Membership

The Universal Church 

The Universal Church comprises of churches or the body of Christ of all ages in every geographical location or worldwide. In position every Christian belongs to the Universal Church. By function every Christian must belong to a Local Church. The Body of Christ is composed of all true believers in Christ (Romans 12:5 ‘So we being many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another’). Non-Believers are not part of the body of Christ; therefore, it would seem that God keeps a “Membership list” of who is in the Church. We see just such a list in (Rev. 20:12;’The Lamb’s Books were opened. And dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged according their works, by the things, which were written in the books’). If the Universal Church has a membership roll in heaven, I definitely think it would be appropriate for local churches to maintain a list of members on earth! Hence this application in Anchor City Church International. Local Membership: Church Membership is God’s idea not man. In John 10 Jesus spends time talking about the shepherd and the sheep. Every sheep needs a shepherd and a fold so they can be properly looked after – every sheep needs a home. Every Christian needs a base or a home.

They need someone who can be accountable for them before God (Hebrews 13:17); hence the local Pastor, the shepherd. Church membership is a way of officially identifying oneself with a local body of believers. Being in a Local Assembly is also a statement that as a child of God you are in agreement with that local church and are willing to be identified as a representative of it. Church membership is valuable for organisational purposes as well and a good way of determining who can make important church decisions, and be involved in official church positions and functions. Church membership then, is a statement; “I am a Christian and I believe in this Local Assembly ie Anchor City Church International because I believe I have been planted here for a reason. My destiny is tied to the assembly and I believe I will bear fruit” (Psalm 1) In belonging to a local assembly ie ACCI your gifts are developed and used in service for God’s glory.

Membership in the local church is illustrated strongly in Acts 2:46-47 (‘so continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved’). This verse indicates that salvation is a prerequisite for being added to the church and in Anchor City Church International it’s our core value to seek that, potential members are saved before membership and progressed to becoming fully participating members within the church. One can however continue to be a guest or attender of the church till they are ready to take on membership. Making a commitment to join a church locally builds your character, it shows that you are wholeheartedly committed to the only institution that Christ started – the Church. This also satisfies your need to devote yourself to the noblest purpose and most worthy cause on earth. It is great to know not only do you belong to God, but also set in God’s family and ACCI in particular, to work with God and His family to achieve His Kingdom mandate. When a person trusts Jesus Christ for salvation, he or she is made a member of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). For a church body to function properly, all of its “body parts” need to be present (1 Corinthians 12:14-20). Likewise, a believer will never reach full spiritual maturity without the assistance and encouragement of other believers (1st Corinthians 12-21-26). For these reasons, church attendance, participation, and fellowship should be regular aspects of a believer’s life. Weekly church attendance is in no sense a requisite for salvation, but someone who belongs to Christ should have a desire to worship God, receive His Word, and fellowship with other believers on a consistent basis according to Hebrews 10:25. 

Process of Membership 

1. Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ 

2. Understanding Baptism by Immersion in water & Baptism in the Holy Spirit 

3. In Agreement with the Local Church – ACCI • Vision & Mission Statement • Statement Of Faith • Core Values 

4. Statement on Soul winning 

5. Stewardship Principles; • Statement on the use of gifts, skills and talents • Statement on Payment of Tithes, Giving of Offering and other Kingdom giving 

6. Biblical Principle on Involvement in church activities starts a lifelong, adventurous journey with Christ.

 It is exciting to know that not only are you a Christian but one who is committed to the cause of Christ’s Kingdom through the Local Church – ACCI. As such you can rest assured that just as you have committed to seeking first God’s Kingdom and righteousness your needs and all other things shall be added unto you according to Matthew 6:33. If church membership is what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place. In ACCI we teach what it means to “See as God Sees and Love as God Loves” along with what it means to be a member at ACCI. In ACCI we teach Kingdom Principles and highlights the importance of serving and giving to the Kingdom, local church and the community. 

You will understand New Creation Realities; 

– Who you are In Christ 

– Why you’ve been called In Christ (and Placed In the Local Assembly) 

– What God wants you to do In Christ and Christ through you

 – What God wants you to have In Christ 

– How to affect your world and generation 

– At the End; You will know the Provision, Peace, Power and Protection you have in Christ 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Participate in the life of the church – live in grace, commit to growth, join a Life Group near you. 

• Use of your gifts and practise of good stewardship and commitment in the area of Finance & in the Payment of Tithes 

• Personal purity as you develop your relationship with the Lord • Relational integrity 

• Organisational loyalty 

• Personal maturity 

PRIVILEGES: 

• Influence key decisions of the church 

• Join a ministry or department 

• Access to leadership roles 

• Priority of facility/ premises usage 

• Priority of Pastoral team members’ time – counselling, personal support, weddings, funerals, etc.