church membership class

Becoming a Syzygus in Christ Church Member

At SCC we believe membership in a local church is important. We also feel the process in which a person becomes a member of a church is equally important.

The Qualifications of Membership

1. A personal commitment of faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior.
2. Scriptural baptism, since becoming a believer, as a testimony of salvation.
3. Completion of the church’s membership class – "Discovering Church Membership."
4. A signed commitment of agreement with and willingness to abide by the church membership Covenant.
5. Public affirmation before the other members of the church family.

Discovering Church Membership Class
The first step is to participate in the "Discovering Church Membership" Class. Offered several times throughout the year, this class has six sessions geared to helping you decide if SCC should become your church home. Although a requirement for membership, this class is designed solely to give people the opportunity to get to know us without any obligation or unsolicited follow-up.

What it Means to be a Church Member

The difference between "attendees" and "members" can be summed up in one word: commitment.
At SCC we recognize the need for a formal membership. We ask people to commit to membership for four reasons:
1. A Biblical Reason: Christ is Committed to the Church
"...Christ loved the church, and he gave his life for it." Eph. 5:25
If we want to follow Christ we should also be committed to the church.
2. A Cultural Reason: It is an Antidote to our Society
We live in an age where very few want to be committed to anything...a job...a marriage...our country. This attitude has even produced a generation of "church shoppers and hoppers." Membership swims against the current of America's "consumer religion" and encourages people to become contributors. It is an unselfish decision that demonstrates our love for others. Commitment always builds character.
3. A Practical Reason: It Defines Who Can Be Counted On
Every team must have a roster. Every school must have an enrollment. Every business has a payroll. Every army has an enlistment. Even our country takes a census and requires voter registration. Membership identifies our family.
4. A Personal Reason: It Produces Spiritual Growth
The New Testament places a major emphasis on the need for Christians to be accountable to each other for spiritual growth. You are more likely to be unaccountable when you're not committed to any specific church family. Living outside of accountability is a dangerous place to be.

The Bottom Line: Membership Involves a Partnership

What is SYZYGUS in CHRIST CHURCH's Part?

Our commitment to those who become members of SCC is that they and their families will be shepherded by the Elders and Staff.

1. We will embrace you as a member of our family. (I John 4:7-8)
2. We will equip you to mature spiritually. (Ephesians 4:11-16)
3. We will encourage you to stay on course in your relationship with God and care for you when you encounter trials and uncertainties. (Hebrews 10:23-25; Acts 2:42-47)
4. We will enrich your life by keeping you on a mission that has value and significance and invites God's presence into your life on a daily basis. (John 10:10; I Corinthians 1:4-9)

Definition of Shepherding

We believe and teach that the Scriptures are clear on the definition of shepherding the flock. We use words such as "lead," "feed," "heed," "guide," "discipline," "support" and "protect" as we summarize passages such as Acts 20, I Timothy 3, Titus 1, Ephesians 4, and I Peter 5. But we have to ask ourselves, "What does this mean for us at SCC?" We would like to suggest the following statements as criteria for measuring whether we have indeed "shepherded" the flock at SCC.

A person at SCC is considered "shepherded" when: (note - all these statements imply the inclusion of all family members.)

1. You have an opportunity to hear the clear Gospel, profess Christ as Savior, and be baptized publicly.
2. You have an opportunity to attend a Membership Discovery Class where our doctrine and philosophy of ministry are explained clearly, your questions are answered openly and with sensitivity, and you have had the opportunity to join the church.
3. You have the opportunity to engage in corporate worship with the Body at least weekly.
4. You are receiving a steady diet of Biblical teaching, both on Sunday morning and at other studies during the week.
5. You have access to personal discipleship, whether one-on-one or in a small or large group.
6. You have access to counsel and equipping concerning your spiritual gifts and callings, with opportunity for training in practical ministry skills.
7. You have the opportunity, once equipped, to engage in some sort of meaningful ministry.
8. You have regular access to information concerning the direction of the church, leadership decisions, and specific information concerning various church ministries.
9. You have access to the church leadership team for the purpose of registering questions, complaints, concerns, and suggestions.
10. You are prayed for regularly and have the opportunity to be involved in corporate prayer on a regular basis for others.
11. You have access to counsel and guidance concerning the major areas of your life: your walk with God, your marriage, family, job, finances, and other major decisions.
12. You have access to the leadership in times of great grief or needs such as funerals, weddings, etc.
13. You have opportunity to have regular supportive fellowship in a small group context and are held accountable for it.
14. You are checked on regularly for information regarding needs and concerns and are able to regularly share them with a member of the leadership team.
15. You are protected from defection from the faith by regular exposure of false doctrine through teaching and by being held accountable for your daily walk with Christ.
16. You are held accountable, admonished, confronted and even disciplined, if necessary, for your sake and for the sake of the Body.

What is Your Part?

At SCC we never ask our members to do more than the Bible clearly teaches. We only expect our members to do what the Bible expects every Christian to do. These responsibilities are spelled out in the Membership Covenant.
We don't want something from you; we want something for you.
Having accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and having been baptized since becoming a believer, and being in agreement with SCC's statements, strategy, and structure, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the SCC family and be shepherded. In doing so, I commit myself to God and the other members to do the following:

Exalting The Supremacy Of Christ

1. To pursue personal spiritual growth through time alone with the Lord in Bible study and prayer. (Philippians 2:12-13-/II Peter 3:18)
2. To participate in the weekly worship service(s) on a regular basis. (Hebrews 10:24-25/Acts 2:42)
3. To contribute financially to the church in a consistent manner as God enables. (I Corinthians 16:2, II Corinthians 9:7)

Experiencing Christ Through One Another

1. To join the family life of the church in a small-group context. (Acts 2:43-47)
2. To submit myself to the leadership of the Elders in matters of church policy, doctrine and discipline. (Hebrews 13:17/I Thessalonians 5:12-13)

Engaging In The Work Of Christ

1. To exhibit the servanthood of Jesus Christ by serving in the body according to my spiritual gifts(s) and God-given passion. (Romans 12:6/I Peter 4:10)
2. To support one or more of our commended missionaries by giving to, praying for, and communicating with them. (Philippians 4:13-16/III John 5-8)

Extending The Hope Of Christ

1. To share my faith personally. (Acts 1:8/II Corinthians 5:20a/II Timothy 4:5)
2. To support one or more of our commended missionaries by giving to, praying for, and communicating with them. (Philippians 4:13-16/III John 5-8)