"Christ loved the church, and gave Himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25; cf. Acts 20:28). Christ died to save you, and when you believed in Christ for salvation, He placed you into the church, that is, He made you one of the people of God.
If you are in Christ, you belong to an eternal and universal body made up of true believers and nothing can remove you from it. This is what we would call the "Universal church." In other words, no matter where you live you are a part of the church. On the other hand, this invisible and universal reality has a visible and local manifestation - the local church. God calls every Christian to be actively involved in a local gathering together of believers.
Unfortunately, the consumer mentality has crept subtly into the church and caused many Christians to falter in their commitment to the Lord's church. Christians many times look at the church in much the same way as people do a country club or a fitness center - they join, participate how, when, and where they want. Being a member means nothing more than you have the right to use the facilities however you please. Your involvement is arbitrary and unaccountable. It is not so in the Lord's church.
The following collection of Scripture will help you understand what the New Testament teaches about your responsibility to the church, and what we would expect of you if you choose to identify and belong to our church. Specifically, God calls you to faithfully participate in 11 functions within the life of the church.
God calls you to learn God's word in the church.
The question you want to ask about any church is, "Does this church faithfully uphold and teach the Word of the Living God so that I can learn and grow as a Christian in my walk with Christ?" If you became a part of our church, we would expect you to regularly attend the preaching of the Word of God by our Pastor/Teacher.
God calls you to worship with the church.
The question you want to ask about any church is, "Does this church have a proper understanding and practice of God-centered, Christ-exalting, Bible-soaked, well-arranged, pure-hearted, sincerely-reverent, skillfully-prepared, and appropriately-balanced worship?" If you became a part of our church, we would expect you to consistently participate in the worship of God with the congregation with a pure heart.
God calls you to fellowship with the church.
The question you want to ask about any church is, "Does this church have a commitment to one another in a way that demonstrates Christ's love and are they welcome to allowing me to join in that fellowship?" If you became a part of our church, we would expect you to involve yourself in the spiritual friendships that stimulate growth in Christ, and welcome others into this as well.
God calls you to minister to others in the church.
The question you want to ask about any church is, "Does this church present me with the opportunities to serve others in the capacities consistent with how God has gifted me?" If you became a part of our church, we would expect you to use your spiritual gifts for the mutual edification of the body.
God calls you to pray with the church.
The question you want to ask about any church is, "Does this church place prayer as a priority?" If you became a part of our church, we would expect you to pray for the church, its leaders, members, and its effectiveness to reach our mission in the world.
God calls you to submit to the leadership of the church.
The question you want to ask about any church is, "Does this church practice the Biblical form of church government, are its leaders qualified according to 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, and are they leading the church according to its purpose as described in Scripture?" If you became a part of our church, we would expect you to support and follow the direction, leadership, and teaching of the Elders, promising never to do anything that would fracture the unity of the church nor to teach others contrary to the doctrinal position of the church as described in the Doctrinal Statement.
God calls you to be accountable to the church.
The question you want to ask about any church is, "Does this church practice church discipline and will they hold me accountable to my commitment to Christ as described in the Bible?" If you became a part of our church, we would expect you to attempt to live out your commitment to Christ and be open to loving rebuke and correction if you ever stray. We want you to understand that if you are undergoing formal church discipline, which (only as a last resort) we would use to provide the highest form of Biblical accountability, you would not be able to remove your membership from our church until the process is complete.
God calls you to be equipped in the church.
The question you want to ask about any church is, "Does this church help its members to become more useful and effective for Christ and His people by training them for service?" If you became a part of our church, we would expect you to strive for greater effectiveness in service and ministry.
God calls you to give to the church.
The question you want to ask about any church is, "Does this church provide the opportunity for me to give of my time, talents, and treasures for the ongoing support of the ministry of this church, and are they accountable stewards of the money that you invest for time and eternity?" If you became a part of our church, we would expect you to give consistently, cheerfully, sacrificially, and proportionately for the furthering of our church's ministries.
God calls you to witness with the church.
The question you want to ask about any church is, "Does this church have a vision and plan for reaching the lost for Christ?" If you became a part of our church, we would expect you to do your part to proclaim the Gospel of Christ in your sphere of influence (job, neighborhood, etc.), and join with us as a church in supporting those who do the same locally and around the world.
God calls you to participate in the ordinances of the church.
There are two ordinances outlined in the church that we are to perform in memory and obedience to Christ, until He comes:
- Public Confession of Faith in Christ through baptism - the public declaration of commitment to Christ through testimony and water baptism to picture the death to sin and new life in Christ.Acts 8:30-38 (Matthew 28:19-20)
- Celebrating and Remembering the Lord's Death through communion - the broken bread and poured out wine symbolize the broken body and shed blood of Christ on our behalf, which is pictured in a memorial way to reflect together on the One whose death for us makes salvation possible.1 Corinthians 11:23-29
The question you want to ask about any church is, "Does this church regularly practice these ordinances, and are they properly understood as being symbolic and memorial, with no enabling power within them to aid the sinner?" If you became a part of our church, we would expect you to properly practice these as outlined in the Bible, and if you have not been baptized, you would seek to fulfill your obedient commitment as soon as possible.
Conclusion
The New Testament knows nothing of a Christian who is not a member of a church, committed to belonging and participating in those activities described above. You are taking this class because you are interested in learning more about Calvary Bible Church, and if this is a place that you would be interested in committing in the areas described.
We recognize that no person and no church perfectly fulfills all of these responsibilities all of the time. What is described above is our direction and goal, which we hope to grow in more faithfully through your faithful ministry and support, with God's help. We pray that God will lead you to identify and belong to His church, wherever it meets.
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Please see our position statements for more complete information on what we believe:
How to get Involved with Calvary Bible Church.
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