Policy Statement on Church
Membership
Grace Community Bible Church
Adopted January
2004
- We believe the New Testament requires local church elders, for the purpose of shepherding, to identify those people who are part of their local flock (Matt. 18:15-17; Acts 5:1-13; Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 5:1-13, 14:23-26ff; 1 Tim. 3:5; Heb. 13:17; 1Pet. 5:1-4).
- We believe the New Testament metaphors for the church (flock, temple, body and household) present a picture of the church that requires those who profess faith in Christ to make a formal, whole-hearted commitment to exercise their spiritual gifts within a specific local church (Acts 20:28-30; Ephesians 2:21; 1 Cor. 12; 1 Tim. 3:5, 15; 1 Pet. 5:1-4).
- We believe, therefore, that formal church membership is a good and acceptable procedure to encourage conformity to the biblical model outlined above. Those desiring membership will make a formal commitment to the worship, discipleship, discipline, leadership, and ministries of Grace Community Bible Church, and the elders will in turn commit to the shepherding, care and feeding of their souls. This process will result in strengthening the unity and purity of the body of Christ.
- We believe that knowledge of the worship, discipleship, discipline, leadership and ministries of Grace Community Bible Church is essential prior to making this membership commitment. Accordingly, those who desire membership must first attend one of our regularly scheduled Inquirers' Classes through which all of the distinctives of Grace Community Bible Church will be discussed in detail.
- We believe that the biblical principles achieved through formal membership are of such importance that we require anyone serving in any leadership capacity to be members of Grace Community Bible Church.