Practicing Commitment

Membership

What is membership at LIFEGATE?

If the local church is the embassy of God’s Kingdom on earth, then membership is both the declaration of Kingdom citizenship and the expression of that citizenship. When a person chooses to follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they are immediately given a new identity as a “saint” in Christ, a “citizen” of Christ’s Kingdom, and are subsequently called to be “members in the household of God.”

Romans 12:4-5

“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.”

Ephesians 2:19-22

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”

1 Peter 2:5

“You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 12:12

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”

Church membership is an intentional desire to be covenanted to a local church. It is:

  • The willing submission to the Lord of Christ and the leadership of the church.
  • The active participation in the formation of self and others through biblical practices and disciplines.
  • The stewardship of gifts of the Holy Spirit to love and care for one another and humbly defend the unity of the church.

Membership Practices

These are five distinct practices taught in Romans 12:9-13. These five practices are not legalistic standards for good church membership. Rather, they are given by God for all believers to live out the Christian life, which is to love God, love our neighbors, and make disciples. In all things, these practices must be anchored in genuine love, which is both the posture and practice to seek the highest good of one another.

Presence

We value the physical, spiritual, relational, presence with one another in our congregation, our home, and our lives.
Prayer – We value prayer, not as something the church does, but as who we are. We call the church to gather corporately and in homes for weekly prayer.

Prayer

We value prayer, not as something the church does, but as who we are. We call the church to gather corporately and in homes for weekly prayer.

Serve

We value the posture of Christ who came as a humble servant. As such we value serving both in the church, our neighborhoods, and our city.

Generosity

We value generosity with our financial resources. We believe that tithing is an act of obedience and worship. The life of a believer should be marked with radical generosity to the church, those in the church, to the poor, to the city, and to the world.

Hospitality

We value hospitality as a central practice of our faith. It is the primary way we cultivate the environment to build the church, redeem the dignity in all people, and engage the mission of God.

Interested in learning more?

See our Membership Resource Guide.

Interested in becoming a member?

Attend our next Welcome to Church for your next steps on how to become a member at LIFEGATE.