Membership Matters
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. – Acts 2:41-47
The Gospel makes us family
Jesus Christ has established His church to work out what it means to be in God’s family because we all have been adopted by the same Heavenly Father. Church membership is about a mutual commitment and partnership between you and your siblings in Christ to advance the Gospel as Rooted Church. By covenanting together, we unite together by faith to enjoy the Gospel of Christ, equip disciples in community, and engage the cities of the RTP. As Christians, we are called to joyfully set ourselves under the care and authority of a local church as the majority of the New Testament takes place within the context of the local church with spiritually qualified elders and deacons (1 Timothy 3). This happen through membership so that we can reflect God’s glory together.
Membership at Rooted Church is a commitment to live out our core Gospel identities as children of God the Father, servants of Jesus Christ and sent ones by the Holy Spirit in community with other faithful members of Rooted Church. Membership moves us from consumers to participants, from bench- warmers to players. It is an acknowledgment that our salvation in Jesus is not a private relationship but a public identity as well. We do this by joining the visible local church, an expression of God’s global church, and setting ourselves under its authority and care. Membership is a commitment to serve and partner with other members in the church and the leadership of the church to grow together in grace and love toward God and each other. We commit to encourage one another to be rooted in the Gospel to reflect God’s glory in our lives, our families, our church, our city, and our world.
10 Reasons Why Membership Matters
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Membership is biblical. Jesus established the local church and all the apostles did their ministry through it. The Christian life in the New Testament is church life. Christians today should expect and desire the same.
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The church is its members. To be “a church” in the New Testament is to be one of its members. We want to be part of the church because we are who Jesus came to rescue and reconcile to Himself.
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Members officially represent Jesus. Membership is the church’s affirmation that we are citizens of Christ’s kingdom and therefore card-carrying Jesus Representatives before the nations. We desire to be official Ambassadors of Christ. Closely related to this . . .
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Membership declares our highest allegiance. Our membership on the team, which becomes visible when we wear the jersey, is a public testimony that our highest allegiance belongs to Jesus. Trials and persecution may come, but our only declaration is, “We are with Jesus.”
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Membership embodies and experiences biblical images. Within the accountability structures of the local church, Christians live out what it means to be the “body of Christ,” the “temple of the Spirit,” the “family of God,” and so on for all the biblical metaphors (see 1 Cor. 12). In this, we experience the interconnectivity of his body, the spiritual fullness of his temple, and the safety, intimacy and shared identity of his family.
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Membership demonstrates how to follow Christian leaders. Membership helps us know which Christian leaders on planet Earth we are called to obey and follow. Again, it allows us to fulfill our biblical responsibility to them (see Heb. 13:7; 17).
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Membership helps Christian leaders lead. Membership lets Christian leaders know which Christians on planet Earth they will “give an account” for (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2).
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Membership enables church discipline. Membership gives us the biblically prescribed place to participate in the work of church discipline responsibly, wisely, and lovingly (1 Cor. 5).
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Membership gives structure to the Christian life. Membership places an individual Christian’s claim to “obey” and “follow” Jesus into a real-life setting where authority is actually exercised over us (see John 14:15; 1 John 2:19; 4:20-21).
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Membership builds a witness and invites the nations. Membership puts the alternative rule of Christ on display for the watching universe (see Matt. 5:13; John 13:34-35; Eph. 3:10; 1 Peter 2:9-12). The very boundaries which are drawn around the membership of a church yields a society of people which invites the nations to something better.
We are so glad you are considering membership at Rooted Church. At Rooted Church, we believe that membership in a local church is one of the most important decisions you can make and we would love the opportunity to walk you through that process! We believe that the church is a family and it would be such a blessing for you to join our family.
If you are interested in learning more or becoming a member at Rooted Church, please sign up for the next 3-hour class. By taking the membership class, it doesn’t make you a member automatically but it will provide you with a better understanding what membership looks like at Rooted Church. You can sign up at the Welcome Center on Sundays or contact Pastor Gary gary@rootedrtp.org.
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. – Hebrew 17:17
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This content was adapted and modified directly permission Jonathan Leeman.