Continous Discipleship - Membership as Ministry

Prayer: Lord God, open our hearts and minds to your word for us. Give us wisdom and discernment to know what it is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and to live our lives in communion with other believers. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

A faithful member accepts Christ's call to be involved responsibly in the ministry of his Church. Such involvement includes
  • proclaiming the good news,
  • taking part in the common life and worship of a particular church,
  • praying and studying Scripture and the faith of the Christian Church,
  • supporting the work of the church through the giving of money, time, and talents,
  • participating in the governing responsibilities of the church,
  • demonstrating a new quality of life within and through the church,
  • responding to God's activity in the world through service to others,
  • living responsibly in the personal, family, vocational, political, cultural, and social relationships of life,
  • working in the world for peace, justice, freedom, and human fulfillment.     
                                               Book of Order G-5.0102

Membership in the body of Christ is a response to the call of Christ. In our own unique way, with our many and diverse gifts, we bring to bear on the world that same imprint God has made in our own lives through the person of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are more than members with benefits. We are disciples responding to the call of Christ

Therefore church membership is not the same as member in a club. There may be expectations of fellowship and intellectual stimulation, having access to pastoral care and building usage and amenities for which members will pay their “dues,” attend most regularly scheduled meetings and serve on the governing board when called upon to do so. This is not what it is to be a member of the church, the body of Christ.

Members are disciples responding to the call of Christ, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19) Participation in the life, worship, and sacraments of a church is not limited to members of that congregation.  

Prayer: Holy God, lead us by your Holy Spirit to live as to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. Lift us up as we seek to be obedient to the call of Christ in discipleship, that as we live and breathe, others may come to know God’s infinite love and mercy. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.