Membership
Benefits of Membership
Membership provides you a spiritual family and a personal network to support and encourage you in your spiritual progress. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26). Members are to meet together (Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:25).
Membership provides a place for you to discover and exercise your talents and spiritual gifts in ministry. “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:4-8). Spiritual gifts are to be used to serve and build up the church (1 Peter 4:10).
Membership permits you opportunities in certain ministries (such as children’s ministries) and certain leadership positions (such as elder or fellowship group leader). “Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task” (1 Timothy 3:1).
Membership places you under the spiritual protection of godly leaders. “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you” (Hebrews 13:17).
Membership gives you the accountability you need to grow “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21).
“Membership brings you from ‘believing’ to ‘belonging;’ from ‘this church’ to ‘my church.’” Membership gives you a sense of ownership and incentive for involvement. It also allows you to vote on matters related to the church.
Membership enables you to vote in those situations where congregational votes are called for in the church By-laws and Constitution.
Requirements of Membership
You must be a Christian who can clearly articulate and confess your faith in Christ.
You must have been baptized by immersion or be willing to be immersed.
You must fill out a “Membership Request Form” (available below) and meet with one of our elders.
You must be in substantial agreement with our Beliefs.
Responsibilities of Membership
We expect regular attendance from our members. We expect that you will participate in the life of the church and that you will take advantage of opportunities that the church provides both to grow and to serve.
We expect Christian service from our members. We would anticipate working with you to help you discover and hone your gifts and talents and then use them in the body life of the church.
We expect willingness to share resources from our members. We expect members to give of their time, money, talent and energy as they are able to the building up of God’s kingdom through the ministries of Genesis Bible Church. We affirm that members have a responsibility to support the local church financially.
We expect commitment from our members to the church vision, plans and leadership. While you may not always agree with every leadership decision, we expect that areas of disagreement will be handled in godly, Christ-honoring ways that are prescribed in the Scriptures.