Church Membership at SCC
Bible study on “church”:
The Old Testament: From Genesis 12 onwards, we see God calling out a people for his own possession, who will reflect his character, be his light-bearers and bless the world.
We see evidence of the Trinitarian God, a God of community, with love at the centre in Genesis 1, John highlights this in his first chapter:
John 1:1-5
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
The New Testament: The church becomes the new “Israel”. The “ekklesia” (assembly) are those called out by God, redeemed by the blood of Christ, the whole company of Christian believers
Acts 2:42-47
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Luke shows us in Acts how that community should look in our local church
The Local church: In God’s purpose, the universal church is expressed in local churches which are to function as miniatures of the whole (Matt.18:17; 1 Cor. 16:19; 2 Cor. 8:24)
Since every believer is by definition a member of the universal church, s/he must make every effort to identify with the local expression of the body of Christ.
Each has a gift to be used in the building up of the rest in unity and harmony (Eph. 4:2-4,11,12; Col.3:12-16; 1 Cor.12:28-31; 1 Pet. 4;10,11)
The local gathering of Christians is to be regarded as the normal form for teaching, fellowship, communion, corporate intercession and worship (Acts 2:42). It is therefore not to be neglected or forsaken (Hebrews 10:24-25). Also, the church is commanded to discipline itself, withdrawing from those who whose belief or behaviour is not consistent with their participation in Christ. The NT makes it clear that divisions among Christians on lesser issues that the apostolic faith and practice are unspiritual (1 Cor. 3:3-4; 3 John 10) but where the gospel is at stake there is a place for discipline (Gal. 1:6-9; Rom.16: 17; 2 John 9-11)
The oversight of the church is to be in the hands of specifically appointed Christians who act as under-shepherds (1 Peter 5:2). They are to be selected on grounds of character (1 Tim. 3:1-3, Titus 1:5-9), pastoral and administrative abilities and competence to teach sound doctrine (Acts 20:17, 18). Such leaders are to be obeyed and respected for the work’s sake, provided they too are under scripture. They may be supported financially (1 Thess. 5:12-13; Heb. 13;17; 1 Tim. 5:17; 3 John 6,7)
The church is to be a reflection of the nature of God (1 Pet. 2:9) and the continuous example of his wisdom (Eph. 3: 9,10). The estimate that God puts on the church is very high indeed – see Eph: 5: 25-27) – so with all our imperfections we are growing together more like the Lord Jesus. We dare not discard or neglect our membership of the local body.
Jesus expected local companies of his people to be identifiable (Matt. 18:17) and the apostles wrote to churches that had a distinct membership (Rom. 16:5, 1 Cor. 16:19, 1John 2:19) Church membership properly occurs at the moment of new birth (1 Cor. 12:12, 13, 27). But this relationship needs to find specific outworking in a responsible commitment to a local church.
Membership can be seen as a covenant (agreement) between the individual Christian and his/her fellow Christians who form the body of Christ in a particular place. The church covenants to accept, nurture and care for the believer in all matters affecting his/her spiritual well-being. The individual believer covenants to committed participation in the life and work of the church. Our inwardly commitment to God should have an outward expression - the way we live and behave should reflect the body of Christ.
Membership of SCC:
Why should I think about membership?
- The bible expects Christians to be part of a local church, where they can worship, pray, learn, serve, grow and witness together and belong to a community that provides nurture, care and protection. Church is family and although families have issues, we should keep our accounts with God and each other regular. There is better protection in a flock, where the enemy is less likely to prey.
- Members of SCC play an important part in church life. Church members elect our leaders and make important decisions at quarterly church meetings.
What are the requirements for membership?
We would expect anyone wanting to become a church member to
- Be a true Christian who has made a personal commitment to follow Jesus Christ as their Savour and Lord. Our inwardly commitment to God should have an outward expression - the way we live and behave should reflect the body of Christ.
- Have had a believer's baptism
- Be committed to growing as a Christian being devoted to attending as regularly as possible when the church meets for worship, teaching, prayer, communion and fellowship
- Work hard at authentic, appropriate and lasting relationships within the church family being respectful of boundaries
- Agree wholeheartedly with SCC’s Vision Statement, Basis of Faith and Constitution
- Accept the leadership of the church Leadership Team
- Be involved in the life and work of SCC by serving in ways appropriate to age, experience and gifts
- Contribute financially to the church’s work as appropriate
- Commit to a small group, either a peer group or a homegroup