Membership at Bethel
Some Reasons for and Advantages of Membership:
We call people who are committed to Christ to be committed to the body of Christ, the Church.
- you become an “owner” of Bethel’s mission and vision
- you help make decisions for your church by voting on ministry matters
- you become more accountable in your relationship with God
- you get to participate in elected ministry leadership
- you make public your private sense of belonging
- in a non-committal world, you set an example of commitment
We call people who are committed to Christ to be committed to the body of Christ, the Church.
The Membership Process at Bethel:
- Attend a Discovery Class (see Events to see if a class is coming up)
- Fill out this membership form - online or hard copy. (Request a hard copy of the form by contacting the church office)
- Visit with a couple of elders to hear a bit of your story and celebrate God’s work in your life. You are recommended for membership to the congregation at the next congregational business meeting and are received into membership.
We ask you to consider membership at Bethel for 3 reasons:
A CULTURAL Reason:
Membership is an antidote to consumerism in our society.
It seems almost trendy to think:
“You can love Jesus, but take or leave His church.”
Jesus was committed to the church.
Eph. 5:25 “Christ loved the church, and he gave his life for it.”
The logical question then becomes:
“If Christ is committed to the church, shouldn’t I be?”
“Won’t I love what he loves?”
Membership is an antidote to consumerism in our society.
It seems almost trendy to think:
“You can love Jesus, but take or leave His church.”
Jesus was committed to the church.
Eph. 5:25 “Christ loved the church, and he gave his life for it.”
The logical question then becomes:
“If Christ is committed to the church, shouldn’t I be?”
“Won’t I love what he loves?”
A PRACTICAL Reason:
Membership identifies those who identify with the church.
Non-members are not considered or treated as second class citizens! Not at all!
But membership does identify those who say to their church:
“Count me in” and “Count on me”
Membership identifies those who identify with the church.
- Every team has a roster.
- Every school has an enrollment.
- Every business has a payroll list.
- Every army has an enlistment.
- Even our country takes a census and requires voter registration.
Non-members are not considered or treated as second class citizens! Not at all!
But membership does identify those who say to their church:
“Count me in” and “Count on me”
A RELATIONAL reason:
Membership is a way of communicating your desire for committed belonging.
Consider the difference between dating and marriage. Good dating relationships lead to commitment in marriage.
2 SUGGESTIONS:
Membership is a way of communicating your desire for committed belonging.
Consider the difference between dating and marriage. Good dating relationships lead to commitment in marriage.
2 SUGGESTIONS:
- Date a church you think you can “marry”. (If not Bethel, then another.)
NOTE: Like any relationship, you may not agree on everything, but you should on what is most important. - Don’t “marry” till you’ve gotten to know each other. I recommend that you date Bethel for a few months before pursuing membership.