“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” (Romans 12:4-5).
Questions & Answers on Church Membership
Q1. What is church membership?
A: Membership is a voluntary, Spirit-led attachment to a local body of believers in a relationship of mutual care and accountability before the Lord. It is a committed connection with fellow Christians to glorify God as a covenant community in a bond of affection under the headship of Christ.
Q2. Where is membership found in the Bible?
A: In the New Testament the Apostle Paul refers to believers as members of Christ’s body (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27). When Paul writes to the Corinthians about “those inside the church” (1 Corinthians 5:12), and “the whole church,” (1 Corinthians 4:23), and “the majority [of the church]” (2 Corinthians 2:6), he is describing a definite number of members in the local church. Church membership is also implied in the Bible’s directives for spiritual leadership and mutual accountability. Overseers of the local church are responsible to care for, equip, and teach the members (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:9). This presumes that the leaders know who their fellow members are. All members are called to work together to hold each other accountable, and to restore wayward individuals back into covenant fellowship (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5: 2 Corinthians 2:5-8).
Q3. Why is membership important?
A: Church membership is a relational investment individuals make in the local body of Christ. It provides a visible expression of the living gospel as sinners repent, believe, are baptized and walk in newness of life together in loving community. Church membership communicates loyalty, unity and support for the people, for the goals and for the ministries of the local church. It facilitates the Elder's ministry of guarding and equipping the saints. It affirms true faith and disciple-making. It defends against imposters and false teachers who would prey upon the body. Church membership strengthens the helping and caring ministry of the Deacons. It assists the approval process of church leadership and the restorative process of church discipline.
Q4. What are the benefits of membership?
A: Church membership provides the blessings of acceptance, nurture, care, protection, accountability and discipline to individuals and families in the local assembly of the body of Christ. “In love [God] predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ…So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Ephesians 1:4-5; 2:9). Although the church will never be perfectly pure in this age, membership implies a commitment to patiently pursue obedience to what Scripture teaches. Church members commit to grow in grace and good deeds through such endeavors as Bible study, confession, prayer, loving fellowship and service to build one another up with loving preference (Colossians 3:12-17; Hebrews 10:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Galatians 6:10). Certain volunteer and leadership opportunities will be only available to members. Certain expressions of benevolent care and material assistance will be only available to members.
Q5: What are the obligations and commitments of membership?
A: Jesus commands us to abide in Him and to love one another so that all people will know we are His disciples (John 13:35; John 15:1-17; Romans 12:10). Our love for God and for one another is expressed in some of the following ways.
1. A commitment to walk in obedience to the scriptures as a disciple of Christ. This implies a commitment to study the Bible and to be active in prayer, worship and fellowship for the glory of God (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 John 5:2).
2. A commitment to actively invest one’s time, talents and treasure to build up the church and make it strong for the benefit of all members. This implies commitments of regular attendance, giving and participation in the body life of the church, abiding by the terms of the Church Covenant. The spiritual gifts of the body are activated by the needs of the body. (Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:15-16; 1 Peter 4:10).
3. A commitment to grow in faith. This implies ongoing fruitfulness as we are sanctified by the Holy Spirit toward greater love and good works (John 15:8,16; Ephesians 2:10; James 2:26).
4. A commitment to submit to the spiritual care of the church leaders. This implies willing accountability to those who must give account for the souls of each church member (1 Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:7,17).
Q6. What are the requirements for membership?
A: To be a member of HOFGP you must sincerely trust in Christ alone for your salvation. You must be baptized and have a credible testimony of repentance, conversion and saving faith. You must be willing to submit to the biblical authority of church Elders and you must strive to live in accordance with God’s Word. You must be committed to participate in the body life of the church, contributing from your time, talents and treasure toward its health and vitality for the benefit of all members. In accordance with the HOFGP Constitution and Bylaws, qualification for membership shall include, but not be limited to 1) A clear personal testimony of faith in Christ, 2) Review of, and agreement with the Church Constitution and Bylaws, 3) Review of, and signed agreement with the Church Membership Covenant, 4) Unanimous approval of membership by the Elder Board, 5) New Member Affirmation. More details on membership can be found in Article I. of the Church Bylaws.
Q7. What is the government structure of HOFGP?
A: The government of HOFGP is based on the servant leadership of a plurality of Elders who are responsible to teach, govern, guard, pray for and equip the members for works of ministry (Ephesians 4:11). Elders are to be Spirit-filled servants who lead by humble example (Acts 6:3; 20:28; 1 Peter 5:3). They are to oversee the condition, the direction and the operations of the church. They are called to commission Deacons to respond to the material needs of the church. Both Elders and Deacons are to be men of true Christian experience and established character according to the standards set forth in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Church members are to respect, obey and submit to the leaders who keep watch over them (1 Thessalonians 5:12; Hebrews 13:17). In order to stimulate the participation of church members in the body life of the church, the Elders may ask members to nominate new leaders, to respond to surveys for ministry evaluation, and to give other input on particular issues of concern as needed.
Q8: What is Church Discipline at HOFGP?
A: The mark of a true Christian and a church member in good standing is not perfection. It is, rather, the persistent pursuit of holiness in Christ, which includes regular confession, repentance of sin, and the desire to obey God’s Word. All members participate in the priesthood of believers as we intercede for each other, confess our sins to each other and minister God’s grace to each other (Romans 15:30; James 5:16; 1 Peter 2:5, 9; 1 Peter 4:10; Revelation 1:6; 5;10). All members are responsible for maintaining the unity and mutual accountability of the church by giving and receiving encouragement, counsel, comfort and admonition (Galatians 6:1; Hebrews 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:14). Membership in the church therefore includes both loving kindness and compassionate confrontation.
The Bible teaches that there are acts of disobedience to Christ that require disciplinary action by the church (Matthew 18:17; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5). Church discipline can be viewed as a rescue operation to restore a wayward member back into a covenant relationship with the church. It is best accomplished through prayerful, patient instruction and loving appeal, usually by those who are closest to the person who is in sin. When private efforts do not bring about repentance, the overseers should be included in the inquiry and entreaty process. If a wayward member persists in willful sin, the Elders will present their findings to the church body, and if necessary, remove the person from membership in hopes of achieving ultimate repentance and restoration (1 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Corinthians 2:6-7; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15).
Q9: How can I become a member of HOFGP?
A: As you prayerfully consider becoming a member of HOFGP, we invite you to carefully examine the Constitution, Bylaws, and Information Booklet of the church. All of these can be obtained from our information table on Sundays, or viewed online at our web site: www.hofgp.org. Next, we invite you to attend our 3-D Membership Class, which includes sessions to explain HOFGP’s vision, centered on Doctrine, Devotion and Discipleship. After completing the class, those who are ready may proceed through the following steps.
1. Sign the Church Covenant
2. Request a membership interview with one of our Elders.
3. Participate in a scheduled Member Affirmation ceremony during one of our worship services.
Q10: Why must I sign something?
A: Church membership is defined by committed relationships of loving concern and mutual accountability to each other in Christ. Signing the HOFGP Church Covenant is merely an affirmation of that relationship. Our Church Covenant is not a legal contract or a cultic rite. It is an agreement to love and build each other up as Christ commanded. In the same way that a signed agreement between two parties strengthens a verbal agreement by making it an objective document, the signing of our church covenant serves to strengthen our agreement to participate in each other’s lives and to care for one another. We hope our provisions for church membership do not seem impersonal, or overly formal, but that they ultimately serve to bring glory and honor to Christ our Lord.
Q11: What are the terms of membership?
A: Once you make HOFGP your church home you will be expected to continue your walk of faith as a committed, growing member as long as you are able. When circumstances require you to leave the HOFGP fellowship, we advise you to pursue committed membership at another gospel-preaching, disciple-making church as soon as is possible.
Q12: What about children and membership?
A: With a parent's approval, children age 12 and older, who have met with the standard qualifications mentioned above in question 6, may be received into formal membership. Children under 12 participate in the church under the headship of their parents.
Q13: Do members have to be baptized?
A: Since Jesus commands His disciples to be baptized, baptism is a requirement for all HOFGP members (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; 10:48; 1 Peter 3:21). If you have already been baptized as a Christian you do not need to be re-baptized. HOFGP performs believer baptisms only, which means we do not baptize infants, who we feel are too young to make a credible profession of faith (Romans 10:9). If you were baptized as an infant and do not want to be re-baptized due to reasons of conscience, that is acceptable, provided your decision remains personal and does not become a divisive issue within the church. Please speak with a church Elder if you have questions about baptism.
Q14: Can I attend HOFGP and not be a member?
A: Yes, visitors are welcome. Visitors are encouraged to attend long enough to know whether HOFGP is a place where they can grow in knowledge and faith and service to others. If so, we recommend that you pursue formal membership within a reasonable amount of time, say three to six months after your first visit. Since our church leaders must give account for the spiritual condition and growth of each member (Hebrews 13:17), it is important that they know when you have decided to submit to their spiritual care. If HOFGP is not a church fellowship in which you would seek formal membership, we advise you to find a church where you can make such a commitment. If a painful church experience in the past has made you resistant to the idea of membership, please share your concerns with an Elder or Deacon.
Q15: What is the HOFGP Church Covenant and Member Affirmation?
Church Covenant
Having been brought by Divine Grace to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and to give up ourselves to Him, and having been baptized upon our profession of faith in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, relying on His gracious aid, solemnly and joyfully renew our covenant with each other.
We will work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
We will walk together in brotherly love, showing care and watchfulness over each other, and admonishing one another as occasion may require.
We will, when conflicts arise among us, seek to glorify God, confess our sins, overlook minor offenses, and pursue genuine peace and reconciliation.
We will rejoice at each other’s happiness and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other’s burdens and sorrows.
We will endeavor to train up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and by a humble and loving example to seek the salvation of our family, friends and those around us.
We will seek, by Divine aid, to live carefully in the world, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, remembering that we have a special obligation now to lead a new and holy life.
We will endeavor to grow in the knowledge of our faith, and in sound doctrine, in obedience to the Scriptures, living out the Gospel as disciple-making ambassadors for Christ.
We will endeavor to be faithful in attendance, in prayer and in giving to further the ministry of this church, as we sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, doctrines, ministry and outreach efforts.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.
Member Affirmation
The following questions will be asked of qualified candidates to publicly confirm their membership.
1. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and depend upon Him alone for salvation as it is offered in the Gospel?
2. Do you resolve and promise, in reliance upon the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit in your life, that you will endeavor to live as becomes a follower of Christ?
3. Do you commit yourself to serve Christ as a part of this local assembly by supporting and participating in its worship and fellowship and work?
4. Do you find yourself in basic agreement with the Statement of Faith as set forth in our Constitution?
5. Do you commit yourself to abide by the terms of the Church Covenant?
6. Do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of the church and its leaders, promising, also, to do your part always to further its peace and purity?
Updated 3-25-2010