How To Become a Member

Expectations of Church Membership

ARTICLE X. Membership

10.1 Requirements

An individual may become a “Member of the Church” or a “Member” in accordance with this Article 10.

Membership within the Church is first predicated on one becoming a genuine follower of Jesus Christ through having responded by faith by the drawing of the Holy Spirit to the message of the gospel.

In addition, Members shall have completed all of the requirements of membership as determined by the Council; and Members shall have signed the “Expectations of Church Membership,” as it is revised, amended or restated from time to time, thus committing such Members to the responsibilities therein assigned.

  • Members should commit to regular attendance.
  • Members shall be registered in the Membership Registry.

10.2 Responsibilities

Membership within a local church carries both privileges and responsibilities.

Members of the Church are held accountable to the responsibilities of general Christian obligations comprehensively though not exhaustively outlined within the Expectations of Church Membership. These responsibilities include praying for and pursuing both corporate health and individual holiness.

In signing the Expectations of Church Membership, Members attest that they have completed the membership process as instructed, read the Expectations of Church Membership, and are willingly agreeing:

• To submit to the authority of the Scriptures as the final arbiter on all issues (Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 3:14- 17; 2 Peter 1:19-21).

• To pursue the Lord Jesus Christ through regular Bible reading, prayer, fellowship and practice of spiritual disciplines (Luke 18:1; Acts 17:11; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Ephesians 5:1-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22).

• To follow the command and example of Jesus by participating in the ordinances

prescribed to His Church:

  • By being baptized after conversion.
  • By regularly remembering and celebrating the person and work of Christ through communion

• To steward the resources God has given each Member, including time, talents, spiritual gifts and finances. This stewardship includes regular financial giving, service and participation in community that is sacrificial, cheerful and voluntary (Matthew 25:14-30; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 1 Peter 4:10-11).

• By God’s grace through the power of the Holy Spirit, to walk in holiness in all areas of life as an act of worship to Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13-16, 4:1-3). Members should strive to put certain attitudes and actions to death while stirring and  stimulating love and good deeds through the Spirit.

• To refrain from such activities that the Scriptures would deem foolish (Romans 14:14-23).

• To take seriously the responsibility of Christian freedom, especially actions or situations that could present a stumbling block to another (1 Corinthians 8:1-13).

• To submit to the discipline of God through His Holy Spirit by: following the biblical procedures for church discipline where sin is evident in another, the hope of such discipline being repentance and restoration receiving righteous and loving discipline as explained in Article XIII of these Bylaws when approached biblically by fellow believers (Psalm 141:5; Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; Hebrews 12:5-11). To do the following when the Member sins: confess the sin to God and to fellow believers and repent and seek help to put the sin to death (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5; James 5:16; 1 John 1:6-10).

• To submit to the Elders (as hereinafter defined) and other appointed leaders of the Church and diligently strive for unity and peace within the Church (Ephesians 4:1-3; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:5).

• To do the following should I leave the Church for righteous reasons:

  • Notify the appropriate staff member. leadership role is abandoned, the role will be considered forfeited and will be filled by another qualified Member

10.3 Polling of Members

The Members of the Church shall be polled on matters that are deemed necessary by the Council.

The time, place, and nature of upcoming membership polling will be communicated to the Church at least twenty (20) days in advance and Members shall have an opportunity to submit questions, comments, and concerns, which will be considered by the Council on a case-by-case basis. The poll will take place during the public worship services or a special business meeting, which shall be convened in person. Only Members shall be permitted to participate in polling

on any matter under this 10.3. Poll results shall be reviewed and considered by the Council; provided, however, the Council has final decision making authority regarding any polled matters.

10.4 Formal Dispute Resolution

  • Members shall refrain from filing lawsuits against the Church and/or and submit to Christian Alternative Dispute Resolution. In keeping with 1 Corinthians 6:1-8, all formal disputes, other than those which are subject to the jurisdiction of the Council in Article XIII of these Bylaws, which may arise between any Member of the Church and the Church itself, or between any Member of the Church and any Council member, Elder, employee, volunteer, agent, or other Member of this Church, shall be resolved by mediation, and if not resolved by mediation, then by binding arbitration under the procedures and supervision of the Rules of Procedure for

    Christian Conciliation, Institute for Christian Conciliation, or similar faith-based mediation and arbitration group. In the event that the Institute for Christian Conciliation ceases to exist during the course of this Agreement, arbitration under this section shall be conducted according to the

    rules of the American Arbitration Association. Judgment upon an arbitration award may be entered in any court otherwise having jurisdiction. The parties each agree to bear their own costs related to any mediation or arbitration proceeding including payment of their own attorneys’ fees. Either party may file a motion seeking temporary injunctive relief from a court of competent jurisdiction in order to maintain the status quo until the underlying dispute or claim can be submitted for mediation or arbitration.
  • If a dispute may result in an award of monetary damages that could be paid under a Church insurance policy, then use of the conciliation, mediation, and arbitration procedure is conditioned on acceptance of the procedure by the liability insurer of the Church and the insurer’s agreement to honor any mediation, conciliation, or arbitration award up to any applicable policy limits. The mediation, conciliation, and arbitration process is not a substitute for any disciplinary process set forth in these Bylaws, and shall in no way affect the authority of the Church to investigate reports of misconduct, to conduct hearings, or to administer discipline of Members

10.5 Membership Renewal and Removal

  • Membership in the Church is reviewed and renewed on a periodic basis. Members can be removed through:
    • (a) failure to regularly attend Church services as determined by vote of the Council
    • (b) Voluntary resignation of membership
    • (c) Death
    • (d) A decision by vote of the Council as a result of a disciplinary process.