MEMBERSHIP

Church membership is an honor. In committing ourselves to a local church, we follow the biblical pattern for growing in Christ and making disciples. Membership is a covenant with fellow believers to follow Jesus faithfully and to participate in the Great Commission—proclaiming the gospel, discipling the nations, and baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The first church remains a great example of this truth. Their faith produced obedience. Their passion for Christ produced unity. Their affliction produced a dependence on prayer. They were empowered by the indwelling Spirit of God. They had each other and their discipleship was intimately tied to being a part of a local body of believers gathering in faithfulness, fully committed to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Church membership is a commitment to discipleship lived out in the context of a local church.

Over the years, our culture has tragically shaped an unbiblical understanding of church membership. The worldly perspective of membership makes it about perks, privileges, and access to comforts. Consequently, this mindset has seeped into the church. As a result, modern patterns of church membership have been shaped by self-centered expectations. As if the church existed for their comfort, their pleasure, only catering to their selfish needs. It appears worldliness of spirit is the prevailing mood in the typical church of the day. Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. This is an unbiblical view of membership—one that mirrors a club mentality: receiving rather than giving, being served rather than serving, claiming rights rather than embracing responsibilities, seeking privileges rather than making sacrifices. Even tithes are reduced to ‘membership dues’ instead of being offered joyfully to the Lord. We need look no further than our own hearts to discern whether this mindset has shaped our understanding of modern church membership. 

This is not a healthy understanding of church membership, nor is it the biblical pattern we uphold at Redeemer Bible Church.

Although Scripture does not mandate a formal system of church membership, it offers nothing that prohibits it. In fact, the New Testament provides abundant teaching that affirms the biblical pattern of church membership. Church membership is rooted in the biblical pattern of believers committing themselves to a defined community. Scripture consistently shows that Christians grow best when they walk alongside a local body of believers. Let us consider these scriptural truths. 

Genesis 2:18 begins, “Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone…’”. To this point every act of creation was deemed good and only one thing did God declare not good. In verse 18, God expresses his displeasure for man’s isolation, so he fashioned from man a helper. It was not good that man be alone. Man was not created to be these autonomous beings, living in isolation, and accountable to no one. Rather the human experience was intended to be lived out in fellowship. Only through authentic relationships with others can believers live out the faith we profess and become all that God has planned for each of us. We were designed for community. 

First Corinthians 5:1 calls out a man living in immorality. Paul unapologetically wrote the Corinthians and told them to exclude this man from their assembly. The emphasis is that one cannot formally exclude someone if he is not formally included in the first place. The early church was structured in such a way that people clearly knew if someone was “in” or “out” of the church. Paul cared “who was in” and “who was out.” He cared because the Lord Jesus himself had granted churches the authority to draw a line. Discipline is a clear indication that church membership was regarded as an honor to be upheld. 

First Corinthians 12:27–28 states “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church.” The Bible explains “members” figuratively. Each member represents an essential part in the whole body. Members of a church are gifted and functioning parts of the whole body. Some members are eyes while others are ears. Some members are feet, while others are hands. That is why Paul concludes: “For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12). Yet these members are not left unattended or function in isolation, but in a church where God has appointed.

Hebrews 10:24–25encourages “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near. The Biblical pattern instructs all believers to gather regularly (Acts 14:27, 1 Cor. 11:18-20; Heb. 10:24-25). The local church is essential for growth and maturity in Christ. It becomes the testing ground of the believer’s faith—a real‑life context where obedience to Jesus is practiced, refined, and held accountable (John 14:15; 1 John 4:20–21). The call is clear: believers are to make every effort to come together. It is a call to community.

Hebrews 13:17 instructs, “Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.” These words are addressed to a defined body of believers. The command assumes a recognizable group willingly submitting to the authority of their leaders—those entrusted with the care and oversight of their souls. Church membership helps to define clearly the members of the flock, thus giving the shepherd or the pastor indication of those whom he has spiritual responsibility. 

When we become a member of a local body of Christ, we are numbered among the greater body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27). If the local church is how Christians grow in Christ and bear witness to the good news of the gospel in the world, then it is clear the Bible calls every Christian to become a member of a local body of believers.

Jesus calls us to consider the cost of discipleship. When we commit ourselves to the body of Christ, we affirm our willingness to embrace that call. For this reason, entering into covenant membership is far more than simply attending a church. At Redeemer Bible Church, we believe that membership is a step of obedience—a deliberate commitment to walk in discipleship within a defined community.

To take covenant membership is to declare my devotion to personal spiritual maturity, recognizing that such growth requires the sacrifice of my time, my effort, and my heart for the building up of this body in Christlikeness.

When we become a member of a local church it is our commitment to growth in holiness through Jesus Christ (Eph. 5:18-20; Heb. 13:15; Acts 2:43; 1 Tim. 4:13). Membership calls us to serve one another and to bear each other’s burdens (1 Pt. 4:10-11; Gal. 6:2). It requires a level of accountability to each other to guard against the temptations to sin and false teaching (Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:7, 17; 1 Pt. 5:1-4). 

As a church member, we come together to join in Christian fellowship for the carrying out of our calling to the Great Commission. We gather as a local body of Christ to express this love through service, through forgiveness, through reconciliation, through encouragement, through equipping of the saints, through baptism, and through observance and participation in the Lord’s supper. Church membership becomes our grateful response to the life Jesus purchased for us through His death on the cross.

As a covenant member of RBC, we will faithfully toil in these key areas:   

Discipleship: A calling to a life that forsakes all in order to follow Jesus Christ. 

    Matthew 16:24 (NASB) — 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

    1 Peter 1:14–15 (NASB) — 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior.

    2 Corinthians 5:15 (NASB) — 15 and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

Prayer: A lifelong practice of communicating with God—adoring Him, confessing sin, giving thanks, and bringing our petitions before Him.

   Acts 6:4 (NASB) — 4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”

   1 John 5:14 (NASB) — 14 And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

   Colossians 4:2 (NASB) — 2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

Sanctification: The ongoing, supernatural work of God by which He conforms and grows believers into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ—who is holy and true.”

   Acts 17:11 (NASB) — 11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.

  John 17:17 (NASB) — 17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth.

  1 Peter 1:2 (NASB) — 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in fullest measure.

Stewardship: The call to be faithful and trustworthy stewards of our time, talents, and treasures.

  Luke 12:42–44 (NASB) — 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? 43 “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.44 “Truly I say to you, that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

  1 Corinthians 4:1–2 (NASB) — 1 LET a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. 

  1 Peter 4:10–11 (NASB) — 10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.11 Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

(1) Fill out the Redeemer Bible Church Membership form.

(2) Membership Interview - Once we receive your completed church membership form, an Elder or elder-appointed representative will reach out to set up a time for your interview. In your interview, we will seek to get to know you and answer any additional questions you might have.

(3) Membership and Baptism - Scripture presents a consistent pattern: baptism preceded being counted among the people of God. For this reason, all members of Redeemer Bible Church must be baptized before entering into membership. The Bible underscores the importance of baptism prior to being numbered with the body of believers.

   Acts 2:41 records, “So then, those who received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.”

   Acts 2:47 adds, “praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Once the Elders have given their approval, church membership may be extended. If baptism is needed, membership will be offered upon its completion.

First Thessalonians 4:3reminds us, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.”
God does not intend for any believer to remain unchanged, but to continually grow in holiness. 

Though it is not required for membership, we strongly encourage every new member to continue to pursue growth and maturity. This section is designed to support you in your discipleship as an active, healthy member of the body of Christ. As followers of Jesus, we pursue growth and sanctification. With that in mind, we have selected several resources to help you with this journey.

Resources: 

Fundamentals of the Faith. By John MacArthur. Course that clarifies the common pillars of the Christian faith. Sets a baseline of our unity found in Jesus Christ.

Scripture teaches us about membership in First Corinthians 12: ‘Now you are the body of Christ and individual members of it’ (1 Cor. 12:27). As members of Christ’s body, we are called to function faithfully—whether we serve as an ‘eye,’ an ‘ear,’ or a ‘hand.’ We use the gifts God has given us for the strengthening and growth of the local church. Membership itself is a gift.

When a person receives the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, they become part of the body of Christ. Every believer is called into faith to function as an active member. 

With this understanding, I covenant to identify with this local body. Membership is not only a privilege but a gift to live out our calling in faithful service of others. In taking this covenant, I recognize that church membership is a call to participate in something far greater than any one individual.

As a functioning member, I will give faithfully to the mission of the church. I will serve. I will submit to the shepherding of the elders. I will commit to grow and to nurture Christlike relationships through a life of discipleship. I will pursue spiritual maturity. I will be a source of unity. I will reflect the character of God through hospitality. I will pray for the leaders and for the church. I will promote and protect the unity of the body. I will actively pursue the calling of the Great Commission. I will humble myself in honor, service, and love for the church, seeking only the glory of His Name. May my life reflect reverence for Christ and a willing heart that delights to serve His people. 

I will regularly remember and celebrate the person and work of Christ through the ordinances of baptism and communion. I will participate in the life of Redeemer Bible Church by attending weekly services, engaging in Gospel‑centered community, and serving those within and outside this church (Acts 2:42–47; Heb. 10:23–25; Titus 3:14). By the help of the Holy Spirit, I will strive to grow in love for this church, for whom Christ gave His life.

Having been brought by the Holy Spirit to repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, according to the will of the Father, and having been baptized in faith in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,

We do now joyfully and solemnly covenant together.

By the gracious aid of God, we commit to trust and obey the Word of God, acknowledging its supreme and final authority, confessing, and defending the doctrines of the church. Striving for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort.