Membership

What is church membership?

Church membership is the covenantal relationship between a local church and the individual members who make up that church. It is lived out through each member's participation in the fellowship of the church and submission to the elders, as well as the church's commitment to each member's spiritual growth.

More practically, church membership unites us around what we believe (our statement of faith) and how we act towards each other (our membership covenant). It distinguishes those who are part of our church family from those who are visiting and just getting to know the church.

We practice Church Membership because we believe it’s modeled in the New Testament. Additionally, we believe church membership is essential in order to love one another, grow in Christ, and be on mission together.

The word “member” comes from Paul: “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27). While church membership isn’t commanded explicitly in the Bible, it’s implied everywhere. Throughout the New Testament it is clear that local churches knew exactly who was part of their church, and who wasn’t.