Covenant Membership

Why Membership?

The local church is more than a place or building. The Church is the gathering of the redeemed, the sanctified flock of the Shepherd, the united house of God, the body and bride of Christ in order to glorify God in all we do (Ephesians 3:10). Commitment of believers to one another is not to be taken lightly. Throughout the Bible there are profound relationships that exists among those who have been reconciled to God and each other.

Membership is not about an inner circle with grander visions of secrets within the church. It’s not a legal document or means of control. It is not an approval process to choose and not choose who is a part of the church. It is a guideline for the body of believers, and it is a way to have accountability and to commit to the mission and vision of the church. It recognizes and responds to the call of discipleship in the context of community. Membership is all about being a part of community that has Jesus as the center point, where people grow together, and where the needs of that community are met (Acts 2:42-47). It is about being accountable to the local church and it being accountable to its members. Membership is about strengthening the body of Christ by being the body of Christ.

Covenant Membership Class

As you think about making a decision to join the church, we offer a class that covers what it means to be a Covenant Member, as well as our mission, basic beliefs and theology. Before deciding, we want you to know exactly what it means to join and what is required if you do. There are three steps to becoming a Covenant Member:

Baptism

Baptism is intended only for those who have professed faith in Jesus Christ and can give sufficient testimony to the basics of Christian beliefs. We baptize by immersion because it is not only the original significance of the word but also best symbolizes the reality to which baptism points—our death and resurrection in Christ. If you have not been baptized following salvation, we ask you to take this step before becoming a Covenant Member. To help prepare you, we offer a Baptism Class. The class covers the biblical significance of baptism, frequently asked questions and gives you an opportunity to share your testimony.

Required Reading

We require prospective members to read the Covenant Membership Packet before signing the membership covenant. It is handed out at the membership class and explains what membership is and why it’s important to commit to a local body of believers.

Signing the Covenant

The final step in becoming a member is to meet with a membership leader to sign the Membership Covenant. We will explain the covenant, listen to your testimony and answer any questions you might have. Once you fulfill the requirements of membership and sign the covenant, you are considered a Covenant Member.