This weekend at Gateway we announced the winter semester Small Groups which will be journeying together through a sermon series and Bible study called Gospel in Life produced by Tim Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. Gospel in Life is an eight-week course on the gospel and how it is lived out in all of life— first in our hearts, then in community, and out into the world.
Because the gospel is central to everything we do at Gateway, we will be using these groups and this course as a path towards official church membership.
Those who complete all eight sessions will be invited to sign The Gateway Membership Covenant during a special service on Sunday evening, April 10th.
I have received a number of questions regarding membership at Gateway and I thought I'd share a few of my thoughts here.
To be a member of a church is to make a public promise to live according to scripture and to support the work of the congregation.
At Gateway, membership happens within the idea of "covenant". In Scripture a covenant, or public promise, was the basis for all society including marriage, employment and citizenship. A covenant implies a meaningful, accountable relationship.
Membership in a church is not like membership in a social club or other organizations. Most organization members are consumers; the organization exists to serve them. The Church of Christ is a completely different community. Covenant membership means ministry and service, going from being a consumer to becoming a provider of God’s love and care to others.
Covenant membership at Gateway is not so much about signing on a dotted line of beliefs, but rather joining a family that is seeking to share Christ with the world and with each other. The Gateway Membership Covenant is a stated commitment that we are living in community together and seeking to embody the values of our church in active expressions of love and service.
Who is the covenant between—me and God or me and Gateway? Both. As one people, we covenant with God. As a local expression of God’s church, we covenant together with each other. This means we covenant with each other and with God.
Why should someone covenant with Gateway? In the New Testament there is no such person as a Christian who is not a church member. Conversion was described as ‘the Lord adding to the church’ (Acts 2:47). By becoming a Covenant Member you are committing to be part of a spiritual family that will provide support and encouragement in your walk with Christ. It is a way of declaring that your commitment to Christ and His church is a serious reality in your life.
How can I become a Covenant Member? Uniting with a local congregation (which is the visible expression of Christ’s church) forms the final step in the process of initiation into the community of God. This process begins with personal faith in Christ as Savior and Lord, is publicly expressed in water baptism, and culminates in formal church membership.
What is the role of a Person in Covenant? How can I live that out? A Covenant Member both agrees to and commits to adopting our shared values and beliefs. Together, we covenant to love God, love one another and join God in the renewal of all things. Covenant Members keep each other accountable in loving relationships of mutual submission. Served by leadership, small groups and ministry teams we take care of one another and help each other to live the way of Jesus.
Formal membership entitles you to voting rights within the government of our church. While congregational meetings are open to anyone who wishes to attend, only members may pass resolutions, vote for changes to the by-laws or affirm the officers. Only formal members will be eligible for office.
What does this mean for me financially? This relational covenant will also have bearing upon our finances. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are family. Family members take care of and provide for one another (James 2:15-17). Moreover, we all must strive to give in a way that mimics the generosity and self-sacrifice that God Himself demonstrates in His own great gift of grace through His son (2 Corinthians 9:5-15). As a matter of faithfulness to these principles, we expect our members to be actively engaged in sacrificial giving of time and resources for the needs of the body of Christ (Phil 4:14-19). Regardless of the amount given, the importance lies in the fact that all giving should be done generously, sacrificially, and with joy. We will all strive to live in such a way that demonstrates that every area of our lives is submitted to the Lordship of Jesus. This will be evident in how we use our time, resources, and gifts.
If a person does not declare public membership at Gateway, will they be allowed to teach, lead a small group, play in the band, etc…? Informal members are a vital part of our congregation and will be allowed to serve and lead in a variety of ministries. Whether it is playing in the band, teaching or leading a small group – each will be handled on a case-by-case basis. With potential leaders we will especially look for those who embody the scriptural guidelines for leadership in 1 Timothy 3:1-7. A person’s willingness or unwillingness to declare formal membership will be one of many factors in this decision.