DISCOVERY CLASS Exploring Church Membership Session 3 “Our Goals: How We Fulfill Our Purpose”

Every organization, group or church has a set of values that… create common expectations determine to some extent what you do or don’t do govern how you behave

The 5 Circles of Commitment

The 5 Circles of Commitment The Community: everybody within driving distance of the church The Crowd: committed to attend worship The Congregation: committed to the church The Committed: committed to the church & growing in faith The Core: committed to active involvement in the ministries of the church

Our Goal Draw people in and help them move progressively toward the center At each stage there is a “covenant”

What is a Covenant? A very biblical concept Define Examples: Noah, Abraham, Moses & Israel, the “new Covenant” Define What is expected Where to go next

The Covenant Commitments Membership: to Jesus and FCC Maturity: to habits that lead to spiritual growth Ministry: discovering & using your gifts to serve others Mission: share the Good News with others

You become what you are committed to!

Jesus’ Two Primary Directives The Great Commandment Mark 12.30-31, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

Jesus’ Two Primary Directives The Great Commission Matthew 28.19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

The 5 Purposes of the Church Celebrate God’s presence which is worship Worship is both personal & corporate A worship style is a kind of “language” The most important thing is not your style but your heart “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4.24)

All worship should aim to... celebrate what God has done inspire God’s people to great faith & action prepare them for works of ministry

The 5 Purposes of the Church 2) Incorporate people into God’s family which is fellowship The importance of small groups

The 5 Purposes of the Church 3) Educate God’s people which is discipleship The Bible assumes we will grow spiritually 2 Peter 1.5-8, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The 5 Purposes of the Church 4) Demonstrate God’s love which is ministry John 13.35, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

We believe… every member is a minister every task is important every member is a “10” in some area 1 Cor 12.4-7, 27, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good… Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

The 5 Purposes of the Church 5) Communicate God’s Word which is evangelism Someone has to tell others Romans 10.13-14, “ ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

Reaching out leads to growth Unbiblical attitudes to church growth “the church won’t feel the same any more because large churches are impersonal” “I don’t know everyone any more” “if we grow our facilities won’t hold everyone” “we’re more interested in quality not quantity” These attitudes are always about us and not about the Kingdom of God

We must grow because… God loves people God commands us to reach out 2 Peter 3.9, “The Lord...is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but wants everyone to come to repentance.” God commands us to reach out Acts 1.8, “…you will be my witnesses” Growth is God’s will Matthew 15.18, “I will build my church…”

The difference between attenders and members is commitment

4 Reasons for Membership Biblical: Christ is committed to church Ephesians 5.25, “...Christ loved the church, and he gave his life for it.” Cultural: antidote to society Practical: defines who can be counted on Personal: produces spiritual growth

The Membership Covenant Having received Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and having been baptized, I am in agreement with this congregation’s beliefs, goals, and structure, and now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with Faith Covenant Church. In doing so I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following:

1) I will protect the unity of my church by… Acting in love 1 Peter 1.22, “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.” Refusing to gossip Ephesians 4.29, "Don't let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only what builds up other." Following the leaders Hebrews 13.17, "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them that their work will be a joy and not a burden for that would be no advantage to you."

2) I will share the responsibility of my church by… praying for its growth inviting the unchurched to attend warmly welcoming those who visit

3) I will serve the ministry of my church by… discovering gifts & talents: 1 Peter 4.10, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.” being equipped to serve: Ephesians 4.11-12 developing a servant’s heart Philippians 2.5 & 7, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant…”

4) I will support the testimony of my church by… attending faithfully Hebrews 10.25, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Living a godly life Philippians 1.27, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” giving regularly 1 Corinthians 16.2, “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income…”

A follower of Jesus gives… Willingly -- Exodus 35:5; 36:5 Cheerfully -- 2 Corinthians 9:7 Regularly -- 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7 Responsibly -- Proverbs 3:9 Proportionately -- 2 Corinthians 8:12; Deuteronomy 16:17 Sacrificially -- 2 Corinthians 8:2, 3, 9 Generously -- 2 Corinthians 8:2; 9:6, 13

Next session Church structure How to become a member Denominational affiliation What’s next