We belong to one another!
When God calls us to himself, he also joins us to his family. We are members together of his body. The church is described with images such as a family (1 Timothy 3:15), a body (1 Corinthians 12), a nation (1 Peter 2:9-10) or a building (1 Peter 2:5).
The church of Jesus Christ is made up of individuals who are different, but are connected to one another in a committed and mutually beneficial way for the good of one another, for the common good, and for God’s great purposes in this world.
Membership provides:
- A place to be known, even in our weakness and our sin. The grace of God in Christ Jesus and our adoption as God’s children give us freedom to be honest in community.
- A place to be loved and cared for. No one is meant to walk alone. Being part of a church community is how we walk together. We listen to one another and encourage one another. We make meals for each other and care for one another’s children. We share what we have with one another as God enables us.
- A place to grow. Young and old, from different cultures and backgrounds, we grow by seeing godly examples, by sharing the wisdom God has given us, by encouraging each other, by speaking the truth in love, and by teaching one another.
- A place to serve. God has called all of us to engage in His mission. Jesus says that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Every member of the body has received gifts that are meant to be used for God’s purposes–in the church, in our city, and in the world.
Covenant Community:
God is a Covenant God. He has bound himself to us in a relationship of solid commitment and steadfast loving kindness. We are also called to be a Covenant community. We are bound to one another. The way we go about this at New City Fellowship is through a membership process that includes making promises (or vows) to God and to one another. These promises are meant to give us the freedom to walk together in joyful unity as we follow Jesus together.
Membership Vows:
Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope except in His sovereign mercy? (Colossians 1:15-20, Isaiah 6:1-5, Ephesians 2:1-3)
Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel? (John 1:1-5, Matthew 9:9-12, Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 3:20-26, Romans 6:23, Romans 8:28-39, 2 Cor. 5:21).
Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will seek to live as followers of Christ? (Galatians 3:1-5, Galatians 5:16-26, Ephesians 2:10, Matthew 4:19, 1 John 2:6, 1 Peter 2:9-12).
Do you promise to support the Church in its worship and work to the best of your ability? (Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12:1-8, Hebrews 12:19-25, 2 Cor. 8:8-15).
Do you submit yourselves to the oversight and discipline (care) of the Church, and promise to pursue its purity and peace? (Hebrews 12:3-11, Galatians 6:1, Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Timothy 3:1-13, 1 Peter 5:1-5).
Next Steps:
If you are interested in church membership, please email Pastor Roy (rhubbard@ncfstl.org) and he will get you connected with a membership class.
Following our membership class, the elders would enjoy meeting with you to talk personally about your experience of God’s grace and church membership and to ask any questions you might have. We receive new members during our Sunday morning worship services. If you have not been baptized (Matthew 28:19, Romans 6:1-11), we will also be thrilled to have you baptized as a sign of God’s covenant faithfulness and the washing away of our sins by Christ.
