“So we, who are many, are one body in Christ,

and individually members one of another.” 

Romans 12:5

Mt. Pleasant Community Church is known in our area as a safe place for anyone to hear the “dangerous” message of Jesus Christ.  But proclaiming the Gospel alone doesn’t make us a church.  What makes us a church—not just an evangelistic and discipleship organization—is that we are a community. We have attenders and visitors, but we also have members.  People can belong to our fellowship, and they can know they are connected. 

One might assume that, as long as you profess Christ, what is the need for any further identification with a local church?  Isn’t it enough simply to call yourself a Christian and attend services somewhere regularly?  What is the point of formal membership?

Why Membership?

At MPCC we recognize the need for a formal membership for at least three reasons.  First, we believe the concept of membership is biblical.  While the term “church member” is never used, the concept is implicit throughout the New Testament.  Believers clearly identified themselves with a specific local body and were challenged to become devoted participants.  Second, formal membership is valuable to the leaders of the church as they seek to fulfill their God-given task of shepherding.  Our church is and always will be a place where everyone is welcome to come and explore.  At some point, however, it is important to identify those who truly comprise the “flock” at Community Church—the core that can be counted on to build and sustain the ministries of the church.  Every team needs a roster.  Finally, and perhaps most importantly, experience shows that membership benefits the individual.  In a culture where commitment is no longer highly valued, recognizable membership is an important step that moves each of us out of the vague clouds of our good intentions and into the clear light of committed participation.  It presents a challenge to “step out of the stands” and publicly affirm a commitment to Christ and to a specific local body.  In a sense, membership can be a significant “defining moment” in one’s lifelong discipleship journey.

“Positional” and “Participating”

But how exactly do you define a “member”?  This is a legitimate question, and it needs some clarification, since the Bible actually describes two kinds of “membership.”  Scripture is full of references to the once-and-for-all union with Christ and His body, which happens at your conversion (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 2:13-22; 4:3-6; Colossians 1:13-22).  At that moment, you became a “positional member” in the universal Church of Jesus Christ, based solely on God’s merit and grace.  “Positional membership” is eternal and unchanging.  But then the Bible also urges “positional members” to continue growing by becoming “participating members” in a specific local assembly (Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:25-31; 14:12, 26; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Timothy 3:14-15).  Obviously, you may be a “participating member” of several different local bodies during the course of your lifetime while maintaining a permanent “positional membership” in Christ’s universal Church.  We cannot see the invisible bond of “positional membership”, but we can identify those who are “participating members” here at Mt. Pleasant Community Church.

SEVEN G’S

How can “participating membership” be described biblically?  We have attempted to summarize it in an outline form using what we call “The Seven G’s.”

Grace

The individual appropriation of the saving work of Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Glorify

Expressing thanks and praise to God through private and corporate worship (John 4:23)

Growth

The ongoing evidence of a changing life and pursuit of Christlikeness (2 Peter 3:18)

Group

Participation in the body of Christ and connection with others in significant relationships (Acts 2:46)

Gifts

Serving Christ’s body according to spiritual giftedness and passion (Romans 12:6-8)

Good News

Sharing Christ with others in one’s circle of influence and practicing a ministry of invitation. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)

Good Stewardship

Honoring God with one’s material resources and supporting the church using the biblical precedent of the tithe as a goal to reach or exceed as God prospers (Philippians 4:11-19)

The Membership Process

The process of becoming a participating member has four steps:

1. ATTEND A MEMBERSHIP CLASS.  Membership classes are offered several times and in various formats each year.
    

2. COMPLETE A SELF-ASSESSMENT.  Each prospective member is asked to evaluate their own spiritual life using a Personal Spiritual Inventory based on the Seven G’s (the seven marks of membership or discipleship).  In addition, prospective members are asked to sign a Growth Covenant. 
    
3. BE INTERVIEWED BY THE ELDERS – The prospective member meets with two of our Elders to process their self-assessment.  The purpose of the interview is not to determine whether the candidate is a “perfect Christian” (whatever that is!).  The purpose is to affirm the prospective member’s commitment to Christ, to this church body, and to the lifelong process of spiritual growth. Elders normally will confirm membership on the spot.  Occasionally, they may need to confer with the pastor or with other elders.
    
4. BE RECEIVED INTO MEMBERSHIP BEFORE THE CONGREGATION – New members are presented during a regular worship service so the entire church can rejoice together.  The Membership Vows are made before the entire congregation.  Members who have never been baptized are baptized during the same service.  Members who have been previously baptized are anointed with oil to signify their commitment.

Individuals will also reaffirm their commitment to participating membership periodically.  Our intent is not to burden people by asking for this reaffirmation, but to see that membership remains a meaningful covenant for all who claim it. 

Click here for the class notes.

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