical Reason: Christ is committed to the church.  Ephesians 5:25:  Christ loved the church, and he gave his life for it.

2. A Cultural Reason: It is a unique commitment in our society.

We live in an age where very few want to be committed to anything…school, relationships, our country. This attitude has even produced a generation of "church shoppers & hoppers.” Membership swims against the current of America's "consumer religion” that switches groups for any reason. Membership is an unselfish decision. Commitment always builds character.

3. A Practical Reason: It defines who can be counted on.

Every team must have a roster. Every school must have an enrollment. Every army has an enlistment. Membership identifies our family of believers who can be counted on in our attempt to fulfill our purpose.

4. A Personal Reason: It encourages spiritual growth.

The New Testament places a major emphasis on the need for Christians to be accountable to each other for spiritual growth. It’s tough to be accountable when you're not committed to any specific church family.

As a team, we are committing to each other, huddling in accountability, prayer, encouragement, and mutual submission, calling plays for each other, and advancing the Kingdom of God and taking away ground otherwise being handed over freely to the enemy.

 

What Does Membership Look Like at theMovement?

A more important questions is, "What does a member of the local church look like in the bible?"                  

  • Must be a Christian, baptized as an adult                                                                  
  • In relational community with others                                                     
  • Accountable to leadership                                                                        
  • In theological unity                                                                                       
  • Doing their part                                                                                            
  • Being committed to the values of the church                                         

 So therefore, a Member of our local church must:

  • Be a Christian
  • Be baptized by immersion by your own choice and desire
  • Be in a lifeGroup or on a designated Ministry Teams (serving teams with a high level of relationship/accountability)
  • Serve on one of our Serving or Ministry Teams
  • Attend or watch the Doctrine and Theology Class
  • Attend the Covenant Class
  • Agree to the Covenant’s Three Parts:
              1. Doctrinal Statement* (Solidified: the Essential non-negotiables)
              2. Distinctives Statement** (Unified: Values and Principles that enable us to function as a team)
              3. Lifestyle of Discipleship Statement (Diversified: character and evangelism commitments, etc.)
  • One on One Interview with an Elder

How Do I Get Started?!?
You can really get started however you want.  Get in a lifeGroup, join a serving team, start watching the Doctrine and Theology Class, and watch for the next Covenant Class or baptism.  It's important to understand that we don't view Membership as a one time class or a signature on a paper.  It's a process of growth, committment, and then sustaining that covenantal commitment with love for God, each other, and the community.