Committing to your local church.
Membership provides a way to determine who is committed to the mission, doctrine and values of Redemption’s Hill Church – our local expression of the body of Christ. Such delineation is not meant to be elitist or divisive. It is not meant to create different classes within our church. Rather, it simply recognizes that there are people within any expression of the body of Jesus Christ at varying levels of commitment – and that’s okay. As an intentional community with a mission and purpose, it is helpful to know who is committed and who is simply curious.
Should I become a member?
Scripture tells us that leaders within the church are called to “equip the saints – or believers – for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God” (Eph 4:12-13). Essentially, we are called to function as one body, made up of many members, with Jesus Christ as our head, working together to grow into maturity (1 Cor 12:12-31). When all believers – not just church staff – embrace the importance of their role in the church community, the body of Christ is able to function with all of the faculties it is supplied with. When each part is working properly, the body grows into health and strength (Eph 4:16).
So you should not enter into the membership covenant because you’ve been around Redemption’s Hill awhile and figure it’s the next step or “something you should do.” Nor should you enter into the membership covenant simply to say, “Redemption’s Hill is where I go to church.” That’s part of it but membership is more than that. It is an informed commitment to the doctrine and vision of Redemption’s Hill Church, a willing submission to the leadership of the church and an intentional embrace of your role in the body of Christ and the mission of the church.
How does a person become a member?
Look for opportunities the leadership of your local congregation provides to go through the membership process. The structure and time frame of the process may vary slightly based on the factors involved. In each case the process will include
- Attendance of a class that goes through the Redemption’s Hill Membership Packet.
- A meeting with a pastor or elder.
- Signing the Membership Covenant.