MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
Ephesians 2:19
INTRODUCTION
One of the most recognizable advertising motto’s says “MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS PRIVILEGES”
Some of you carry a couple of cards in your wallet that give you certain privileges not available to the “general public.”
One card might be a ‘Costco’ card. It identifies you as a member at the warehouse superstore and enables you to purchase in bulk for less than what you would pay elsewhere.
Second might be a membership in the ATV Club which provides members access to trails and other functions.
Other memberships could include the Rotary, library, or a card that allows you to rent videos and movies.
One thing is common, membership is optional; it is a choice. Non-members of the library can still go and spend time reading books.
Membership has it’s privileges; it provides benefits not available to the “general public.’
Many of the same things can be said about church membership. The church is hardly a club (although sometimes you may wonder. . .), and the church is not a store (although some folks may choose a local church like a grocery store. . .).
Membership has its privileges; church membership is optional, but highly recommended.
Last week we discussed the church as a family. Today, I want us to take a fresh look at what it means to be a committed member of the family.
Many people have a wrong concept of Church membership, for example;
Some people think that Membership in the Church is not something you have it something you do, like a a social club issues a membership; all you need to do is pay your annual dues or show up a the occasional meeting
Sometimes we the church are guilty of the same kind of thinking
Others take the attitude that if they attend church regularly, give in the offering then that entitles them to membership?
But is that what membership is?
There are those who contend that membership is unnecessary since a born again beliver is already part of the body of Christ.
1. WHAT IS CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Church membership should be thought of in terms of a commitment to a community of believers and its leadership ‘as untoi the Lord’ and not a legalistic biondage of some kind.
The Apostle Paul mentions two types of commitment in 2 Corinthians 8:5
they (A)gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
The first commitment a person makes is to the Lord Jesus for salvation and then you commit youraelf to other Christians for membership in our church family.
Jesus said that our love for each other was to be a mark of discipleship. This love is practically demonstrated when we commit ourselves to the church.
Church membership is not something to fear. It is simply a bond of Christian fellowship and love. It is a means of wholesome unity among brothers and sisters who share faith together in Jesus.
In groups of three look up the following references, and briefly discuss the common description each verse gives about the church:
Acts 8:1; 11:22; 1 Cor.1:2; 2 Cor.1:1; 1 Cor.4:17
In each New testament case, the church is referred to as an individual group of believers who were meeting together. They met together, worshipped together. Served together. And supported one another. They were COMMITED to each other and not isolated from one another.
Last time we discussed, the Question what is the church? We learned that the church is a family. Just as there are benefits being part of a family, there are benefits to being part of a church family. Let’s review them quickly,
1. It identifies a person as a genuine believer ( Eph. 2:19; Romans 12:5)
2. It provides a spiritual family to support and encourage you in your walk with the Lord ( Gal.6:1-2; Hebrews 10:24-25;)
3. It gives you a place for you to dsicover and develop your spiritual gifts in ministry ( 1 Cor. 12:4-27)
4. It places you under the spiritual protection of godly leaders ( Heb.13:17; Acts 20:28-29)
5. It gives you the spiritual accountability you need to grow in faith ( Eph.5:21)
In this session we want to answer two more questions: what are the responsibilities of membership; what are the requirements of membership
With privileges comes responsibilities. By joining a church we agree to enter a covenant in which we acknowledge our relationship to God and to one another.
If the church is to grow and prosper and have God’s bl;essing upon it, then members must recognize their mutual responsibilities and be faithful in assuming them.
Rick Warren writes that Unlike membership in clubs or other organizations, church membership is not a way that we gain some sort of special access. Rather, it is a COVENANT made between fellow Christians to establish and uphold one another in our journey as Christ’s disciples.
The most important part of a wedding ceremony s when the bride and groom exchange their vows. Tihis covenant between them is the essence of marriage.
In the same way the essence of church membership is contained in the willingness to commit to a covenant of membership.
MEMBERSHIP COVENANT OF HPC
As a member of the church I join with me fellow brothers and sisters to
1. PROTECT HE UNITY OF HPC
o By acting in love towards one another - Rom 14:19; Rom 15:5
So then let us (A)pursue what makes for peace and for (B)mutual upbuilding….May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you (A)to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
o By refusing to gossip - Eph 4:29
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give (B)grace to those who hear.
o By following the Leaders – Heb 13:7
Remember (A)your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and (B)imitate their faith.
2. SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HPC
o By Praying for it’s growth – 1Thess 1:2
We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly[a] (B)mentioning you in our prayers,
o By inviting the unchurched to attend – Luke 14:23
And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.
o By warmly welcoming those who visit – Rom 15:7
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
3. SERVE THE MINISTRY HPC
o By discovering their gifts and talents – 1 Peter 4:10
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, (B)as good stewards of God's varied grace:
o By being equipped to serve – Eph 4:11-12
And (AA)he gave the (AB)apostles, the prophets, the(AC)evangelists, the (AD)shepherds[c] and teachers,[d] 12 (AE)to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for (AF)building up (AG)the body of Christ,
o By developing a servants heart – Phil 2:3-4, 7
3 Do nothing from (A)selfish ambition or (B)conceit, but in (C)humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you (D)look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others…. but (A)emptied himself, by taking the form of a (B)servant,[a] (C)being born in the likeness of men.
4. SUPPORT THE TESTIMONY OF HPC
o By attending faithfully – Heb 10:25
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and (B)all the more as you see (C)the Day drawing near.
o By living a godly life – Phil 1:27
let your manner of life be (B)worthy[a] of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you (C)that you are standing firm in one spirit, with (D)one mind(E)striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
o By giving regularly – Lev. 27:30; 1:Corinthians 16:1; 2 Cor 9:6-7
“Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the LORD's; it is holy to the LORD.
Now concerning[a] (A)the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On (B)the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up,(C)as he may prosper,
whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[d]will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, (L)not reluctantly or under compulsion, for (M)God loves a cheerful giver
Membership has its privileges. And responsibilities but it is also your choice.
Imagine two country clubs. The first has a strict set of rules and only allows in people who have earned their membership. They have to accomplish something, obtain superior wisdom, or fulfill a long list of demands and requirements to qualify for entry. Despite their best efforts, lots of people just won’t make the grade and will be excluded. In effect, this is what other religious systems are like.
But the second country club throws its doors wide open and says, "Anybody who wants membership is invited inside. Rich or poor, black or white, regardless of your ethnic heritage or where you live, we would love to include you. Entry is based not on your qualification but only on accepting this invitation. So we’ll leave the matter up to you. You decide. But remember, we will never turn you away if you seek admittance." That’s what Christianity is like.
Which country club is being snobbish? Christians aren’t being exclusive; they’re being inclusive. They’re not being haughty; they’re being egalitarian.
Lee Strobel, God’s Outrageous Claims, pp. 192-193
Before we talk about the requiresments of membership, I want us to understand a little about HPC itself.
Havelock Pentecostal church has been serving this community since 1936. It had humble beginnings as a result of street meeting that were conducted at the corner of CTy46 and hwy 7. A nucleus of believers proceeded to gather in homes for prayer when Pentecostal revival began to spread.
This small group grew until in 1940 the present church was constructd.
Over the decades, HPC has been known for its childrens ministries, worship, and missions emphasis. This still remains the focus of the church in the 21st century.
Havelock Pentecostal Church is affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. The PAOC is a fellowship of 1100 churches and ministries that has been giving Pentecostal wiotness in Canada for over 100 years. There are 700 pplus missionaries around the world and in Canada.
The foundation opf what we believe and practice is found in our belief statement.
Here is an abbreviated statement of what we believe as a church,
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We believe in the Bible as the inspired Word of God and as our final authority (II Timothy 3:15-16; II Peter 1:20-21)
We believe in the only living and true God, eternally existing in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19)
We believe in the creation of humans by God and their total depravity through sin (Genesis 1:27; Hebrews 2:6-7; Romans 5:12; Jeremiah 17:9)
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ; in His virgin birth; in His sinless life; in His miracles; in His vicarious and atoning death; in His bodily resurrection; in His ascension and in His High Priestly Ministry (John 1:1; Isaiah 7:14; I Peter 1:22; Acts 2:31-33; Hebrews 7:24-25)
We believe in justification by faith and the new birth as essential for personal salvation (Galatians 1:16; John 3:5-7)
We believe in the infilling of the Holy Spirit, with the initial physical evidence of speaking with other tongues, which gives power for service, and is manifested in the fruit and the gifts of the Spirit (Acts 1:8, 2:4; Galatians 5:22-23; I Corinthians 12-14)
We believe that divine healing for the body is provided by Christ’s death (Isaiah 53:4; Matthew 8:16-17; James 5:14-16)
We believe in the observance of the ordinances of Christian Baptism by immersion for believers, and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:37-38; I Corinthians 11:23-26)
We believe in the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (II Timothy 4:11; Acts 1:11; I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
We believe in the eternal destiny of individuals in either Heaven or Hell according to their acceptance or rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour (John 5:28-29, 14:2-3; Revelation 20:6, 11-15)
Our belief statement serves as the foundation for our mission and purpose,
The mission and purpose of HPC is drawn from Jesus great commission, and great commandment, and states
We see a Spirit filled COMMUNITY of faith who are passionately pursuing
Loving God by CELEBRATING with each other in worship
Loving others by CONNECTING with one another in fellowship and discipleship
Serving our world by CARING for others as we
SERVE together in ministry,
SHARE the message of Jesus our Savior, Healer, Baptizer and Coming King , and
SUPPORT the mission at home and abroad.
IN A NUTSHELL
We are a Spirit filled community of faith, called to help people of all ages become devoted Spirit filled followers of Jesus who Love God, love others and love life.
So, finally, what are the REQUIREMENTS to becoming a member of Havelock Pentecostal Church? At HPC there are 4 requirements of membership
First, a personal profession of Christ as Lord and Savior
Second, Be in agreement with the faith Statement , and mission statement of HPC
Third, Be 18 years of age, and been in regular attendance for no less than 6 months
Four, be willing to attend a membership class and or interview with the pastor and leadership.
Show Video ‘Welcome to my Church”
Close by reviewing membership packet.
Pray
RESOURCES
Rick Warren, Purpose driven Life
Membership Information Booklet and LLC of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
Membership has its Privileges, R.Ebie/ Sermoncentral
